The Panama Qualified Investor Program offers global investors a compelling route to obtain residency — and ultimately citizenship — in the vibrant Latin American economy of Panama.
Under this scheme, a foreign national can make the required investment and qualify for permanent residence via the qualified investor Panama track.
With its strategic geographic position, dollarised economy and favourable tax regime, Panama presents an attractive option for high-net-worth individuals seeking diversification of residence and mobility.
Why Consider the Panama Qualified Investor Program?
Investing through the Panama Qualified Investor Program brings multiple benefits:
- Permanent residency status shortly after approval, allowing you to live, work and study in Panama. According to the official outline, permanent residence is granted within approximately 30 business days following approval.
- The eligibility to include your dependent family members (spouse, children under certain ages) under the same application.
- A path to citizenship: After five years of legal residence under the qualified investor route, you may apply for naturalisation.
- A low physical-presence requirement: Investors under the qualified investor Panama route must visit Panama only once every two years for at least one week to keep the residence status active.
- A favourable tax regime: Panama operates a territorial taxation system, meaning income earned outside of Panama is generally exempt from Panamanian tax for residents.
- Mobility advantages: With permanent residence and eventual citizenship, investors access visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries and benefit from Panama’s strong banking and financial environment.
Requirements and Investment Thresholds
To access the qualified investor Panama option, certain criteria must be met:
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Funds invested must originate from abroad and a clean criminal record is required.
- No minimum language or education requirements are specified for the initial residency application under this route
- The investment threshold: Often noted at US $300,000 in a project such as a hospitality development.
- One visit to Panama every two years for at least one week is required to maintain status.
It is worth noting that other independent sources list multiple investment routes within the broader Panama Residence by Investment framework: real estate US$300,000, securities US$500,000 or bank deposit US$750,000 among them.
The Role of Mercan
Mercan Group has formed a formal partnership with the Government of Panama to promote the Panama Qualified Investor Program globally.
According to their website, Mercan is backing the programme and offering eligible investors the opportunity to invest in their hospitality-project portfolios in Panama as the qualifying vehicle.
Mercan’s involvement adds value in several ways:
- They bring structured investment projects aligned with the programme’s criteria (for example hospitality developments).
- Their global experience and existing investor network provide support for administrative, due-diligence and application-process logistics.
- Their partnership with Panama’s authorities gives the offering an added layer of credibility and channel access.
For anyone considering the qualified investor Panama route, engaging an experienced facilitator such as Mercan helps simplify the process, ensure compliant investment vehicles and manage documentation.
Benefits In Practical Terms
Here are some of the practical advantages of the programme:
Family Inclusion
You may include your spouse, your unmarried children under 18, and unmarried financially dependent children aged up to 25.
Dependents are also eligible for the residence benefits.
Global Mobility And Residence
Once granted permanent residence, you and your dependents can live, work and study in Panama.
After five years you may apply for citizenship, gaining a Panamanian passport and associated travel privileges.
Low Residency Burden
Unlike many residence-by-investment schemes that require prolonged residence in the country, the qualified investor Panama route requires only one week every two years.
This makes the program flexible for business travellers or global citizens.
Tax Efficiency
Residency in Panama under this scheme lets you benefit from a territorial tax system: income derived outside Panama is usually exempt from local income tax.
This can be a major incentive for entrepreneurs and investors with international portfolios.
Investment Security
Panama offers a stable political and economic environment, a dollar-based economy and strong banking infrastructure.
Investors under the Panama Qualified Investor Program thus access both residency and a gateway into Latin America’s trade and services hub.
Things To Keep In Mind
While the qualified investor Panama route is attractive, potential participants should consider the following points:
- Although the programme grants permanent residence, citizenship is not immediate; it comes after approximately five years of legal residence.
- The investment must be maintained for the required holding period. In some sources this is five years.
- Although the physical presence requirement is minimal (one week every two years), you still need to maintain the legal residence status and comply with immigration rules.
- Dual citizenship is not formally recognised by Panama in some cases—investors should check how naturalisation may affect their existing citizenship(s).
- Qualified investment vehicles and projects must meet the regulatory criteria. Working with an experienced partner (such as Mercan) becomes an important part of due diligence.
- Costs beyond the principal investment (legal, professional fees, due-diligence, government fees) need to be factored into your budget.
Who Should Consider This Route?
The qualified investor Panama programme is well-suited to:
- High-net-worth individuals seeking residency and future citizenship in a Latin American jurisdiction.
- Global entrepreneurs with international income streams looking for tax-efficient residency.
- Business professionals who travel frequently and require minimal stay obligations.
- Families looking for a stable residency base with global mobility, but who may wish to reside part-time elsewhere.
- Investors who prefer to partner with an established facilitator (such as Mercan) for streamlined investment migration.
Next Steps
In summary, the Panama Qualified Investor Program (qualified investor Panama) offers a highly flexible, efficient route to permanent residence — and eventually citizenship — in Panama.
With an investment (typically starting around US$300,000) and minimal stay requirements, it opens up access to a dynamic economy, favourable tax regime and growing global connectivity.
The involvement of Mercan Group provides a structured investment vehicle and trusted facilitation, helping to smooth what can otherwise be a complex international application process.
If you are considering the programme, the recommended next steps would be:
- Assess your investment readiness and the relevant investment vehicle type (e.g., hospitality project, real estate).
- Engage an experienced advisor or facilitator (for example through Mercan) to review the project, perform due-diligence and confirm programme compliance.
- Prepare your personal documentation: passport, proof of funds, due-diligence checks, clean criminal record, etc.
- Submit your application to Panama’s immigration authority as soon as you select your investment vehicle.
- Complete the investment, fulfil the visit requirement and keep your residence status in good standing with the view towards applying for citizenship after five years.
Acquiring a second legal residence — and potentially citizenship — via the qualified investor Panama route represents a strategic move for many international investors.
With the backing of Mercan, you gain access to tailored investment options, simplified application steps and a strong partner in navigating the process.
