Panama · Income requirement

Panama residency income requirement for US citizens

Short answer

Retirees with a $1,000 lifelong pension get permanent residence straight away. US citizens can also qualify through Friendly Nations with $200,000 in property or a deposit, and remote workers can stay up to 18 months.

Money needed, route by route

Short-stay remote-worker visaAt least $36,000 a year; an employer letter must show at least $3,000 a month
Leads to: Nothing directly: you'd need to qualify for another category
Permanent residence for retireesA lifelong pension of $1,000 a month, or $750 if you own Panama property bought for over $100,000
Leads to: Already permanent; your years count toward citizenship from the start
Friendly Nations residence$200,000 in Panama property, or a $200,000 three-year deposit at a Panama bank
Leads to: Permanent residence after 2 years, if you still qualify
Qualified Investor residence$300,000 in new property, $500,000 in securities, or a $500,000–750,000 deposit
Leads to: Already permanent

Every route's full requirements → The full Panama guide →

Questions people ask

How much income do I need for the short-stay remote-worker visa in Panama?

At least $36,000 a year; an employer letter must show at least $3,000 a month

How much income do I need for the permanent residence for retirees in Panama?

A lifelong pension of $1,000 a month, or $750 if you own Panama property bought for over $100,000

How much income do I need for the Friendly Nations residence in Panama?

$200,000 in Panama property, or a $200,000 three-year deposit at a Panama bank

How much income do I need for the Qualified Investor residence in Panama?

$300,000 in new property, $500,000 in securities, or a $500,000–750,000 deposit

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