Ecuador joins the Friendly Nations list
Since September 1, 2026, Ecuadorian nationals can apply for Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa. Executive Decree 16 of 2026, published in Official Gazette 30601-B, rewrote the list of countries in article 2 of Decree 416 of 2012, which now has 51 countries.
The requirements did not change.
What the decree did
It replaced the list of countries for the third time. The 2021 list had 50 countries; the new one keeps them all and adds Ecuador. The economic ties that qualify you are the same: a job, real estate of B/. 200,000 or a fixed deposit of B/. 200,000 for three years.
Executive Decree 16 of 2026, article 1
A reminder about work
The decree recalls in its recitals that being on the list does not exempt anyone from the MITRADEL work permit. If you want to work in Panama, plan both applications together.
Executive Decree 16 of 2026, recitals
Not on the list
Italy, India, China and Russia are not on the 51-country list. Italian citizens have a separate treaty path.
Executive Decree 16 of 2026, article 1
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