The laws behind the Friendly Nations Visa
The visa was created by Executive Decree 416 of 2012. Its current requirements come from Executive Decree 226 of 2021, and its current list of 51 countries from Executive Decree 16 of 2026, which added Ecuador.
The general rules on fees, cards and documents are in the Immigration Law, Decree-Law 3 of 2008, and its regulations, Executive Decree 320 of 2008.
Decree-Law 3 of 2008
The Immigration Law. It creates the National Immigration Service and sets the general requirements to file, the B/. 250 fee and the B/. 800 repatriation deposit, the exemption of children under 12 from the deposit and the grounds to cancel a permit.
- General requirements, article 28
- Exemption from the deposit, article 29
- Cancellation of permits, article 31
- Legal time limit to decide, article 34
- Identity document for foreigners, articles 139 and 140
Official Gazette 25986, February 26, 2008. In force with later amendments.
Executive Decree 320 of 2008
The regulations of the Immigration Law. They set the processing card, the multiple entry visa, the rules for dependents, the apostille and translation of documents and the table of fees.
- Processing card, article 16
- Dependents, articles 224 to 226
- Apostille and translation, article 247
- Multiple entry visa, article 264
- Table of fees, article 315
Official Gazette of August 13, 2008. In force with later amendments.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012
Creates the permanent residency subcategory for nationals of specific countries, known as Friendly Nations. Its article 4 sets who can come as a dependent, and its article 5 asks applicants to follow Panamanian law in their activity.
- Creation of the subcategory, article 1
- Dependents, article 4
- Compliance with local law, article 5
- Filing only before Immigration, article 6
Official Gazette 27058-A, June 18, 2012. In force; articles 2 and 3 replaced in 2021.
Executive Decree 197 of 2021
Amended Decree 416 to add new investment options and created the two-year provisional stage.
Official Gazette 29290-A. In force from August 7, 2021, as set by Decree 226.
Executive Decree 226 of 2021
Rewrote articles 2 and 3 of Decree 416: the list of countries and the three economic ties that qualify you, a job, real estate of B/. 200,000 or a three-year fixed deposit of B/. 200,000.
- Country list, article 1
- Provisional permit and requirements, article 2
- Start date, article 5: August 7, 2021
Official Gazette 29335, July 21, 2021. In force.
Executive Decree 16 of 2026
Rewrote the country list again, now 51 countries, adding Ecuador. Its recitals recall that the visa does not exempt you from the MITRADEL work permit.
Official Gazette 30601-B. In force since September 1, 2026.
Executive Decree 17 of 2026
Not a Friendly Nations rule, but often compared with it. It replaced the Qualified Investor rules: B/. 300,000 for new property, B/. 500,000 for resale property.
Official Gazette 30613, September 16, 2026. In force from its publication.
A summary helps you find the rule; the official text is what counts. Where a decree has been amended several times, we cite the wording in force and say which decree gave it.
Not sure which rule applies to your case? Send us your question and a Panamanian immigration lawyer will answer with the article.
Free consultationFree 15-minute call
Not sure where to start?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will confirm your eligibility and the route that fits you best.
- A signed contract
- An invoice for every expense
- Licensed attorneys
