Panama Residency by Investment via Bank Deposit

Q: What is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?

It is a permanent residency program in Panama created under Executive Decree 722 (and related amendments), allowing permanent residency through qualifying investments such as real estate, securities, or a fixed-term bank deposit.

Q: How long does processing take?

Once a complete application is filed, the program is designed for fast processing (often targeted within ~30 working days), but real-world timing can vary based on document readiness and appointments.

Q: Can dependents join?

Yes. Typically spouse, children under 18, unmarried dependent students aged 18–25, and dependent parents may be eligible (documentation required).

Q: Is the interest on the deposit taxed in Panama?

Interest on time deposits with banks established in Panama is commonly treated as exempt income under Panama tax rules, but individual circumstances vary—confirm with a qualified tax advisor.

Secure Panama permanent residency through a regulated fixed-term bank deposit with capital stability and expert guidance from XIPHIAS.

Book a Free Consultation Download Brochure

At a glance

Quick facts

Minimum investment: $750,000; Currency: USD

Typical timeline: 3 months; From application start

Highlights

Panama
Panama Bank Deposit Residency
Panama Residency by Investment
Panama Qualified Investor Visa

Program

Program specifics

Route type: Residency By Investment / Bank Deposit (Fixed Term Deposit); Eligible residency pathway

Last updated: Jan 22, 2026; Subject to regulatory change

Information is indicative and may change; confirm current terms with an advisor.

Program overview

The Panama Bank Deposit residency route is part of Panama’s Qualified Investor Permanent Residency framework. It grants permanent residency to foreign investors who place a qualifying fixed-term deposit with a Panamanian bank holding a general license, supported by specific bank certifications and proof that the investment funds came from abroad.

This route is best suited for applicants who prefer a capital-stability focused investment structure versus market-linked investments.

Investment overview

To qualify through the Bank Deposit route, you must:

Open a fixed-term deposit (CD) of at least USD 750,000 with a general-license Panamanian bank.
Ensure the deposit is lien-free and properly documented by the bank.
Maintain the deposit for a minimum of 5 years.

Costs & proof of funds

Costs & funds

Program fees & proof of funds

Estimated program totals

USD: $750,061

Required proof of funds

USD: $750,000

Detailed fee table

Program fee breakdown with price, timing and notes.
Item	Price	When	Notes
Minimum Fixed-Term Deposit	$750,000	Before submission	Open a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 750,000 (B/.750,000) with a Panamanian bank holding a general license. The deposit must be free of liens and funded from abroad.
Investment Holding Period	$60	After approval	Maintain the qualifying fixed-term deposit for a minimum of 5 years (60 months) to avoid cancellation of permanent residency.
Minimum Presence (to keep PR active)	$1	Every 2 years	As a practical maintenance rule for Panamanian permanent residents, plan to enter Panama at least once every 2 years to keep status active (subject to SNM rules).

Swipe horizontally to see all columns.

We’ll share a personalized cost sheet after your pre-screen.

Estimates only — final costs may vary by case & government updates.

Proof of funds

Proof of Lawful Source of Funds & Foreign Origin$750,000
Banking/legal/financial documentation showing the deposit funds originate legally and were transferred from abroad.

Required (USD): $750,000

Figures are indicative and may change with family size, project selection and program updates.

Official

Government fees

Total (USD): $12,000

National Treasury - Application Fee (Main Applicant)
Government fee payable to the National Treasury for the main applicant under the Qualified Investor rules.
$5,000
National Immigration Service - Repatriation Deposit (Main Applicant)
Repatriation deposit payable to the National Immigration Service for the main applicant (typically refundable subject to rules).
$5,000
National Treasury - Application Fee (Each Dependent)
Government fee payable to the National Treasury per dependent (if included in the application).
$1,000
National Immigration Service - Repatriation Deposit (Each Dependent)
Repatriation deposit payable to the National Immigration Service per dependent (typically refundable subject to rules).
$1,000

Official fees (payable to the government)

Item	Amount	Notes
National Treasury - Application Fee (Main Applicant)	$5,000	Government fee payable to the National Treasury for the main applicant under the Qualified Investor rules.
National Immigration Service - Repatriation Deposit (Main Applicant)	$5,000	Repatriation deposit payable to the National Immigration Service for the main applicant (typically refundable subject to rules).
National Treasury - Application Fee (Each Dependent)	$1,000	Government fee payable to the National Treasury per dependent (if included in the application).
National Immigration Service - Repatriation Deposit (Each Dependent)	$1,000	Repatriation deposit payable to the National Immigration Service per dependent (typically refundable subject to rules).

Government fees are set by the issuing authority and may change without notice. We’ll confirm current rates during onboarding.

Eligibility

Be at least 18 years old and legally admissible.
Clean police clearance certificate (apostilled/authenticated as required).
Open a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 750,000 (B/.750,000) in a Panamanian bank with a general license.
Deposit term must be at least 5 years and free of liens/encumbrances.
Provide notarized copy of the fixed-term deposit certificate and a bank certificate confirming deposit details and that funds came from abroad.
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity recommended).
Health certificate from an authorized doctor (issued recently).
Proof of lawful source of funds and evidence the funds came from abroad.
Pay required government fees and provide proofs of payment.

Key benefits

Immediate permanent residency upon approval (Qualified Investor framework).
Option to apply for an E-Cédula (Panamanian resident ID) after approval, subject to local procedures.
Eligible dependents can be included (spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, subject to documentation).
Eligible to apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years of residency, subject to legal requirements.
Low-volatility investment structure relative to market-linked options (subject to bank and interest-rate risk).
Interest on time deposits in Panama is commonly treated as exempt income under Panama tax rules (confirm with your tax advisor).

Checklist

Document checklist

15 total items

Documents vary by profile and family composition; we'll tailor your final list.

Identity & Civil

4 items

Valid passport (all applicants)
Passport-size photos
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Birth certificates for children (if applicable)

Documents may require apostille/authentication and certified translation.

Police & Health

2 items

Police clearance certificate (apostilled/authenticated)
Certificate of good health (issued recently)

Requirements depend on where you apply and your country of residence.

Investment - Bank Deposit Route (Fixed-Term Deposit)

3 items

Notarized copy (by the issuing bank) of the fixed-term deposit certificate showing holder, amount, and term
Bank certificate stating existence of the deposit, holder, amount, term, lien-free status, and confirming the funds came from abroad
Supporting bank account opening/KYC documents (as required by the bank)

These are route-specific documents required for the bank deposit option.

Funds Transfer & Source of Funds

3 items

Bank letter(s) confirming transfer/receipt of funds from abroad
Bank statements showing the transfer trail
Affidavit or supporting documentation showing lawful source of funds

Must demonstrate the investment funds' legitimate source and foreign origin.

Dependents (if applicable)

3 items

Relationship proof (marriage/birth certificates)
Student certificate for dependent children aged 18-25 (if applicable)
Dependency evidence for parents (if applicable)

Additional documentation may apply depending on the dependent category.

Snapshot

Eligible dependents

3 of 4 categories included

IncludedNot included

Spouse: Included
Yes
Children: Up to 25 years25
Yes
Parents: From 0+ years0+
Yes
Siblings: Not included
No

Application process

Process

How it works

5 steps

Step 1: Step 1 - Eligibility Assessment
For a preliminary eligibility assessment and guidance, the candidate gets in touch with XIPHIAS.
GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks
Step 2: Step 2 - Bank Deposit Setup & Documentation
XIPHIAS supports the candidate in coordinating the fixed-term deposit setup, KYC, and assembling route-specific bank certificates and supporting documentation.
GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks
Step 3: Step 3 - File the Application
Authorized local representatives work with XIPHIAS to submit the Qualified Investor permanent residency application to the Panamanian authorities.
GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks
Step 4: Step 4 - Background & Funds Verification
Panamanian officials verify admissibility, source of funds, and the qualifying bank deposit documentation.
GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks
Step 5: Step 5 - Approval & Permanent Residency Card
Upon approval, the applicant receives permanent resident status and completes local procedures for residency documentation and ID processes.
GuidedAvg. 2–4 weeks

Disclosure

Risk & compliance

Please read carefully. These notes are informational and do not constitute legal or financial advice.

Risk notes

4 items

Bank and regulatory risk: while generally low, banks can face financial/regulatory issues.
Early cancellation/withdrawal can trigger cancellation of permanent residency if not reinvested under the program rules.
Interest-rate risk: yields may change over time; confirm the deposit terms and renewal options.
Residency and investment rules may change; ensure documents and deposit structure are compliant at filing.

Approved projects

Government-approved developments or investment options vetted for eligibility and exit horizons.

Panama Fixed-Term Deposit (CD) - Qualified Investor Route
Min buy-in
750,000 USD
Hold period
60 mo
Qualifying fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian general-license bank, documented with required bank certifications.

Cost estimator

Calculator

Cost estimator

Indicative estimate. Excludes exchange/transfer charges and third-party legal costs. Official fees may change without notice.

Choose a base option

Minimum Fixed-Term Deposit$750,000

Family size

Adults (incl. principal)

Children (<18)

Government & due-diligence fees

Government Fees (Main Applicant)
$10,000
1 × $10,000 = $10,000
Travel & Relocation Costs
$8,000
1 × $8,000 = $8,000
Professional & Legal Fees
$15,000
1 × $15,000 = $15,000

Summary

Minimum Fixed-Term Deposit

fixed • Qty 1

$750,000

Government Fees (Main Applicant)

fixed • Qty 1

$10,000

Travel & Relocation Costs

fixed • Qty 1

$8,000

Professional & Legal Fees

fixed • Qty 1

$15,000

Estimated total

$783,000

Key Benefits

Immediate permanent residency upon approval.
Ability to apply for an E-Cédula (Panamanian resident ID), subject to local procedures.
Family inclusion for eligible dependents.
Potential eligibility to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency (subject to legal requirements).
A more conservative investment structure compared to securities/market routes (subject to bank and interest-rate risk).

Document Checklist

Basic documents typically include:

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity recommended).
Completed application forms and personal history/background declaration.
Passport-size photos.
Police clearance certificate (apostilled/authenticated as required).
Certificate of good health.

Bank-deposit route documents typically include:

Notarized copy (by the issuing bank) of the fixed-term deposit certificate showing holder, amount, and term.
Bank certificate confirming the deposit exists, is lien-free, and that the funds came from abroad.

If applying with dependents: marriage certificate, birth certificates, and dependency documentation (including student proofs for adult dependent children where applicable).

Risks And Compliance

Risks:

Bank and regulatory risks, although generally low.
Interest-rate changes can affect the deposit yield.
Program rules may change over time.

Compliance:

Provide proof of the legal origin and foreign origin of funds.
Maintain the deposit for the required period.
Submit accurate documentation for all applicants and dependents.
Follow residency maintenance rules (including practical re-entry expectations for permanent residents).

Application Process

Step 1: For a preliminary eligibility assessment and guidance, the candidate gets in touch with XIPHIAS.
Step 2: XIPHIAS supports the candidate with bank deposit setup and documentation.
Step 3: Authorized local representatives submit the Qualified Investor PR application.
Step 4: Authorities verify background, funds, and investment documentation.
Step 5: Upon approval, the applicant receives permanent residency and completes local issuance steps.

Faqs

What is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
It is a permanent residency program in Panama obtained through a qualifying investment (e.g., real estate, securities, or a bank deposit) under the Qualified Investor framework.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be 18+, have a clean criminal record, be in good health, and prove a lawful source of funds.
Can dependents join?
Yes. Typically spouse, children under 18, students aged 18-25 who are financially dependent, and dependent parents may be eligible (documentation required).
How do I qualify via the Bank Deposit route?
Open a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 750,000 with a general-license Panamanian bank for a minimum 5-year term, submit the required bank certificates, and maintain the investment for the required period.

Who this program is NOT for

Criminal record or inadmissibility issues.
Failure to prove the lawful source and foreign origin of funds.
Deposit not meeting program conditions (amount/term/bank license/lien-free status).
Early termination of the deposit or failure to maintain the qualifying investment for the required period.

Not a match? Explore other programs in Panama.

Frequently asked questions

It is a permanent residency program in Panama created under Executive Decree 722 (and related amendments), allowing permanent residency through qualifying investments such as real estate, securities, or a fixed-term bank deposit.

Open a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 750,000 (B/.750,000) in a Panamanian general-license bank for a minimum term of 5 years, and submit the required bank certificates and immigration documents.

Once a complete application is filed, the program is designed for fast processing (often targeted within ~30 working days), but real-world timing can vary based on document readiness and appointments.

Yes. Typically spouse, children under 18, unmarried dependent students aged 18–25, and dependent parents may be eligible (documentation required).

Interest on time deposits with banks established in Panama is commonly treated as exempt income under Panama tax rules, but individual circumstances vary—confirm with a qualified tax advisor.

Explore