Panama Residency by Investment

Panama Residency By Investment
Reforestation Visa

About Panama

Panama is a small, beautiful country located in Central America; bordered by the Caribbean on the North, the Pacific Ocean on the South, and connected by the infamous Panama Canal. While mountainous terrains and rich forest canopies cover half the country, this tropical paradise also offers over 1550 miles of coastline with some of the world´s most spectacular beaches.

Panama is the fastest growing economy in the Americas and has become a well-known international hub for business and living. With the highly developed banking sector, sophisticated infrastructure for commercial and financial activities, and the territorial tax system, Panama is on the list of top offshore jurisdictions for businesses and investors.

Current president:
Laurentino Cortizo

Government:
Constitutional democracy

Economy:
Services sector including the Panama Canal, banking, commerce, and the Colón Free Trade Zone

Currency:
US Dollar

Capital City:
Panama City

Population:
Over 4.2 million

Language:
Spanish

Tax system:
Territorial Tax System

Members of:
United Nations, Inter-American Development Bank, OAS (Organization of American States)

Panama Reforestation Visa Benefits

Green
Investment

Investing in a forestry project is investing in an eco-friendly, sustainable green investment that offsets the impacts of deforestation and creates a positive and social impact on our rainforests, environment, and local communities.

Tax
Incentives

Reforestation projects offer many tax incentives including tax exemption on harvested wood for 25 years, inclusive of export taxes as well as any capital gains tax. Property taxes levied against the land will be tax-exempt for the duration of the reforestation project. Panama is a tax-friendly jurisdiction that offers legal tools to reduce your global tax liability to retain more of your wealth.

Panamanian
Residency Permitted

With a minimum investment of USD 100,000 into an approved forestry project, investors can obtain permanent residency in Panama within 3 years, and ultimately obtain Panamanian Citizenship within 8 years. Panama offers an express visa option where applicants can invest a minimum of USD 350,000 and obtain residency in 30 days.

Eligibility

Applicants proceeding with the residency by investment program in Panama must be at least 18 years of age and hold a clean criminal record. Applicants are required to provide personal documentation such as passports, national IDs, birth and marriage certificates, proof of funds along proof of direct investment into an approved forestry program.

Full Requirements Checklist

Investment Options

Permanent Residency: With an investment of USD $100,000 into an approved forestry program for a minimum of 8 years, investors can obtain permanent residency status within 3 years. Each additional dependent requires an additional investment of USD $2,000.

Permanent Residency Express: With an investment of USD 350,000 into an approved forestry program for a minimum of 8 years, investors can obtain permanent residency status within 30 days. Each additional dependent requires an additional investment of USD $2,000.

Addtional Fees

Process

The residency process is broken into 2 main categories: provisional residency and then permanent residency.

1. Speak with one of our advisors to determine the best solution for you and your family. We will discuss the various residency options along with the process and investment options of each program. We offer tailored solutions to assist and meet your goals.

2. We will conduct our initial due diligence check to ensure that you do not currently hold any criminal charges and are eligible to proceed with the Panama Residency program. To process the initial due diligence check, a copy of passports for all applicants over 16 and proof of address (such as a utility bill) is required.

3. Offshore Circle requires a non-refundable retainer to supply application forms and work on your application file.

4. Once you have reviewed and chosen your forestry Project, Offshore Circle will assist you with the investment and acquisition of the land. Each project offers investors the choice of titling the land to the owner´s personal name or purchasing shares of the corporation which owns each parcel.

5. Offshore Circle will provide a customized and itemized list of requirements to ensure you meet and comply with all requirements set by Panama Residency program.

6. Step 1: submit the residency application and obtain 6-month temporary residency status. Immigration will review and approve the application within the 6 month period

Step 2: return to Panama upon application approval to obtain 2 year provisional

7. Step 3: resubmit the residency application with updated documentation a few months prior to the expiration of the 2-year provisional status. At this point, you will again receive 6-month temporary residency status. Immigration will review and approve the application within the 6 month period

Step 4: Return to Panama upon application approval to obtain permanent residency status

Speak with one of our Residency Advisors

Speak with one of our advisors to determine the best solution for you and your family. We will discuss the various residency options along with the process and investment options of each program. We offer tailored solutions to assist and meet your goals.

Initial due diligence check

We will conduct our initial due diligence check to ensure that you do not currently hold any criminal charges and are eligible to proceed with the Panama Residency program. To process the initial due diligence check, a copy of passports for all applicants over 16 and proof of address (such as a utility bill) is required.

Initiate Offshore Circle´s Services

Offshore Circle requires a non-refundable retainer to supply application forms and work on your application file.

Proceed with investment

Once you have reviewed and chosen your forestry Project, Offshore Circle will assist you with the investment and acquisition of the land. Each project offers investors the choice of titling the land to the owner´s personal name or purchasing shares of the corporation which owns each parcel.

Gather required documentation

Offshore Circle will provide a customized and itemized list of requirements to ensure you meet and comply with all requirements set by Panama Residency program.

Submit your application: Provisional Residency

Step 1: submit the residency application and obtain 6-month temporary residency status. Immigration will review and approve the application within the 6 month period

Step 2: return to Panama upon application approval to obtain 2 year provisional residency status

Approval: Permanent Residency

Step 3: resubmit the residency application with updated documentation a few months prior to the expiration of the 2-year provisional status. At this point, you will again receive 6-month temporary residency status. Immigration will review and approve the application within the 6 month period

Step 4: Return to Panama upon application approval to obtain permanent residency status

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find approved forestry projects?

Offshore Circle assists throughout the process from the initial investment to securing our permanent ID. We offer various forestry projects throughout Panama.

Will I obtain citizenship?

Permanent residents can apply for naturalization after 5 years of maintaining residency status and obtain a strong passport allowing visa-free access to over 127 countries. Applicants must pass an exam covering Panama´s politics, economy, and history and pass an interview to qualify.

Can I include my family members in my application?

Yes, main applicants can include their spouse, children up to the age of 25, and the main applicant´s parents.

What countries or nationalities are restricted from proceeding with the residency application?

Panama does not impose any restrictions on their reforestation visa.

What medical conditionals are exempt?

Applicants who have a contagious disease such as HIV, will not be eligible to proceed with the residency application.

Where should I obtain my police report from?

Police reports must be obtained from the applicant´s country of citizenship or the country of residency (provided they have a valid ID issued more than 2 years ago to show proof of residence)

What does apostille mean?

Apostille/authentication is the process of legalizing the document for international use. Apostille services are available in member countries of the Hague Convention

Can I sell my forestry program after the 8 year period?

Indeed, Panama required applicants to maintain their forestry investment for a period of 8 years. Applicants can choose to sell their investment after 8 years without affecting their permanent residency status. Offshore Circle offers economically guaranteed buy-back options for forestry projects.

Will I receive a return on my investment?

Teak (the majority of our forestry projects are teak plantations) has become a premier choice of wood and as the global supply diminishes, demand has significantly increased. History shows the trends will continue to grow and strengthen, proving teak to be a safe, long- term investment.

How do I make the payment for the costs and fees?

Offshore Circle offers many payment methods including credit card, transfer, Crypto, and PayPal. The investment however, must be done via wire transfer.

Will I get my money back in case of denial?

Proof of investment is required prior to the residency application process. Offshore Circle thoroughly reviews the applicant´s documentation in advance to ensure the successful submission of the application.

Will I be taxed on my income?

Reforestation projects offer many tax incentives including tax exemption on harvested wood for 25 years, inclusive of export taxes as well as any capital gains tax. Property taxes levied against the land will be tax-exempt for the duration of the reforestation project. Panama does not tax on worldwide income, wealth, or on inheritance.