Residence by Investment in Latin America: Start With the Route That Grants Permanent Residence Directly
You want a base in Latin America, and you want a route that is open today and checked on an official page. Panama is the first route we list, with permanent residence granted directly from B/.300,000. Residence is not a passport, and the rules can change.
Official pages that do not agree
Choosing a Latin America route feels like comparing brochures that disagree. Panama replaced its rules in September 2026, and the ministry's own programme page still shows older figures. Guides copy whichever number they find first.
What it looks like from the outside:
- A programme page with older amounts than the ministry news.
- A deposit that moved from any licensed bank to two named state banks.
- Different minimums for new property and for resale property.
How it feels:
- You worry about quoting the wrong amount.
- You feel unsure whom to trust when two official pages disagree.
- You fear moving funds on a rule that has already changed.
You do not have to sort out the figures alone
We know how hard it is to invest when the official pages disagree. You want someone who has read the decree news and the programme page, tells you honestly when a route does not fit, and stays your point of contact from first question to filing.
What we have done:
- 35+ years in immigration and investment migration
- 25,000+ families guided since 1991
- 3rd Generation in the immigration industry
- 2026 Canadian Choice Award winner
What we believe:
- Honesty first: we tell you when a route does not fit, before you move money.
- Checked rules: every figure here comes from an official source and carries a date.
- Your plan, not a template: the right route depends on your goals, your family and your funds.
We believe a plan to live abroad should rest on a rule you have checked, not a brochure you have read.
What you get
| Feature | Benefit | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A route checked on official pages | You compare a route that exists, not one from an old guide | You stop worrying about a closed door |
| A dated status board | You see what changed and when | You decide on current facts |
| Plain route labels | You see whether a route is an investment or an income test | You do not confuse residence with an investment you cannot recover |
| Family rules on the programme page | You see who can be included | Everyone you worry about is accounted for |
| One point of contact | You deal with us, and we bring in a local partner when your case is qualified | You never chase several firms in several countries |
Which route suits you?
Start with the country, then check the route against your funds. Panama is the route we list in Latin America today, and we add others only after their official pages.
| Route | Type | Entry amount | What counts | One rule to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama Qualified Investor Programme | Investment residence | B/.300,000 (new property), B/.500,000 (resale property or fixed-term deposit) | Property, a deposit at Banco Nacional de Panama or Caja de Ahorros, or securities | Keep the investment 5 years and file proof each year |
By country.
- Panama: the Qualified Investor Programme.
Is Latin America right for you? Residence is not citizenship
A good fit if you want a long-term base and can document your funds. The route lets you live in the country. It does not give you a passport.
| A good fit if | Consider another route if |
|---|---|
| You want permanent residence in Latin America and keep your first passport | You want a second passport within a few years |
| You can show where your funds come from | Your funds cannot be documented |
| You can keep an investment for 5 years | You need your money back on a fixed date |
For a passport route, read Citizenship by investment. For the full comparison, read Citizenship vs residency by investment.
Risks to read before you move any money
Every route has a rule that can end it or stop it before it starts.
- Funds that cannot be documented. A file without clean proof of where the money came from fails.
- Investments you must keep. Panama asks you to keep the investment for 5 years and file proof each year.
- Rules about visits. Decree 17 of 2026 sets no minimum stay. Earlier rules asked for a visit at least once every 2 years, so confirm the current rule before you plan travel.
- Rules that change. Panama replaced its rules in September 2026, and an older page still shows old figures.
- No guarantee. No route promises a result. We give no investment or tax advice.
Your path in three steps
Three steps from your first answers to your residence.
- Step 1: Find your route. Use Find my program. You get a shortlist of routes and a cost view for your family in a few minutes.
- Step 2: We do the heavy lifting. We qualify your case and check your funds, family and documents. When your case is qualified, we bring in the right local partner in the country you chose.
- Step 3: Your residence in hand. The authority decides, you keep the conditions, and you file your yearly proof on time.
Status: what changed and when
Reviewed 22 October 2026 on official government pages. Every route on this page is checked on an official source.
| Programme | Status | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| Panama Qualified Investor Programme | Changed | Executive Decree 17 of 8 September 2026 replaces the 2020 framework. New property stays at B/.300,000, and the fixed-term deposit is B/.500,000 at two state banks |
What could change: thresholds, banks and securities options. What we do about it: we re-read the official page before each update and show the date.
Two possible futures
A year from now, you may still be comparing guides that disagree. You hold several brochures and no date on any of them.
Or your family has residence in the country that fit, your route is one that exists, and your file went in clean. You feel relieved, and you chose on facts you could check.
The cost of staying put: routes and rules change, and each change can add cost or close a door.
Your ultimate success:
- Relieved: your family has a base in Latin America
- Confident: you chose a route that is open today
- Protected: your family is covered together
- In control: you decided on your terms, with the facts
Which route fits your family?
Answer eight short questions and the finder ranks all 17 residence programmes against your goals, funds and family. You see your shortlist and the cost for your family first, and a form only if you want it emailed with a fact sheet.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases. 3rd generation in the immigration industry. We bring in qualified local partners in each country, so you deal with one accountable team from first question to filing.
One point of contact
We qualify your case first, then bring in the right local partner. You deal with us throughout.
A strategy built for your family
We match routes to your goals, funds and family, not a template.
Application accuracy
Document and source-of-funds review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track rule, fee and regulator changes across every program for you.
End-to-end support
From your first question to your permit in hand, we guide every step.
Proven track record
2026 Canadian Choice Award winner, trusted since 1991.
What our clients say
Real reviews from clients we have guided across borders.
Frequently asked questions
What is residence by investment in Latin America?
Residence by investment is a residence status granted because you invest in the country, run a business there, or show steady money. In Latin America we list Panama, where it grants permanent residence. It does not make you a citizen.
Which Latin America routes do you cover today?
Panama’s Qualified Investor Programme, checked on official pages. We add other routes after their official pages.
How much do I need to invest in Panama?
B/.300,000 in new first-sale property, or B/.500,000 in resale property or a fixed-term deposit at Banco Nacional de Panama or Caja de Ahorros (B/.750,000 at a private bank).
Is permanent residence the same as citizenship?
No. Permanent residence lets you live in the country. This route does not give you a passport.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. The ministry page says the investment can extend to your spouse, children and qualifying parents. Your local partner checks each person’s documents before you file.
How long does it take?
The ministry page says about 30 working days under the established procedure. It is an estimate, and we tell you what we know about the queue before you commit funds.
Will my application be approved?
No route promises approval, and we make no approval claims. What we control is the file: a route that exists, documented funds and clean documents. We tell you before you pay if your case does not fit.
What do you do, and what does the local partner do?
We qualify your case, check your documents and stay your point of contact. When your case is qualified, we bring in a local partner in the country, who files your application.
Can you help with property, a company or a bank account?
Yes, through local partners. For the property routes we introduce you to local property partners, and we arrange a company, a corporate bank account and tax registration with partners, so you deal with one point of contact. We give no investment advice and quote no returns, and local partners may pay AIA for introductions.
Why are some Latin America programmes not listed?
Every route we list is checked on an official government page, and we add others as they pass that check.
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Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Last updated: 22 October 2026
