Small Business Investor Visas:

Panama Small Business Investor Immigrant Visa Program

Who Qualifies?:

     Small Business Investors, their spouses and their dependents (children under 18).

Requirements:

     The individual must invest at least US$150,000 in a qualified small business employing at least three Panamanians.  The business can be an existing, ongoing operation, or a new start-up.  The minimum investment requirement is increased by US$4,000 for each dependent (spouse, children) if applicable.

Benefits:

     Panama is a good place to do business, and an excellent location for conducting international business.  Panama's economy is on the upswing after a three-year recession.

     A one year provisional investor visa is issued, and after one year, the investor and spouse and dependents are issued permanent residency.  After five years' residence, the investor, spouse and dependents are eligible for Panamanian naturalization and citizenship, if desired.

Drawbacks:

     There is a good deal of paperwork and documentation required.  Getting the necessary paperwork and documentation authenticated (via apostil or Panamanian consul) for the provisional visa application is onerous.  All documents must be in order before submission to the Panamanian government.  Most documents from abroad require an apostil, or a certification from the Panamanian consulate.  The visa process requires a lawyer, a CPA, and a notary.  The Panamanian government is sometimes slow in processing the applications and granting the provisional visas.

An Overview of the Process:

     We will provide you with a checklist of all required documentation* for processing the visas, as well a specific power of attorney authorizing us to process your visas.  We will also provide you with a standard letter of responsibility, wherein you take financial responsibility for your spouse and dependents (if applicable).  You must procure all required, authenticated documentation, and send it to us, along with the signed power of attorney.  We'll take care of the rest.

     The provisional visa process will require at least one face-to-face visit with the Panamanian immigration authorities by the investor, spouse and dependents (if any), as well as an examination by a licensed Panamanian doctor.  Additional meetings with the immigration department may be required.  We will accompany you, of course, to all meetings.

Our Services:

     We provide investor immigrant visa services to a wide variety of clients, primarily for those who also use us to set up corporations and foundations.  Our fee for processing, submitting and overseeing the entire provisional (good for one year) investor visa process (including review of all documents, submission preparation, application, follow up and follow through, etc.) is US$1,450.00 for the investor, US$400.00 for the spouse, and US$200.00 for each dependent.  Our prices do not include the initial Panamanian Immigration Service security bond (US$500.00 for each applicant 12 years of age or older), nor the Immigration Service application fee of US$100.00 per applicant, regardless of age.

     Our fees include all legal fees, CPA certification, Notary affidavits, Panamanian physician exam fees and the blood test fees per applicant,  Panamanian police record for investor and spouse, Public Registry Certificate, certified translations into Spanish of submitted documentation, carnet fees, and government stamp tax. Our price is complete (no hidden charges) and includes:

1. Provision of complete checklist of documents required, along with detailed instructions and orientation to investors.
2. Provision of specific Power of Attorney for signature by investor (and spouse and dependents, if applicable).
3. Provision of Letter of Responsibility for signature by investor.
4. Reception and review of all required documents submitted to us by investor.
5. Presentation of investor visa immigration application and documentation to Panamanian immigration authorities.
6. All legal fees.
7. Provision of licensed Panamanian doctor and laboratory for physical exam and HIV test.
8. Inclusion of good health certification and HIV test with visa application.
9. Certification by our registered CPA.
10. Panamanian police record.
11. Public Registry Certification.
12. Panamanian Notary Certifications.
13. All required certified translations.
14. All government stamps and seals (timbres fiscales) and carnet issuance fees.
15. Accompany investor and spouse and dependents (if any) to meetings with immigration authorities.
16. The reception of the provisional investor visas (good for one year).

     * Click here for the detailed checklist and online form to be filled out for processing your small business investor immigration visa.

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