Yes — under Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa program, it is possible to complete the entire application remotely by granting a Special Power of Attorney to a Panamanian lawyer, provided that all legal and documentary requirements are met. How the remote process works 1. Granting Power of Attorney • You sign a Special Power of Attorney (in your country) authorizing your lawyer to represent you before the National Immigration Service. • The document must be notarized and apostilled (or legalized via consulate) before being sent to Panama. 2. Document Preparation • All required documents (investment proof, background check, passport copies, etc.) must be issued within the validity period, notarized, and apostilled. • Your lawyer in Panama will coordinate certified translations into Spanish and handle the filing. 3. Investment Execution • The qualifying investment (e.g., real estate purchase of at least USD 300,000, stock market investment, or fixed-term deposit) must be completed before filing. • The investment must remain in place for a minimum of 5 years. 4. Filing and Approval • Once your lawyer files the application, the immigration authority grants permanent residency in approximately 30–45 days. • You are not required to be in Panama for the approval. 5. Obtaining Your Cedula • After the residency is approved, you will need one short trip to Panama to finalize biometrics, take your photograph, and obtain your Panamanian ID card (cédula). Key Notes • This is the only residency program in Panama that grants permanent residency immediately (not temporary) and allows for remote application. • The process is highly formal and requires full compliance with Executive Decree No. 722 of October 15, 2020 and the regulations of the National Immigration Service.
