What's the social scene like for founders?

Panama City has a growing community of international entrepreneurs, particularly in fintech, crypto, and consulting. There are regular meetups, coworking spaces, and a small but active startup ecosystem. It's not Berlin or Austin, but it's not isolated either.

A row of Panamanian flags against a clear sky

For Tech Founders

The Panama Qualified Investor Visa for tech founders: base your life somewhere that matches how you build.

How remote-first founders, startup CEOs, and Web3 builders are using the Panama Qualified Investor Visa for tech founders to establish a strategic home base, with zero tax on foreign income and direct flights to both US coasts.

Speak with an Advisor

Monthly updates

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

The reality

When your company is everywhere, your residency still has to be somewhere.

If you're building a remote-first company, you've already decoupled work from location. Your team is distributed. Your customers are global. Your cap table might span three countries. But your personal residency, where you're legally domiciled, where you pay taxes, where your passport and bank accounts are anchored, is still tied to a single jurisdiction.

For many founders, that jurisdiction is the US. And the US is a fine place to build a company, but it's an expensive place to be a tax resident if your income comes from a Delaware C-corp, a Cayman fund, or equity in a Singapore entity. You're taxed on worldwide income regardless of where the money is earned or where you physically sit.

Some founders have moved to Dubai, Lisbon, or Singapore. But each comes with trade-offs. Dubai has no income tax but limited banking for crypto. Portugal keeps restructuring its NHR regime. Singapore is expensive and requires physical presence.

Panama sits in the sweet spot. It's in the Americas. It's dollarized. It has territorial taxation. It has modern financial infrastructure. And it doesn't ask you to spend 183 days a year proving you live there.

Why Panama works for founders

Designed for how you already operate.

Territorial Tax = Foreign Income Untaxed

If your company is incorporated outside Panama and your revenue comes from global customers, Panama doesn't tax it. Period. No exit tax, no capital gains tax on foreign assets.

Americas Time Zone

Panama is EST (UTC-5). You overlap with New York, San Francisco, São Paulo, and Mexico City. Take a morning call with Europe and an afternoon call with the West Coast.

No Minimum Stay

Fly in for a week, fly out for a month. Panama does not enforce a strict minimum stay requirement, though maintaining some periodic presence is recommended.

Crypto-Friendly Banking

Panama has no specific cryptocurrency legislation, meaning crypto is not prohibited. Several local banks and fintech platforms work with digital asset holders. OTC desks operate in Panama City.

SAS Formation Available

Panama offers the Sociedad Anónima Simplificada (SAS), a streamlined corporate structure similar to a US LLC. Useful for founders who want a local entity for banking or contracts.

Cost of Living Advantage

A one-bedroom in Panama City's best neighborhoods runs $1,200–$1,800/month. A comparable apartment in San Francisco or New York costs 3–4x more. Coworking spaces start at $150/month.

How the visa works

Three routes to the same residency.

The Qualified Investor Visa has three paths: real estate, listed securities from $500,000, or a $750,000 fixed-term deposit. The current real estate minimum is $300,000; this is scheduled to increase to $500,000 on October 15, 2026. See the full breakdown of all three routes.

Processing is 30 to 90 days from document submission to provisional permit. See the process.

Common questions

Questions founders ask most.

Can I run my company from Panama?

Yes. Permanent residency gives you the legal right to work in Panama. You can manage a remote company, take calls, and operate your business from here. If your company is incorporated outside Panama and earns revenue from outside Panama, that income is not subject to Panamanian tax.

What about my US company? Does this change anything?

Holding Panamanian residency does not change the tax treatment of your US C-corp or LLC. The company continues to be taxed where it's incorporated. What may change is your personal tax situation depending on where you are a tax resident. Consult a cross-border tax advisor before making moves.

Is the internet reliable enough for remote work?

Panama City has fiber internet widely available, with speeds of 100–500 Mbps common in modern apartments and coworking spaces. Starlink is also available as a backup. The infrastructure is significantly better than most of Central America and the Caribbean.

Can I bring my team or hire locally?

Your permanent residency gives you the right to work and hire in Panama. Local talent is available in tech, marketing, and operations. Panama City also has a growing expat tech community, particularly in the banking and fintech sectors.

The program

About the Program

What is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?

A permanent residency visa requiring a qualifying investment in Panamanian real estate, listed securities, or a bank deposit. The current real estate minimum is $300,000; this is scheduled to increase to $500,000 on October 15, 2026. It grants the holder the right to live and work in Panama indefinitely, with a path to citizenship after five years.

Is this a temporary or permanent visa?

Permanent. You receive a provisional permit, followed by a permanent residency card. Timing varies by case. There is no renewal requirement. The residency is indefinite.

How long does the process take?

30 to 90 days from document submission to provisional permit. The permanent card follows after that.

Can I include my family?

Yes. Spouse, dependent children, and qualifying parents are typically included at no additional investment. Exact dependent eligibility should be confirmed with an attorney.

Do I need to live in Panama full-time?

No. Panama does not enforce a strict minimum stay requirement, though maintaining some periodic presence is recommended.

Is there a language requirement?

No. No Spanish test or cultural exam of any kind.

Can I work in Panama?

Yes. Permanent residency grants full work authorization.

Can I eventually get citizenship?

Yes. After five continuous years of permanent residency, you can apply for naturalization. Panama allows dual citizenship.

Ready to explore your options?

15 minutes with an advisor who works specifically with tech founders and remote CEOs.

Or email us at info@panamaqualifiedinvestor.com

Panama Qualified Investor Newsletter

Never miss an update. Subscribe for the latest on Panama's investor residency program.

Program status, regulatory developments, and residency updates, delivered by email.

By submitting this form, you agree to receive email updates from Panama Qualified Investor. You may unsubscribe at any time. Read the Privacy Policy.