Qualified Investor Visa - Bank Deposit Packages

A banking-driven residency project requires more than choosing a qualifying deposit

The bank deposit option under Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa is designed for investors who prefer a banking-centered route instead of acquiring real estate or investing through securities.

Under Executive Decree No. 17 of September 8, 2026, the required qualifying fixed-term deposit depends on the depositary institution: USD 750,000 when placed with an authorized private general-license bank, or USD 500,000 when placed directly with Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros. In either case, the deposit must generally be maintained for at least five years, remain free of encumbrances and be supported by evidence of foreign-source funds and the required bank certification.

For many investors, this route may be attractive because it separates residency planning from property acquisition and securities selection. But it also requires strong document organization, banking preparation, source-of-funds explanation and careful timing. For international investors, this is also why sequencing the project before key commitments are made can reduce avoidable delays.

A bank deposit-based Qualified Investor Visa project may involve immigration counsel, banking officers, compliance teams, source-of-funds documentation, source-of-wealth evidence, authorized translations, MICI certification, immigration filing, travel planning, resident card steps, cédula coordination and future investment-maintenance follow-up.

The value of the service is in keeping the banking, document, immigration and post-approval workstreams connected under one practical project roadmap.

CitizenResident does not provide legal, immigration, banking, tax, financial or investment advice. Bank approval belongs exclusively to the financial institution. Immigration eligibility, legal review and filing must be handled by independent licensed professionals.

Why choose Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa through a bank deposit?

The bank deposit option may appeal to investors who prefer a deposit-based route instead of purchasing real estate or investing through securities. For some clients, this option may feel more straightforward because the qualifying investment is structured around a fixed-term deposit with a licensed bank, subject to compliance approval, documentation and current regulation.

For many international investors, this route is not only about placing funds in a fixed-term deposit. It is about coordinating a conservative, banking-centered pathway that may support permanent residency, family mobility, long-term planning and access to Panama as a strategic base in the Americas.

Key reasons investors may consider this route include:

• Permanent residency for the main applicant and eligible family members, including spouse, children and, when applicable, parents, subject to professional review.

• Qualifying fixed-term deposit threshold based on the depositary institution: generally USD 750,000 with an authorized private bank or USD 500,000 with Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros, subject to current regulation, bank approval, documentation and professional confirmation.

• Banking-driven structure, for clients who prefer a deposit-based route instead of property acquisition or securities investment.

• No property purchase required, which may reduce the need for property search, title review, developer negotiations, closing coordination or real estate maintenance.

• No securities portfolio selection required, which may appeal to clients who do not want to choose funds, securities or brokerage-based investment options.

• USD-based economy, which may simplify banking, cost planning, family budgeting and financial organization.

• Established banking and professional services ecosystem, subject to compliance, source-of-funds review and institutional approval.

• Strategic base in the Americas, with Panama serving as a regional business, travel and logistics hub.

• Possible Special Travel Passport roadmap, subject to current regulation, eligibility and Passport Authority procedures.

• Future naturalization roadmap, depending on nationality, residence history, legal requirements and government discretion.

• Potential tax planning opportunities, to be reviewed separately with qualified tax professionals.

Choose the package that fits your bank deposit residency plan

CitizenResident offers two coordination levels:

Basic Package

Focused coordination for the essential bank deposit residency workflow.

Best for clients who need support with:

• immigration category confirmation;

• preliminary due diligence organization;

• banking profile preparation;

• source-of-funds and source-of-wealth document organization;

• document collection and checklist management;

• roadmap and timeline coordination;

• communication with legal and banking professionals;

• document legalization and translation workflow;

• bank account and fixed-term deposit workflow coordination;

• MICI and immigration workflow coordination;

• basic status tracking.

Premium Package

Enhanced coordination for clients who want a more complete Panama arrival and post-approval experience.

Best for clients who want everything in Basic plus:

• enhanced banking preparation and follow-up;

• enhanced document and translation coordination within approved limits when stated in proposal;

• airport VIP pass coordination;

• airport-to-city transportation;

• local SIM card assistance;

• family travel coordination for permanent resident cards;

• local rental coordination support, if needed;

• cédula coordination;

• Panama tax ID coordination, if applicable;

• company or foundation coordination review, if relevant;

• Special Travel Passport roadmap support, not application;

• stronger post-approval organization.

Important: annual investment-maintenance certification is not included in the Basic or Premium Package unless expressly stated. It may be contracted separately or included under the ongoing post-approval coordination service.

Basic vs Premium comparison

Why bank deposit coordination matters

In a real estate project, the main operational dependency is the property transaction. In a securities project, the main operational dependency is the brokerage and investment documentation. In a bank deposit project, the main operational dependency is banking compliance.

This means that the process should be built around the bank’s due diligence requirements. A client may have the funds available but still need to explain source of wealth, source of funds, tax residence, business ownership, asset sale history, inheritance, dividends, investment income or other financial background.

The bank deposit route may look simple from the outside, but timing can be affected by:

• bank onboarding review;

• internal compliance policies;

• source-of-funds documentation;

• tax forms and declarations;

• foreign bank references;

• corporate ownership documents;

• notarization, apostille or legalization;

• authorized translations;

• intermediary bank transfer questions;

• timing of fixed-term deposit issuance;

• immigration documentation requirements.

CitizenResident helps organize the documentation and communication so the project can move with fewer surprises.

How the bank deposit investment process usually works

Estimated overall timeline: approximately 3–6 months from a complete client file and successful bank onboarding through the qualifying deposit, MICI certification and permanent-residence approval. Bank compliance review, international transfers, document legalization, third-party certifications or authority requests may extend the schedule.

1. Category comparison and initial strategy

The client first needs to understand how the bank deposit option compares with other Qualified Investor routes, such as real estate investment or securities investment. This comparison should consider timing, liquidity, bank compliance, investment profile, family needs, document burden and post-approval obligations.

2. Preliminary due diligence and document collection

Before the bank account is opened or the fixed-term deposit is created, the client’s profile should be organized for compliance review. This may involve identification documents, proof of address, professional background, tax information, corporate documents, source-of-funds evidence and source-of-wealth explanation.

3. Roadmap and timeline action plan

CitizenResident helps coordinate a practical action plan showing what must happen first, what can move in parallel and what depends on bank, legal or authority confirmation.

4. Banking profile and compliance preparation

The bank may request personal identification, tax forms, proof of address, bank references, professional background, company documents, financial statements, asset sale documents or other supporting information.

CitizenResident may help organize the KYC file, document flow and communication. The bank remains solely responsible for onboarding decisions.

5. Document legalization and translation

Documents may be required for the bank, MICI and Immigration Office. Foreign public documents may need apostille or consular legalization. Documents not issued in Spanish may require authorized translation.

6. Bank account opening workflow

A personal bank account may be needed before the fixed-term deposit can be created. Bank approval is subject to compliance review and is never guaranteed.

7. Transfer of funds and intermediary bank follow-up

After banking approval, the transfer of funds may require follow-up with sending banks, receiving banks, intermediary banks or compliance departments. Additional due diligence questions may arise during or after the transfer.

The decree requires banking, legal or financial documentation proving that the investment has been made and that the funds used come from abroad.

8. Fixed-term deposit creation

Once the bank approves the client and receives the funds, the qualifying fixed-term deposit may be created. The deposit documentation should later support the immigration filing.

For the bank deposit option, the decree requires a notarized copy of the fixed-term deposit certificate and a bank certification confirming the existence of the deposit, its holder, value, term, freedom from encumbrances and foreign source of funds.

9. Company or foundation review, if relevant

Some clients may ask whether a company or private interest foundation should be used for broader asset organization, estate planning or banking purposes. This should not be assumed. The structure must be reviewed by legal, tax and banking professionals to confirm whether it is acceptable and efficient.

CitizenResident may help coordinate the conversation among the relevant providers.

10. MICI and Immigration Office workflow

Once the deposit evidence is organized, the workflow may proceed through MICI certification and immigration filing with the responsible professional.

The MICI requirements state that the application must specify the investment form used to obtain the certification for the permanent residence permit.

11. Travel to Panama for resident cards

After approval, the client and family may need to travel to Panama to complete resident card steps, photographs, registration and other post-approval actions.

12. Cédula, tax ID and post-approval coordination

Depending on the client’s needs and package level, post-approval steps may include cédula coordination, tax ID coordination if applicable, local rental coordination and ongoing support.

13. Annual investment maintenance and certification tracking

For Qualified Investor residents, the qualifying investment must be maintained for at least five years. The decree states that MICI must annually submit proof to the National Immigration Service that the investment is still maintained during that period.

This annual investment-maintenance service is not included in the Basic or Premium Packages unless expressly stated. It may be quoted separately or included under the ongoing post-approval coordination service.

14. Special Travel Passport roadmap

The Special Travel Passport application is not included. It may be considered separately after permanent residence approval, subject to current regulation, Passport Authority procedures and professional confirmation.

This should not be presented as citizenship, a guaranteed document or an included service unless expressly confirmed in writing.

Time optimization strategy

The fastest projects are not rushed. They are sequenced correctly.

Banking preparation should begin early because the deposit cannot be created before the bank approves the client. Immigration filing should wait until the deposit and supporting documents are complete. Annual certification should be tracked from the beginning because the five-year maintenance period is part of the long-term plan.

CitizenResident gives the client a single coordination layer across banking, documents, immigration partners, travel planning and post-approval follow-up.

Professional Responsibility Notice

CitizenResident helps coordinate the project workflow, document flow, provider communication and client follow-up. Immigration advice, eligibility review, banking advice, financial advice, tax advice, investment suitability, legal opinions, filings and representation before authorities are handled by independent licensed professionals, regulated institutions or competent authorities.

Government decisions, bank approvals, fixed-term deposit acceptance, document acceptance, processing times, account opening, transfer timing and annual certification requirements are outside CitizenResident’s control.