Panama has enacted a new law that significantly enhances the benefits for foreign investors in its residency program. Law No. 493 of 2025, promulgated on October 29, 2025, amends the nation’s passport regulations to grant a special travel document to permanent residents who obtained their status through the Qualified Investor Visa.
This legislative change effectively elevates the QIV program by offering a key privilege previously reserved only for retirees. The law mandates the Executive Branch to establish final application procedures within a six-month period from its enactment date.
A Major Upgrade for Investor Residency
The reform modifies Law 32 of 2013, which governs the Panama Passport Authority. Its primary purpose is to extend the issuance of the Special Travel Document to QIV holders and their dependents. This document, which resembles an ordinary passport, serves as internationally recognized proof of permanent residency status for travel and re-entry into Panama.
It does not confer Panamanian citizenship rights such as voting. The document’s validity is tied directly to the duration of the holder’s permanent residency permit.
Legal and investment experts are praising the move as a strategic enhancement to Panama’s investment appeal. They say it transforms the program into a more competitive global option.
This amendment demonstrates Panama’s firm commitment to attracting foreign capital and high-net-worth individuals. It positions our Qualified Investor Visa as a world-class residency-by-investment option, offering tangible benefits that improve the investor’s quality of life and global mobility. [Translated from Spanish]
The government’s action directly addresses a key concern for international investors: seamless travel. The special travel document provides a more robust and widely accepted credential than a standard residency card.
Immediate Impact and Next Steps
Existing participants in the QIV program are generally eligible to apply for the new document. This grandfathering clause ensures current investors can immediately benefit from the legal upgrade. The National Authority of Customs now oversees a program with substantially increased prestige.
Prospective investors can explore the official requirements for the Qualified Investor Visa through government portals or by contacting the lawyer that helped them secure their residency status. The forthcoming regulations will detail the specific process for obtaining the special travel document from the Panama Passport Authority.
This legislative shift makes Panama’s offer for permanent residency considerably more attractive. The enhanced investor visa program now provides a powerful, government-issued travel credential. This development is expected to influence investment migration trends throughout the region.