What kinds of immigration programs does Panama offer to foreigners?
Panama has several immigration programs which enable foreigners to obtain legal residency and citizenship/passports in the Republic of Panama. Most of these laws have been created to promote foreign investment.

• The Immediate Passport Program allows foreigners to obtain an immediate passport under the condition that they make a 5 year time deposit (certificate of deposit - "CD"), at the Banco Nacional de Panama, which earns a minimum of US$750 per month in interest income.
• Another program called the Self Economic Solvency (Bank Deposit Program) exists where the applicant must invest a minimum of US$100,000 in a 1 year time deposit at any licensed bank in Panama. For each additional dependent that applies under the primary applicant, the time deposit (CD) amount must be incremented by US$5000 (for each dependent).
• The Reforestation Investment Program offers international investors the opportunity to obtain legal residency and eventually a passport in Panama through a US$50,000 investment in any approved reforestation project.
• Small Business Investor Program allows foreign business owners to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they invest a minimum of US$40,000 in either a new business venture, or an established company in Panama. Part of the requirement is that the business must employ at least 3 Panamanian employees paying them at least minimum wage, with social security benefits.
• The Tax Free Processing Zone Investor Program allows foreign investors to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they must rent a plot of land or an office or building (rented through a 10 to 20 year concession) within one of the new tax free processing zones in Panama, for the purpose of operating a business from Panama that exports its products or services. And, the Retired or Pensioned Program allows foreigners to obtain permanent legal residency in Panama under the condition that they are retired or pensioned. The applicant’s retirement income (or pension income) must be at least US$500 per month. For each dependent, the retirement income (or pension income) this amount must be increased by US$100.