Numbers don’t lie: Panama migrations statistics look promising in 2024

Saying “Panama” is saying a synonym for business and immigration. It has earned this reputation thanks to its migration by investment programs and varied other options. Migration and investment have been quite close since the first program appeared in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and 40 years later, we're still talking about this topic.

Analyzing Panama migration statistics may help understand recent tendencies in the country of the canal. Moreover, it may help readers make up their minds if they're still wondering what's the best Panama migration option.

Panama migration stats: migration by investment or independent means visa?

The migration by investment visa per excellence in Panama is the Qualified Investor Program. It provides three alternatives: real estate, bank deposit, and stock market investment. 

Although in previous years we have seen a peak for the Qualified Investor, now this seems to be stabilizing. On the other hand, we've seen an increase in demand for the Friendly Nations visa in 2021 and 2022, but this has decreased in 2024. Nonetheless, the numbers are still promising. 

In 2023, the qualified investor registered 187 approvals, and in the first half of the current year, it has received 105 applications. In other words, this seems to indicate a better approval rate. Probably the fact that the program is upgrading its real estate threshold in October encourages people to apply fast.

Independent means visas like, for example, the Pensionado, have shown great popularity especially because they are relatively accessible. For instance, the said visa obtained 625 approvals in 2021, 1414 approvals in 2022, and 1627 approvals in 2023. In August 2024, migration stats indicate that there have been 819 approvals. 

Migration by investment is very different than other types of visas like Pensionado or Friendly Nations. The main difference lies in the fact that the former requires a mandatory investment while the other two don't require one (although they contemplate it).

For more clarification, it may help to check out articles describing the Friendly Nations visa and the Pensionado program, but for now, the following may be sufficient.

Through Pensionado, one needs to have a minimum monthly pension for life. The investment is not mandatory, however, if you make it, you can reduce your monthly minimum. For the FN, investment is one of the three possible routes to proving economic ties with the Republic of Panama. In both cases, investment migration requires a lower number (220,000 for the FN against 300,000 for QI). Moreover, from October 2024 the Qualified Investor real estate path will increase to $500,000. 

Panama migration and investment: migration stats

What programs do most expats choose? It's interesting to look at Panama migration statistics and understand people's favorite entry to Panama migration. Basically, we should remember that this is a country with a high percentage of foreign population. 

According to reliable sources, Panama migration statistics show high success rates in all programs in 2024, and we are only half through the year. In recent years, approval rates have had an excellent percentage surpassing 95%, and this trend is increasing for all visas. 

Let's take the Friendly Nations as an example. In 2022, there have been 2544 approvals, 2120 in 2023, and by May 2024, 1312 approvals have been registered. Panama migration statistics show that the FN’s performance has been good although lower than its peak in 2021.

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Why choose Panama migration by investment

In light of the Panama migration stats here presented, one may wonder what makes people choose the country of the canal, and what they base their decisions on.

The bottom line is that Panama is one-of-a-kind because it covers an ample variety of needs. For Latin Americans, it provides an excellent migration alternative to a dollarized economy. The US is not a match for Panama because it has much higher prices and accessing a green card is more challenging. 

Let alone the fact that the green card automatically makes you taxable for your worldwide income. In Panama, the odds are in the expats’ favor because it's a territorial tax country. Nonetheless, before jumping headfirst into a pool that may be too shallow, we recommend understanding territorial taxation beyond misconceptions and myths.

Migration by investment in Panama is also attractive for Europeans and Americans. Why? Here they can find practically the same living standards at much lower prices, a friendlier jurisdiction tax-wise, and business-oriented policies.

Disclaimer: this article is based on editorial research hence it should not be taken as an official statistic report, or as migration or financial advice. Before making any important life-changing decisions, consult with a certified professional.

Mundo opens up Panama migration to you and your family

Migration stats show that things are going well in Panama. We can see that migration by investment is still one of the favorite choices for expats. At the end of the day, the Qualified Investor may be more expensive, but it has more flexible requirements, especially when it comes to the applicant’s original citizenship. 

With an on-site team in Panama and several other teams in strategic locations across the world, Mundo can help you find the right migration by investment option. For citizenship, we advise you turn to the Caribbean or Vanuatu. For residency, Panama is definitely the king.

Write to us and consult about other nomad capitalist services such as banking, corporate, trusts, real estate, and investment. At Mundo, we love Panama as much as we know it, so we'll be happy to help you with your application. 

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