Citizens of around 20 countries are now allowed to apply for a permanent resident visa with lower investment requirements. Executive Order 343 of 16 May 2012 was published in the Official Gazette, "which creates the sub-category of Permanent Resident in the form of foreign nationals from specific countries which maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relationships with the Republic of Panama within the immigration category of Permanent Resident."

Foreigners will find that Panama has special regulations which favor investments in real estate and have the added advantage of bilateral investment treaties