With rising bureaucracy and financial pressures in China, many families are seeking a secure Plan B abroad. The Panama Visa for Chinese Citizens provides stability, global mobility, and a trusted alternative to residency. Our updated 2025 guide shows how you can secure residency in just 3 days with the support of our legal team.
Although Chinese citizens require a tourist visa to enter Panama, this only permits short-term stays depending on the purpose of your visit. More details on tourist visas can be found on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Panama. However, the information we provide here about the “Panama Visa for Chinese Citizens” refers to residency visas that allow you to live, invest, and establish long-term permanent residency in Panama. Through programs such as the Qualified Investor Visa or the Reforestation Visa, Chinese nationals can obtain legal residency and even a future path to citizenship.
Panama is more than just a tropical paradise. For many Chinese nationals, it offers legal residency with tax benefits, a stable economy, and a simple immigration process supported by clear laws. Whether you’re looking to retire, invest, or relocate with your family, Panama provides a reliable alternative to a better quality of life.
From business owners to retirees, Chinese citizens see Panama as a strategic and welcoming place to build their future, and several options are available for them to explore.
For many Chinese investors and families, Panama offers what China cannot easily provide: security, international mobility, and a reliable Plan B abroad. Obtaining residency in Panama means protecting your wealth in a dollar-based economy, accessing affordable world-class healthcare, and creating global opportunities for your children. With the right visa, you can secure long-term residency, ensure generational stability, and enjoy a higher quality of life in a safe and welcoming country.
Although China is not part of the Friendly Nations Visa (FNV) list and PRC passport holders are not eligible under this category, holders of a Hong Kong SAR passport are eligible for Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa, since Hong Kong is specifically included. Under the current rules, applicants may qualify by purchasing real estate in Panama with a minimum value of USD 200,000, securing a job offer with a Panamanian company, or placing a USD 200,000 time deposit for three years in a Panamanian bank. The process grants a two-year provisional residency, followed by permanent residency upon meeting the program’s requirements.
Another popular option for fast-track residency is the Panama Investment Visa, designed for Chinese investors seeking business opportunities in Central America. Certain programs grant permanent residency in just 30 days with a minimum investment of USD 300,000 in Panama, whether through real estate, a fixed-term bank deposit, securities, or an approved reforestation project.
If you’re retired and have a lifetime pension of $1,000 or more per month, you may qualify for this visa. The Panama retirement visa requirements are simple and the benefits include:
Although the exact documents vary depending on your visa type, most applicants will need to provide:
Working with legal advisors who understand Panamanian immigration laws, and the specific challenges for Chinese nationals, will help you avoid delays or denials.
As of 2025, the process of obtaining a Panama visa for Chinese citizens remains the same. While specific requirements may vary depending on the visa type, the overall procedure follows a well-defined structure. Below, we outline the key steps typically involved in securing legal residency in Panama.
Under Panamanian law (Decree Law No. 3 of 2008, Article 28), all visa applications must be filed through a licensed immigration attorney. Our Panama immigration attorneys will guide you from the first consultation, making sure every requirement is met, and stay with you until your residency is officially approved.
The next step is to collect the required documents for your visa, such as police clearance certificates, proof of financial solvency, and, if applying with family, marriage and birth certificates. All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. Don’t worry, our team will guide you step by step in obtaining these documents and the necessary apostilles in your home country.
Once your documents have been reviewed and approved by our attorneys, we will schedule your first trip to Panama. You should plan to stay at least three days in Panama City to complete the visa application process. Upon arrival, our team will pick you up from the airport and have all documents ready for your signature. Within a maximum of three days, we will accompany you to the National Immigration Service to file your application.
Within three days, we make sure your visa application is filed and you receive a provisional residency card valid for six months. During this period, you can either stay in Panama or return to your home country. Once the Immigration Office finishes processing your case, whether it results in a temporary or permanent residency card, our team will notify you and personally accompany you to “Migracion” to collect it.
Warning:The steps outlined above reflect the process carried out exclusively by our attorneys, backed by more than 15 years of experience and a record of 0% visa rejections. Thanks to this expertise, most applications are finalized in just 3 days. Working with traditional firms often results in longer waiting times, and incomplete documentation can significantly increase the risk of delays or even a visa denial.
At Agroup Consulting, we work with top Panama immigration attorneys specializing in Panama Visas for Chinese nationals. With over 15 years of experience, a 0% denial rate, and the trust of more than 100 expats in Panama, our firm delivers trusted services that help you secure residency with complete confidence.
Guangzhou
“I got my Panama visa with the help of this legal firm. The process was simple and explained step by step. Very good service.”
Hong Kong
“Happy with the service. Agroup helped me and my family get residency in Panama without problems. Very clear and reliable team.”
Peking
“My visa was approved fast. My lawyer guided me with all the papers and translation. I really appreciate your support.”
Yes. Chinese citizens can apply for permanent residency through investment programs, such as the Golden Visa, or structured business applications. Agroup Consulting helps structure your application to meet all legal requirements.
Yes — Chinese passport holders must obtain a tourist visa in advance from a Panamanian embassy or consulate before traveling. Unlike many nationalities that enter visa-free, Chinese visitors must apply for a tourist visa prior to departure. Upon arrival, they also must show a round-trip ticket and proof of at least $500 in funds, along with a passport valid for six months
Depending on the visa type, it can take from 30 to 180 days. Investor visas tend to be processed faster. Our legal team helps you speed up the process with complete and correct documentation.
Yes. Most residency visas in Panama allow for spouse and dependent children to be included under the same application. This makes it easier for families to relocate together.
Panama is home to the largest Chinese community in Central America, with approximately 135,000–200,000 people of Chinese origin, representing around 4 % of the Panamanian population
Panama and the Republic of China formally established diplomatic relations in July 2017, switching recognition from Taiwan to Beijing. Since then, bilateral ties have surged with China’s first embassy in Panama, strong trade partnerships, infrastructure investments, and broader cooperation.
Yes — Panama City has a historic Chinatown (“Barrio Chino”) located in the San Felipe neighborhood. It features Chinese restaurants, shops, cultural celebrations (especially for Chinese New Year), and traditional architecture along Carlos A. Mendoza Street.
You’ll find a mix of Hakka and Cantonese in Panama, with Mandarin becoming more common among recent immigrants. The early Chinese community introduced Hakka, which is now in decline, while Cantonese and Mandarin are increasingly used in business and community settings.
