New residency opportunities for Ecuadorian citizens
The Republic of Panama has officially added the Republic of Ecuador to the list of countries whose citizens may apply for the Friendly Nations Residence Permit.
This important change was enacted through Executive Decree No. 16 of August 31, 2026, published in Digital Official Gazette No. 30601-B. The Decree became effective on the day following its enactment.
As a result, Ecuadorian citizens who meet the requirements established under Panamanian immigration law may now apply for legal residence in Panama through the Friendly Nations immigration category.
🌎 What is the Friendly Nations Program?
The Friendly Nations Program is an immigration category created for citizens of designated countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with the Republic of Panama.
The program is intended to facilitate the establishment in Panama of foreign nationals who can demonstrate a qualifying economic, professional, employment or investment purpose in accordance with the alternatives permitted by current law.
Following the enactment of Executive Decree No. 16 of 2026, Ecuador is now included among the eligible countries.
📋 How does the immigration process work?
Ecuadorian citizens applying under this category are subject to the procedures, requirements, costs, guarantee deposits and residency phases established by Executive Decree No. 226 of July 20, 2021.
In general, the process involves the following stages:
1. Two-year provisional residence
The applicant must file an application with Panama’s National Immigration Service and demonstrate compliance with the general and specific requirements applicable to the selected qualifying option.
If the application is approved, the applicant will initially receive a provisional residence permit valid for two (2) years.
2. Application for permanent residence
After completing the provisional period, and provided that the conditions supporting the original application continue to be satisfied, the applicant may file the corresponding application for permanent residence in Panama.
Permanent residence is not granted automatically. Approval remains subject to compliance with the applicable requirements and review by the competent Panamanian authorities.
💼 How can applicants demonstrate their purpose for residing in Panama?
Applicants must demonstrate an eligible economic, professional, employment or investment activity through one of the alternatives recognized under Panamanian law.
Each option has its own documentary and substantive requirements. An individual legal assessment is therefore recommended before beginning the process to determine which alternative is most appropriate for the applicant.
The evaluation may include:
- The applicant’s intended employment or professional activity.
- The existence of an employment offer or employment relationship in Panama.
- The investment the applicant intends to make.
- The source and availability of the investment funds.
- Whether the applicant’s profession is regulated or restricted under Panamanian law.
- The possible inclusion of a spouse, children or other eligible dependents.
⚠️ Residence does not replace a work permit
Obtaining residence under the Friendly Nations category does not automatically authorize the foreign national to work in Panama.
Anyone intending to perform paid employment must separately apply for the appropriate work permit before the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (MITRADEL), in accordance with the categories and regulations in effect.
The residence permit also does not grant the right to practice professions that are reserved for Panamanian citizens or regulated by special legislation.
Panama’s National Immigration Service and MITRADEL will each act within their respective legal authority to verify compliance with immigration and employment requirements.
📑 General documents that may be required
Although the exact documentation will depend on the applicant’s circumstances, the application will generally require an assessment of documents such as:
- A valid passport.
- A duly apostilled or authenticated criminal background certificate.
- A health certificate issued in Panama.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- A power of attorney and application prepared by a licensed Panamanian attorney.
- A sworn personal background declaration.
- Documents demonstrating the qualifying employment, professional, economic or investment activity.
- Proof of family relationship when dependents are included.
- Official Spanish translations of documents issued in another language.
- Evidence of payment of the applicable government fees and guarantee deposits.
Documents issued abroad must comply with the applicable apostille or consular legalization requirements and must generally fall within the validity period accepted by the Panamanian authorities.
⚖️ Comprehensive immigration assistance in Panama
We provide legal advice and representation to Ecuadorian citizens interested in applying for the Friendly Nations Residence Permit in Panama.
Our services may include:
- Initial immigration eligibility assessment.
- Identification of the appropriate qualifying option.
- Preparation of the application and power of attorney.
- Review of documents issued in Ecuador or other countries.
- Coordination of apostilles, authentications and legalizations.
- Official Spanish translations when required.
- Filing and follow-up before Panama’s National Immigration Service.
- Guidance concerning the appropriate work permit application.
- Assistance with the inclusion of eligible dependents.
- Legal support throughout each stage of the immigration process.
📞 Contact us
If you are an Ecuadorian citizen interested in legally residing, working or investing in Panama, we can assess your circumstances and guide you through every stage of the process.
Lic. Edgardo Espinosa
Attorney – Authorized Public Translator and Interpreter
📱 Telephone and WhatsApp: +507 6290-3468
📧 Email: info@lawyerinpanama.com
🌐 Website: www.lawyerinpanama.com
📍 Panama City office: The Century Tower, 4th Floor, Suite 401, Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
Ecuador is now part of Panama’s Friendly Nations Program. Contact us today to evaluate your eligibility and begin your immigration process in Panama.