Glossary · Acronym QIV
Qualified Investor Visa (QIV)
Panama's qualified investor visa regulated by Executive Decree 722 of 2020. It grants permanent residency (PR) on an accelerated timeline through a qualified investment in one of three categories: real estate, fixed-term bank deposit, or securities. It is one of two pathways accepting fiduciary channelling to investor-facing forestry operators.
The three qualifying pathways
- Real estate investment. Purchase of real property for at least the current threshold. Applicable to forestry lots with individual titling or fiduciary vehicles over real estate.
- Fixed-term bank deposit. Deposit in a Panamanian bank for an amount and term defined by the decree.
- Stock exchange investment. Purchase of securities on the Panama Stock Exchange.
In the forestry context: Tier 1 operators (notably Foresteak) structure the forestry+fiduciary package to fit into the QIV real estate pathway.
Why the Oct 15, 2026 deadline matters
Whoever signs their contract and starts the QIV process before October 15, 2026 keeps the original threshold (USD 300,000). After that date the minimum rises to USD 500,000 — a USD 200,000 (+66.7%) difference. This creates pressure on closings during 2026, especially in the second half.
Important: "starting the process" has a technical definition — confirm with a Panamanian immigration attorney which exact document (deed, fiduciary certification, SNM filing) fixes the threshold application date.
Resale and commitments
- Minimum investment-holding period: typically 5 years before being able to sell or liquidate without losing residency.
- The operator (Foresteak in the documented case) may specify additional contractual periods over the forestry investment.
- PR obtained via QIV is not lost if the investment is sold after the legal minimum period.