Residency approvals more than doubled in July and August
If you are waiting on a Panama residency file, the summer was busier than usual at immigration. New statistics from the Servicio Nacional de Migración (SNM) show 27,960 residence permits approved between January and August 2026, and 775 denied. That is roughly 97% approved among the 28,735 files decided, the same share as in the first half of the year (Infobae, 24 July).
The jump came late. From January to June, Migración approved between 2,512 and 2,912 permits a month (16,010 in total). Then approvals hit 6,073 in July and 5,877 in August. That is more than double every monthly total from January to June (2,512 to 2,912 a month). In a note on the report, Migración says the rise reflects an administrative push that produced more favorable resolutions in four groups: humanitarian protection permits (PPSH), the six-year extension cards linked to PPSH, retirees and pensioners, and dependents. The figures are preliminary to 31 August 2026 and may be revised (SNM statistics unit).
The routes expats use most
Humanitarian protection (PPSH) is by far the largest category (10,585 approvals). Among the routes most used by people relocating by choice, the January to August totals are:
- Friendly Nations (Países Amigos): 1,957
- Retirees and pensioners (Pensionado): 1,646
- Executives of multinational companies: 2,267
- Married to a Panamanian: 1,055
- Qualified Investor: 258
- Own economic solvency, fixed-term deposit: 125
Dependents added 3,505 approvals. By type, Migración counted 9,980 temporary permits, 7,956 permanent permits, 5,832 extensions and 4,192 provisional permits.
Who is coming
Colombians lead with 8,302 approvals, followed by Venezuelans (4,746), Nicaraguans (2,870) and US citizens (2,325). US approvals reached 1,230 in the first half of 2026 (Infobae, 24 July), so July and August alone added about 1,100 more. Other groups: China 932, Cuba 846, Spain 513, Canada 494, Italy 494, France 282, Germany 271 and the United Kingdom 136. Some 5,030 approvals went to people aged 55 to 79, and 161 to people 80 or older.
Bottom line for expats
The numbers are good news for anyone with a file in the queue: Migración moved far more cases in July and August than in any month this year. A high approval share counts decided files only, so a complete, well-documented application still matters. Note that the 258 Qualified Investor approvals were all granted before Executive Decree 17 took effect on 16 September 2026 with new investment thresholds, so the next monthly reports will be the first to show how the new rules play out. If you are a retiree or a Friendly Nations applicant, you are in two of the busiest voluntary routes, and the August spike in pensioner approvals (407, the highest month this year) suggests files are moving.
Sources
- Infobae - First-half 2026: 16,010 approved, 447 denied (97%); US 1,230; Colombia 4,768; Venezuela 2,885 - 24 Jul 2026
- Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán - Executive Decree 17 of 8 Sep 2026 (Gaceta 30613), in force 16 Sep 2026, replaces Decree 722 of 2020 - Sep 2026
- Kraemer & Kraemer - Decree 17 in force 16 Sep 2026 - 17 Sep 2026