This page compares China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74) and Panama’s Inversionista de Zona Procesadora de Exportación — the golden visa routes we track for each country — using figures compiled from official government sources. Where a figure is not published for one country, the cell is left blank rather than estimated.
At a Glance
China
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74)
- Minimum income: €3,923/mo
- Minimum investment: €435,989
- Minimum savings: €17,436
Panama
Inversionista de Zona Procesadora de Exportación
- Minimum income: €3,632/mo
- Minimum investment: €217,995
- Minimum savings: €8,718
Requirements Side by Side
| Requirement | China | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | €3,923/mo | €3,632/mo |
| Minimum savings | €17,436 | €8,718 |
| Minimum investment | €435,989 | €217,995 |
| Initial permit length | 120 months | 24 months |
| Processing time | 60 days | 30 days |
| Family reunification | Yes | — |
| Dual citizenship allowed | No | — |
What the Data Shows
Each line reflects a single published figure — not an overall recommendation. The right choice depends on your profile.
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Get Your Free VerdictFrequently Asked Questions
What income do you need for the China vs the Panama golden visa?
China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74) lists a minimum of €3,923 per month; Panama's Inversionista de Zona Procesadora de Exportación lists €3,632 per month.
How do the minimum investments compare in China and Panama?
China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74) lists a minimum investment of €435,989; Panama's Inversionista de Zona Procesadora de Exportación lists €217,995.
How long does processing take in China vs Panama?
Published processing time is 60 days for China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — Category 1 Direct Investment (Order 74) and 30 days for Panama's Inversionista de Zona Procesadora de Exportación.
Figures relate to the specific programmes named above and were last re-checked between 2026-06-08 and 2026-06-09. Always confirm on the official pages linked below before applying.