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Bordercase

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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 PA flagPanama

Central America & Caribbean

SK flagSlovakia

Europe

SG flagSingapore

Asia

OverviewPanama is a long-established jurisdiction for residency and offshore company structures with a stable USD economy. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Panamanian lawyers and corporate-services partners.Slovakia offers EU residency and corporate structures with a stable regulatory environment and competitive costs. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Slovak partners for filings.Singapore is a leading regional hub for cross-border founders and family offices. Routes are merit-based and competitive; Bordercase coordinates with licensed Singapore corporate-services and immigration partners.
Best for
  • Second residency
  • USD economy
  • Asset planning
  • Holding structures
  • Founders
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
  • Founders
  • Banking
  • Family offices
  • HNW
  • English admin
CurrencyUSDEURSGD
LanguageSpanishSlovakEnglish
Time zoneUTC-5UTC+1UTC+8
EU memberNoYesNo
SchengenNoYesNo
Residency

Panama residency routes:

  • Friendly Nations Visa - now requires economic tie (employment, real estate, or investment)
  • Qualified Investor Visa - qualifying investment thresholds
  • Pensionado / Retiree Visa - qualifying pension income
  • Family routes

Slovak residency routes:

  • Employment-based residence
  • Start-up visa - innovative businesses
  • Business / self-employment
  • Family reunification
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

Singapore residency routes:

  • Employment Pass (EP) - professionals; merit-based
  • EntrePass - entrepreneurs in specific sectors
  • Global Investor Programme (GIP) - high-investment
  • Dependant's Pass / LTVP - family routes

Routes are competitive and quota-controlled.

Company setup

Panamanian corporations (SA) and Private Interest Foundations are widely used. Beneficial ownership reporting, CRS / FATCA compliance, and substance discussions have become material; planning must reflect current standards.

S.R.O. (private limited) is the standard entity, with relatively low minimum capital and well-established formation processes. VAT registration depends on activity.

Private Limited (Pte Ltd) is the standard structure. ACRA registration, a local resident director, and a registered office are required. Substance, accounting, and corporate governance standards are real.

Banking

Panamanian banking has tightened KYC and source-of-funds requirements. Non-resident applications take time; Bordercase coordinates introductions through current banking partners.

Resident banking is straightforward; corporate banking varies by activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Corporate banking has strong KYC and source-of-funds processes; relationship banking is common. Personal banking depends on residency status. Bordercase coordinates introductions through partners.

Family

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English-language and Spanish) are available in Panama City.

Family reunification is supported. International schools are available in Bratislava.

Family relocation is well-supported via Dependant's Pass and LTVP routes. Schools (local, private, and international) are widely available; international schools are competitive.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Panama:

  • Reputational / de-banking risks for poorly structured offshore-only setups
  • Tax residency analysis for clients with other obligations (CRS / FATCA)
  • Processing delays at Migration
  • UBO reporting is now active

Risks Bordercase watches for in Slovakia:

  • Tax residency triggers
  • VAT registration timing for cross-border services
  • Processing variations between districts

Risks Bordercase watches for in Singapore:

  • EP / EntrePass approvals are competitive and may be rejected
  • Salary, qualifications, and company substance are scrutinised
  • Tax residency rules - physical presence + centre of interests
  • Equity stakes can trigger structuring needs
Documents

Typical Panama documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Proof of economic tie (employment letter, property deed, or investment evidence)
  • Proof of address
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family

All documents apostilled and translated where required.

Typical Slovak residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of address
  • Health insurance
  • Employment or business documentation
  • Family certificates with apostille and translation

Typical Singapore documents:

  • Passport
  • CV
  • Education certificates
  • Employment history
  • Company documents (for EntrePass / GIP)
  • Family certificates with notarisation

Apostille where required.

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