Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Swiss residency routes:

• Work permit - employer-sponsored, quota-controlled for non-EU
• Lump-sum taxation (forfait fiscal) - HNW individuals in eligible cantons
• Business / investor routes
• EU / EFTA routes - under FMP
• Family reunification

Cyprus residency routes:

• Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
• Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Bahamian residency routes:

• Economic Permanent Residence - qualifying property investment
• Annual residence permits for HNW
• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

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

GmbH and AG are the standard structures. Cantonal variation in tax, registration, and substance treatment is real. Federal and cantonal compliance is precise.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

IBCs (International Business Companies) are widely used; substance and reporting are now real. Funds and family-office structures are common.

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.

Swiss banking has tightened materially since the 2010s. Personal accounts require residency or strong nexus; corporate banking requires substance and clear source of funds. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Banking is selective and source-of-funds focused. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

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

Family reunification is supported on most permits. Schools (public, private, and international) are widely available; international schools are well-established but selective.

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Family inclusion is supported on most routes. International schools are concentrated on New Providence.

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Switzerland:

• Quotas for non-EU work permits
• Lump-sum taxation eligibility and cantonal variation
• Banking gatekeeping for non-residents
• Substance and arm's-length pricing audits

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

• Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
• Banking timelines longer than expected
• Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
• Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Bahamas:

• Economic substance reporting
• Property due diligence
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

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

Typical Swiss residency documents:

• Passport
• Employment contract or business plan
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance valid in Switzerland
• Financial evidence

Apostilled and translated where required.

Typical document pack for Cyprus residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of income / investment
• Health insurance valid in Cyprus
• Accommodation evidence
• Education certificates (for relevant routes)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

Typical Bahamian documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Health and police clearances
• Apostilled foreign 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.