Which visas accept pension income?
Of the 30 retiree and passive-income programs we track, official sources confirm pension income counts for 22 (4 through a separate pension category of the same law), confirm it doesn't for 1, and don't say for 5 (marked “Not yet verified”). 2 have no income test at all.
Verified to accept pension income (22)
| Country | Program | What the official source says | Floor | Primary source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | Pensionado (Jubilado) permanent residence | Yes. A lifetime pension from a foreign government, an international body or a private company counts.Official text: “Podrán solicitar este permiso el extranjero que reciban jubilación o pensión por parte de gobierno extranjero, organismo internacional o empresa privada” (checked 2026-10-26) | B/.1,000/month, lifetime (B/.750 if you own Panama property over B/.100,000); +B/.250 per dependant | migracion.gob.pa | 2026-10-26 |
| Costa Rica | Pensionado residence | Yes. A permanent, stable pension from abroad of at least US$1,000/month.Official text: “comprobar que disfrutan pensiones mensuales, permanentes y estables provenientes del exterior, cuyo monto no podrá ser inferior a mil dólares” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$1,000/month, lifetime | pgrweb.go.cr pgrweb.go.cr | 2026-10-26 |
| Mexico | Temporary Resident (economic solvency) | Yes. The monthly-income route names only employment or pension.Official text: “Original de los documentos que demuestren que cuenta con empleo o pensión con ingresos mensuales libres de gravámenes mayores al equivalente de seiscientos ochenta días en UMA durante los últimos seis meses” (checked 2026-10-26) | 680 UMA-days/month net (MXN 79,771 (about US$4,290)), for the last 6 months | dof.gob.mx | 2026-10-26 |
| Argentina | Temporary residence – RentistaThrough the separate Pensionado category | Yes, through the sibling Pensionado category (art. 23 c) at the same 5 × SMVM floor. A pension from a government, an international body or a private company counts.Official text: “Constancia expedida por un gobierno, un organismo internacional o una empresa particular que certifique la percepción de una pensión o jubilación en forma regular y permanente, de un monto igual o superior a la suma de CINCO (5) Salarios Mínimo Vital y Móvil.” (checked 2026-10-26) | 5 × SMVM (ARS 1,956,000 (about US$1,270)/month from Oct 1, 2026) | argentina.gob.ar | 2026-10-26 |
| Uruguay | Legal permanent residence | Yes. A foreign retiree or pensioner is a named route. The minimum income is one national minimum wage, UYU 25,383 (about US$631) nominal per month (Email reply from Dirección Nacional de Migración (Uruguay), Oct 27, 2026).Official text: “Rentista, jubilado y pensionista en el exterior: Presentar certificado notarial donde conste dicha calidad, concepto de las rentas, monto mensual nominal y como se percibe en Uruguay.” (checked 2026-10-26) | 1 national minimum wage (UYU 25,383 (about US$631)/month), per DNM email reply, Oct 27, 2026 | gub.uy | 2026-10-26 |
| Paraguay | Temporary → permanent residence | Yes. 'Jubilados o pensionados' is one of 12 categories for proving economic solvency for permanent residence (Res. DNM 407/2026, in force for filings from July 6, 2026). No amount is set.Official text: “Los solicitantes que invoquen esta categoría deberán presentar una Constancia de jubilación o pensión, el cual deberá contener la indicación del monto percibido y el medio financiero en el cual recibe.” (checked 2026-10-26) | No fixed amount in Res. 407/2026 | migraciones.gov.py | 2026-10-26 |
| Ecuador | Temporary residence – RentistaThrough the separate Jubilado category | Yes, through the sibling Jubilado visa at the same 3 × SBU floor. Public or private pensions count.Official text: “certifique el pago mensual de la pensión procedente del exterior por concepto de jubilación a favor del solicitante, igual o superior a tres Salarios Básicos Unificados del trabajador en general” (checked 2026-10-26) | 3 × SBU (US$1,446/month in 2026) | gob.ec | 2026-10-26 |
| Peru | Resident Rentista | Yes. A retirement pension of Peruvian or foreign source of at least US$1,000/month net.Official text: “Percibir una pensión de jubilación o renta permanente, de fuente peruana o extranjera” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$1,000/month net ('ingreso neto permanente mínimo') | gob.pe | 2026-10-26 |
| Chile | Temporary residence – Rentista | Yes. A retirement pension obtained under the rules of the applicant's country.Official text: “personas extranjeras que de conformidad con la normativa de su país de residencia hayan obtenido una pensión por jubilación” (checked 2026-10-26) | No fixed floor; must cover basic needs (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia indicators) | serviciomigraciones.cl | 2026-10-26 |
| Dominican Republic | Rentista residence (Ley 171-07)Through the separate Pensionado category | Yes, through the sibling Pensionado category of Ley 171-07, with a lower US$1,500/month floor. A pension from a foreign government, official body or private company counts.Official text: “Personas extranjeras o dominicanas, beneficiarias de una renta mensual correspondiente a una pensión o jubilación de un gobierno, organismo oficial o empresa privada de origen extranjero” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$1,500/month (pensionado); +US$250 per dependant | dgii.gov.do | 2026-10-26 |
| Brazil | VITEM XIV – retiree | Yes. Retirement income or a survivor (death) pension of US$2,000/month that can be transferred to Brazil.Official text: “Temporary Visa XIV, based on the transfer of retirement income and/or death pension benefit” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$2,000/month | gov.br | 2026-10-26 |
| Belize | Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) | Yes. Pensions and Social Security benefits are both listed.Official text: “Retirement Income includes: Pension Annuity Social Security Benefits Investment Account Inheritance Reverse Mortgage Personal Savings Retirement Contribution Plans And other means of retirement income” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$2,000/month (US$24,000/year) from outside Belize | belizetourismboard.org | 2026-10-26 |
| Portugal | D7 passive-income visa | Yes. Retirees prove their pension and that they will keep receiving it.Official text: “No caso de cidadão estrangeiro reformado, através de documento comprovativo do respectivo rendimento, bem como da garantia do seu recebimento” (checked 2026-10-26) | EUR 920 (about US$1,030)/month for the first adult (2026 RMMG); 50% per extra adult, 30% per child | files.diariodarepublica.pt | 2026-10-26 |
| Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) | Yes. Social Security and private or public retirement pensions are named.Official text: “In the case of retirees, the applicant may be a beneficiary of a life annuity. It can be Social Security Benefits, Private or Public Retirement pensions” (checked 2026-10-26) | €28,800 (about US$32,220)/year (400% IPREM); +€7,200 (about US$8,060) per dependant | exteriores.gob.es | 2026-10-26 |
| Italy | Elective Residence Visa (ERV) | Yes. Pensions are named.Official text: “dovranno provenire dalla titolarità di cospicue rendite (pensioni, vitalizi), dal possesso di proprietà immobiliari, dalla titolarità di stabili attività economico-commerciali o da altre fonti diverse dal lavoro subordinato” (checked 2026-10-26) | At least 3 × the Interior Ministry table A amount; consulates cite about €31,000 (about US$34,680)/year | esteri.it consparigi.esteri.it | 2026-10-26 |
| France | Long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS visiteur) | Yes. Pensions are named.Official text: “Il peut s'agir de vos propres ressources (rentes ou pensions, revenus immobiliers, etc.)” (checked 2026-10-26) | €1,477.93 (about US$1,650) net/month (SMIC) for a single person | service-public.gouv.fr administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr | 2026-10-26 |
| Greece | Financially Independent Person (FIP) | Yes. A foreign pension is named as proof of sufficient resources.Official text: “Το ύψος των επαρκών πόρων αποδεικνύεται από σύνταξη του εξωτερικού, τραπεζικό λογαριασμό ή αποδεικτικά στοιχεία ότι διαθέτουν εξ ιδίων ικανά οικονομικά μέσα” (checked 2026-10-26) | €3,500 (about US$3,920)/month; +20% spouse, +15% per child | migration.gov.gr | 2026-10-26 |
| Cyprus | Category F permanent residence | Yes. Pensions are named.Official text: “This income may include pensions, dividends from shares, fixed deposits interest, rents a.s.o.” (checked 2026-10-26) | €9,568 (about US$10,700)/year; +€4,613 (about US$5,160) per dependant | gov.cy | 2026-10-26 |
| Ireland | Stamp 0 – person of independent means | Yes. Finances 'must be in the form of pension income or readily accessible funds'.Official text: “Investment sums are not normally measured – finances must be in the form of pension income or readily accessible funds” (checked 2026-10-26) | €50,000 (about US$55,940)/year individual income, plus a lump sum for emergencies | irishimmigration.ie | 2026-10-26 |
| Thailand | LTR – Wealthy Pensioner | Yes. Pension is named.Official text: “unearned or passive income includes, but are not limited to pension, rental, realized capital gain, dividend and interest payments” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$80,000/year passive income (US$40,000–80,000 with a US$250,000 Thai bond or FDI investment) | ltr.boi.go.th | 2026-10-26 |
| Philippines | SRRV Classic | Yes. A lifetime pension puts you on the 'Pensioner' track with a smaller visa deposit (US$15,000 vs US$30,000 for Non-Pensioners aged 50+).Official text: “Proof of lifetime pension of at least USD 800.00/month for single applicants and USD 1,000.00/month for applicants with dependents” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$800/month single, US$1,000 with dependants (lifetime) | pra.gov.ph | 2026-10-26 |
| El Salvador | Residency (rentista / Freedom Visa)Through the separate Pensionado category | Yes, through the sibling Pensionado category (Ley Especial de Migración art. 144), with a lower floor of 3 minimum wages.Official text: “reciba pensiones mensuales, permanentes y estables provenientes del exterior, cuyo monto no sea inferior a tres salarios mínimos mensuales vigentes correspondientes al sector comercio y servicios” (checked 2026-10-26) | US$1,226.40/month (3 × commerce/services minimum wage) | transparencia.gob.sv | 2026-10-26 |
Verified NOT to accept pension income (1)
| Country | Program | What the official source says | Floor | Primary source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | Rentista Retirado (retired investor) | No. Income must come exclusively from interest on a fixed-term deposit at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros.Official text: “renta mensual de ochocientos cincuenta balboas (850.00), que provenga exclusivamente de intereses producto de depósito a plazo fijo en el Banco Nacional de Panamá o la Caja de Ahorro” (checked 2026-10-26) | — | migracion.gob.pa | 2026-10-26 |
Not yet verified (5): Costa Rica Rentista residence, Colombia Migrant (M) visa – pensioner, Colombia Visitor (V) Rentista, UAE Retirement residence visa (55+), Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay, 50+). We won't publish an answer for these until an official source confirms one.
No income test (2): Panama Friendly Nations (Países Amigos) residence, Malaysia MM2H Silver. These qualify by deposit, property, investment or a job instead.
The documents each program asks for as proof are on its visa page (follow the program link). Where a floor is listed it is the program's own minimum for that income, in its own currency. A separate category (for example a Pensionado route under the same law) can have a different floor.
Check your income against these floors All visa programs →
Other income types: dividends · rental income · annuity income · Social Security.
Even if your income type counts, that isn't approval. Consulates decide, and rules change. Estimates, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the consulate or immigration authority before you apply.
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“About US$” figures are approximate, converted at official reference rates (central banks; for COP, the TRM) for Oct 26, 2026: BCRA 1 USD = 1,541.00 ARS; ECB 1 EUR = 1.1188 USD; Banxico 1 USD = 18.5798 MXN; BCU 1 USD = 40.214 UYU. The amount in local currency is the official one.