Residence Permit for Foreign Professionals in Panama
The Residence Permit for Foreign Professionals may be assessed for individuals with university or professional training, provided that the profession is not reserved exclusively for Panamanian nationals and the applicable immigration, academic and documentary requirements are met.
Before starting the process, it is advisable to review the academic degree, the profession exercised, the available documentation, the possible homologation or revalidation of the degree and the requirements established by the competent authorities.
This permit may be assessed when the applicant’s profession is not restricted by the Constitution or Panamanian regulations to Panamanian nationals, and provided that the file meets the corresponding legal and documentary requirements.
FAQs Residence Permit for Professionals
Cost of applying for a residence permit as a professional
The price for applying for a Residence Permit under Professional Status consists of the following expenses: (including notary fees, certifications, processing and residence card, multiple-entry visa, transportation and transaction costs, health certificate, diploma certification) and legal fees.
The total cost is US$ 2,175.00. Below is a breakdown of the price:
Expenses:
The total cost of the applicant's expenses is US$ 575.00. Breakdown below:
National Immigration Service fees: US$366.00 (three hundred and sixty-six US dollars).
Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Mitradel fees: US$149.00 (one hundred forty-nine US dollars) Mitradel.
Legal fees:
The total cost of legal fees for an applicant without dependents is US$ 1,600.00. Breakdown below:
Residence Permit: US$ 1,200.00 (one thousand two hundred US dollars) for an applicant without dependents.
Work Permit: US$ 400.00 (four hundred US dollars) for an applicant without dependents.
The total cost does not include the payment of:
Certified check for US$800.00 (eight hundred US dollars) payable to the National Immigration Service.
Certified check for US$250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars) payable to the National Treasury.
Requirements for applying for a residence permit as a professional
The requirements to apply for a Professional Visa are as follows:
Power of attorney and application signed by the foreign national (notarized).
Three (3) passport-size photographs.
Duly certified copy of passport (notary or corresponding authority).
Criminal record certificate from your country of origin or last residence, duly apostilled.
Health certificate issued by a qualified Panamanian doctor.
Certified check for B/250.00 payable to the National Treasury.
Certified check for B/800.00 payable to the National Immigration Service.
Affidavit of Personal Background form.
Copy of university diploma or degree, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate, duly apostilled or authenticated by the authorities of your country.
Comply with the homologation or revalidation process before the corresponding national authorities, in this case the University of Panama or the Technological University.
What careers can foreigners pursue in Panama?
Foreigners may practice in Panama those professions that are not reserved for Panamanian nationals under the applicable regulations. Before starting the process, it is advisable to verify whether the applicant’s profession is restricted, requires homologation, professional licensing or specific authorization.
What does a foreigner need to work legally in Panama?
To work legally in Panama, a foreign national must review their immigration status and the possibility of applying for the corresponding work permit. The requirements may vary depending on the residence category, type of employment and applicable labor regulations.
In many cases, the immigration process and the work permit must be coordinated either in parallel or successively before the competent authorities, depending on the applicable category and the applicant’s specific situation. Certain specific categories, such as those linked to Multinational Company Headquarters (SEM), may have particular rules that must be reviewed according to the applicable regulations and the specific case.
How to obtain a work visa to work in Panama?
To apply for a work visa or work permit in Panama, it is normally necessary to have an applicable immigration category or an immigration process pending before the National Immigration Service. In some cases, both processes may be coordinated in parallel.
The Work Permit will be subject to the requirements established by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development. These requirements may vary depending on the immigration category, type of residence, profession, employer and labor regulations in force.
Permanent residents.
Temporary residents.
For humanitarian reasons (melting pot).
Foreign professionals.
Family reunification.
Spouse of Panamanian nationality.
Within 10% of ordinary staff.
Expert or technician within 15%.
Panama-Italy Treaty.
Marrakech Agreement.
NOTE: The requirements for applying for a work permit may vary depending on the type of residence permit, immigration category and labor regulations in force.
What should I do if I want to hire foreign staff or professionals?
To hire foreign personnel in Panama, it is necessary to review in advance the professional’s immigration and labor status, as well as the residence category, applicable work permit and documentation that the employing company must provide.
When a foreign professional is to be transferred to work in Panama or for a Panamanian company, it is necessary to analyze which immigration and labor category may fit the case.
There are different ways for a Panamanian company to hire foreign personnel, depending on nationality, professional profile, immigration category, labor situation and the requirements established by the competent authorities.
If the worker does not yet have a residence permit in Panama, the company must evaluate which immigration category may be applicable according to the worker’s profile, the company’s activity and the available documentation.
It must also be reviewed whether the case may fit within specific labor categories, such as the permitted percentage of foreign personnel, applicable agreements or special permits, always subject to the documentation required by the immigration and labor authorities.