Panama Work Visa: Types, Requirements, and Application Process Explained

As one of Central America’s fastest-growing economies, Panama attracts professionals and skilled workers from around the world. Many seek opportunities with multinational companies, special economic zones, and the knowledge sector, while others relocate as digital nomads to benefit from Panama’s territorial taxation policy.

If you’re planning to work in the country, understanding the Panama work visa process is essential. In this guide, we explain the Panama work visa requirements, different categories available, and ways to obtain a work permit as a foreigner.

Panama’s Legal Framework for Foreign Workers

As a foreign worker in Panama, you typically have to obtain two separate documents:

1. A work visa, issued by the National Immigration Service
2. A work permit, issued by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (MITRADEL)

In some cases, you might be allowed to work without a work permit. Digital nomads, for example, don’t have to apply for a work permit, and neither do executives in the headquarters of multinational companies. If you belong to either of these groups, your visa will act as your work permit. 

Restricted Professions for Foreign Workers

To protect its domestic workforce, Panama has imposed restrictions on foreign workers in certain professions. Therefore, securing employment in these fields as a foreigner can be highly challenging, or even impossible. 

The full list of restricted professions is extensive, and it includes:

Sector	Examples of Professions
Health and medicine	Doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, radiologist, physiotherapist, nutritionist, veterinarian, laboratory technician, medical representative
Agriculture and environmental sciences	Agronomist, agricultural botanist, plant geneticist and pathologist, forestry engineer, horticulturalist, irrigation and drainage engineer
Construction and infrastructure	Construction engineer, foreman, civil, canal, and port engineer, municipal engineer, structural engineer
Energy	Thermal energy engineer, turbine engineer, hydromechanical engineer, hydraulic engineer
Architecture and design	Architect, structural architect, interior designer, architectural technician, engineer specializing in architectural drafting
Geology and surveying	Surveyor, geodetic engineer, hydrographic engineer, geophysical engineer, geologist, cartographer, hydrological engineer
Marine, navigation, and transport	Naval engineer, naval and marine machinery engineer, marine transport operations engineer, navigation and marine fishing engineer
IT	Computer engineer, information system engineer, system analyst, programmer
Social sciences, law, and economics	Social worker, economist, sociologist, legal and political scientist
Trades	Security guard, barber, cosmetologist, master plumber
Media	Journalist

Panama Visa Types: Which Visas Allow Work?

Panama has several programs across all major visa categories (non-resident, temporary residency, permanent residency) that you can apply for as a worker. Some of the more popular visa programs for workers include:

1. Friendly Nations Visa
2. Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers
3. Regular and Specialist Foreign Personnel Visas
4. Executives of International Companies Visa
5. Foreign Professional Visa

Friendly Nations Visa

The Friendly Nations Visa is a program that allows citizens of select countries to establish permanent residency in Panama following a two-year provisional period. 

You can apply for this visa if you have an offer of employment from a Panamanian employer, or if you meet one of the following two requirements:

1. Ownership of property in Panama worth at least USD 200,000
2. Placement of a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 200,000 in a Panamanian bank

The most important condition is that you’re a national of one of the following countries, which are deemed “friendly”:

Region	Countries
Europe	Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
North and Central America	Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, United States of America
South America	Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
Asia-Pacific	Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
Africa	South Africa

Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers

This visa allows you to stay and work in the country for nine months, with the option to extend your stay for an additional nine-month period. It doesn’t grant you temporary or permanent residency. 

To be eligible for the Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers, you have to:

• Work remotely for a transnational company or be self-employed
• Generate the income abroad (you cannot work remotely for a Panamanian company)
• Earn at least B/.3,000 (USD 3,000) per month (USD 36,000 per year)

Regular and Specialist Foreign Personnel Visas

Under these two visa programs, you can be granted a two-year provisional permit before becoming eligible for permanent residency. The two criteria you have to meet are a minimal salary of B/.850 (USD 850) per month, and one of the following:

1. An employment offer for regular work in a company that hires 10% of foreign workers at most
2. An employment offer for specialist work in a company with a maximum 15% of foreign workers

Executives of International Companies Visa

As an executive of an international company with a branch in Panama, you can get a temporary residency if:

• The effects of your company’s activities are focused abroad
• The company or the branch has to be operating for at least 10 years
• You have a minimum salary of B/.2,000 (USD 2,000)

Foreign Professional Visa

If you have a university degree in a recognized profession, you can apply for a provisional permit and become eligible for permanent residency if:

• The profession isn’t on the list of restricted professions for foreigners
• Your diploma can be nostrified in Panama

What Types of Work Permits Are There in Panama?

Panama has an elaborate system for regulating foreign workers, with over 30 work permits covering various industries, types of work, and applicants’ circumstances.

The permit you get will fall under one of the following categories:

Category	Who It Applies To
Considered local labor	Foreign workers who have 10 years or more of residence in Panama, are married to a Panamanian resident, or are parent of a Panamanian child
Percentages authorized by the labor code	Regular workers hired by companies limited to 10% of foreign workers, or specialists hired by companies limited to 15% of foreign workers
Special laws	Workers in the City of Knowledge Foundation zone, Panama Pacific Area, Colon Free Zone, or holders of the Multinational Company Temporary Personnel Visa
Special economic and investment policies	Qualified investors, self-solvent residents, and citizens of friendly nations who are also investors
Humanitarian protection	Refugees, asylum seekers, stateless status holders, victims of trafficking, persons under the protection of the State
Special conditions	Friendly nations’ citizens with employment, self-employed workers, professionals, and students
Temporary protection permit	Foreigners living in irregular conditions in the country
Humanitarian security protection permit	Foreigners in Panama without a regulated immigration status who wish to gain residency and a work permit in a single process

*Note that there are 32 different types of work permits in Panama, so the list is not exhaustive. Additionally, the eligibility section is condensed for readability and may not cover all specific cases.

Validity period varies from one permit type to another. Generally, a Panamanian work permit can be valid for: 

• A limited number of years (one, two, or three), with or without possibility for extension
• The duration of your employment contract

How To Get a Work Visa and Permit in Panama

The process of applying for a work visa and a work permit in Panama requires engagement from both you and your employer. They will have to provide you with specific documents and might also submit the work permit application on your behalf. 

The process of securing the legal right to work in Panama has three stages:

1. Getting a job offer
2. Applying for a Panamanian visa
3. Applying for a work permit

1. Getting a Job Offer

The majority of the work visa programs don’t allow you to apply without having a confirmed job offer from your Panamanian employer.

Your employer will have to issue you an Employment Letter. This document isn’t a full employment contract, but it carries more weight than a simple job offer and should contain the following information:

• Your job and title
• Your salary
• A clause committing to cover possible repatriation expenses

Your employer may also be required to perform other administrative tasks, such as registering you with the Panama Social Security and the National Registry of Migrant Labor. 

2. Applying for a Panamanian Visa

Your application for a Panamanian visa has to be submitted by a Panamanian immigration lawyer. Regardless of your chosen visa program, the application will have to contain the following documents:

• Power of Attorney and the Application
• Three passport-sized photographs for yourself
• Certified copy of your passport
• Criminal Background Certificate
• Health Certificate
• Sworn Statement of Personal Background

Each visa program also has specific requirements you have to document in the application:

Visa Program	Requirements
Friendly Nations	Employment Letter Company Public Registry certificate and Operating Certificate Copy of work permit application
Remote Worker	Copy of medical insurance in Panama Employment Letter and proof of the existence of a foreign company if employed Proof of company ownership and a statement describing it if self-employed/independent
Regular and Specialist Foreign Personnel	Employment Letter and contract approved by MITRADEL Copy of the company’s Operating Licence and Public Registry certificate Work permit Affiliation with Social Security Tax clearance certificate
International Executive	Proof of the existence of the company or its subsidiary Employment Letter The company’s financial statement for the last two years
Foreign Professional	Certified copy of a diploma Diploma nostrification

3. Applying for a Work Permit

After your visa application is submitted, your employer should have their lawyer submit a work permit application to MITRADEL. The application typically consists of the following documents: 

• Affiliation Document with the National Registry of Migrant Labor
• Power of Attorney and an Application
• A certificate from the National Immigration Service stating your immigration status
• A copy of your passport or a validation from the Single Immigration Registry
• A copy of your residence card, if available 

The application may also need to include proof of your specialty or technical certification if you’re applying as a specialist foreign worker.

Additionally, your employer will generally need to submit documents similar to those you provided with your application, including the Employment Letter and contract, Public Registry certificate, and Operating Certificate. They may also need to provide proof of payment from the Social Security Fund.

Panama Work Visa and Permit Cost

During the application process, you will accrue the following administrative costs:

Fee	Amount
National Treasury Panama fee (visa)	B/.250 (USD 250)
National Immigration Service fee (visa)	B/.800 (USD 800)
Card fee (work permit)	B/.80 or B/.100 (USD 80 or USD 100)

Visa fees aren’t the only costs you’ll encounter during the process. You should also factor in additional expenses, such as document naturalization, translation, and stamp duty in Panama. Make sure to account for the fees your immigration lawyer charges as well. 

Separate visa and work permit application processes in Panama involve different fees, document requirements, and timelines. Any small mistake might lead to delays, further costs, and potential loss of economic opportunity. To avoid these issues, partner with Nomad Capitalist for expert assistance with your application.

Secure Your Panama Visa With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm helping high-net-worth individuals preserve their wealth, acquire residency, and explore investment opportunities abroad. We’ve helped more than 1,500 clients achieve their global mobility goals and capitalize on the advantages offered by different tax jurisdictions. 

Our core service involves creating an Action Plan tailored to each client’s specific circumstances. In the Plan, we outline all the necessary steps to achieve the objectives defined in collaboration with the client. The process of creating the Action Plan includes:

1. A short form every client needs to fill out to help us determine whether we’re a good fit
2. A 45-minute onboarding call with the client to help us understand their situation and goals
3. Presentation of the Action Plan for the client’s approval
4. Implementation of the Plan across 12 months
5. Ongoing support after the Plan is implemented

Choosing to work with Nomad Capitalist will ensure your application for the work visa is complete and submitted on time. We can also help you apply for citizenship after meeting the necessary requirements and explore different investment opportunities in Panama. Get your Action Plan today!