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Requirements to Obtain an Immigrant Visa as an Employee of the Panama Canal Authority

Permanent Employees of the Panama Canal Authority (Ex-Panama Canal Commission) can request an immigrant visa (see Requirements for an Immigrant Visa).  

It is necessary to present the application, and upon completion of the year from the date of its approval, the applicant may request that they be granted Permanent Residency with the right to a Cedula (Id. card). 

Nevertheless, it should be noted that once the Immigrant Visa has been requested, the applicant will receive a temporary card, valid for three (3) months, while their immigrant visa is being processed.  Where the approval is not received within these three months, the three-month permit will be renewed for an equal period.  Upon approval of the immigrant visa, the applicant will receive their immigrant card as a Permanent Employee of the Panama Canal Authority and the corresponding stamp in their passport.   

Before the expiry of the Immigrant Visa, the applicant should apply for Permanent Residency wit the right to a Cedula.  (See requirements).  The delay between the applicant for the visa until the applicant actually receives Permanent Residency with the right to a Cedula is approximately two years.  

The same process is followed upon receipt of the application for Permanent Residency - the applicant will receive a temporary card until the permanent residency has been approved.  Upon approval, the applicant will receive a permanent residency card, as well as the letter authorising the issuance of the Cedula (personal identity card). 

After five years of consecutive residency in Panama, counted from the approval of the Immigrant Visa, the applicant will be eligible for citizenship (naturalization).  

Note:  All documents which are issued overseas must be duly authenticated via Apostille or by the closest Panamanian Consulate or Embassy in the applicant's home country, and by the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Prepared by Beth Anne Gray J. & Roberto Ríos

Requirements to Obtain an Immigrant Visa as a Permanent Employee of the Panama Canal Authority 

1. Power of Attorney & Application through a lawyer/law firm. 

2. Certified cheque or cashier's cheque for one hundred balboas (B/. 100.00) to the National Treasury.  (*1 balboa = 1 USD)

3. Certified cheque or cashier's cheque for five hundred balboas (B/.500.00) to the Ministry of Government and Justice, as a repatriation deposit. 

4. Medical Certificate of good health, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date.  (Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number). 
5. AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date.  (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number).  

6. Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the applicant's country of origin (only where the applicant has lived for less than 5 years of continual residence in Panama). 

7. Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.) 

8. Fotocopy of the passport page where the applicant's general details and photo appear.  

9. Four (4) passport-size photos. 

10. Certification of the names and nationalities of the applicant's parents. 

11. Original passport, which must be valid for at least six months. 

12. Copy of the Employment Contract with the Panama Canal Authority. 

13. Certification of the Administrator of the Canal Authority which shows that the applicant is a permanent employee of the Authority. 

Note:  Where the applicant has dependents, the following documents should be provided: 

Requirements to Obtain Permanent Residency with the Right to a Cédula as a Permanent Employee of the Panama Canal Authority

1. Power of Attorney & Application through a lawyer/law firm. 

2. Medical Certificate of good health, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date.  (Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number). 
3. AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date.  (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number).  

4. Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.) 

5. Fotocopy of the passport page where the applicant's general details and photo appear.  

6. Four (4) passport-size photos. 

7. Certification of the names and nationalities of the applicant's parents. 

8. Original passport, which must be valid for at least six months. 

9. Copy of the Employment Contract with the Panama Canal Authority. 

10. Certification of the Administrator of the Canal Authority which shows that the applicant is a permanent employee of the Authority. 

11. Certificate of Good Standing for the Applicant - issued by the Ministry of Economy & Finance. 

12. Expired Provisional Residency permit. 

Note:  Where the applicant has dependents, the following documents should be provided: 

Prepared by Beth Anne Gray J. & Roberto Ríos

[ Investor ] [ Personal Income ] [ Married to Panamanian ] [ Small Investor ] [ Dependent of Resident ] [ Agricultural Investor - Farmer ] [ Reforestation ] [ Employee - Panama Canal ] [ Work Permit ]