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Work Permit

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Immigrant with a Work Permit

For those persons that wish to request an Immigrant Visa by virtue of a Resolution of the Ministry of Labour, it is first necessary to obtain the Work Permit. (See Requirements for obtaining a Work Permit).  

It is then necessary to present the application for an Immigrant Visa, and upon completing a year from the date of its approval, it is possible to request Permanent Residency with right to a Cédula. 

Nevertheless, it should be noted that upon requesting the Immigrant Visa, the applicant will receive a temporary permit, valid for three months, while the Immigrant Visa is being processed.  If, at the end of these three months, the application has not yet been approved, the applicant will receive another temporary permit, valid for a further three months. Upon the application being approved, the applicant will receive their immigrant card, based on their Work Permit, and the respective stamp in their passport, both of which are valid for one year.  

At the end of this year, the applicant may then apply for Permanent Residency, with the right to a cédula. (See Requirements) It takes approximately two years, from the original application for the immigrant visa, to obtain Permanent Residency. 

The same procedure is followed to request the Permanent Residency.  The applicant will receive a temporary card, valid for three months, while the application is being processed.  The temporary card may be renewed for a further three months if the application has not yet been approved.  Upon approving the application, the applicant will receive indefinite residency, with a letter authorising the issuance of a Cédula for personal identification.  

After five years of consecutive residency in Panama, as of the date of approval of the permanent residency, the applicant may request citizenship (letter of naturalisation). 

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 through a Resolution of the Ministry of Labour

Except in the case of technicians, an applicant must earn a minimum salary of USD$2,000.00. 

1. Power of Attorney and Application via an attorney/law firm.  

2. Certified cheque or cashier's cheque for One Hundred balboas (B/. 100.00) in favour of the National Treasury.   (1 balboa = 1 USD). 

3. Certified cheque or cashier's cheque for Five Hundred balboas (B/. 500.00) in favour of the Ministry of Government & Justice, which is a repatriation deposit.   (1 balboa = 1 USD). 

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. Original passport, which must be valid for at least six (6) months. 

11. Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the applicant's parents. 

12. Resolution issued by the Ministry of Labour (M.I.TRAB), authorising the applicant to work in Panama as an employee within the 10% or 15% or as Reliable Employee (Executive) or with an indefinite Work Permit.  (If, at the time of presenting the application, the applicant has not yet received their work permit, then they should present a certification from M.I.TRAB. which indicates that the application is being processed, or they may present on plain paper a simple copy of the Power of Attorney and Application presented to M.I.TRAB., but, upon approval of the work permit, it is necessary to present the same to the Immigration Department, so that the visa application can be processed.)

13. Work Reference on the letterhead of the Company, or Labour Contract with the seal of the Company, duly authenticated by M.I.T.R.A.B., together with a copy of the Commercial License of the Company.

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

Requirements to Obtain Permanent Residency with the right to a Cédula, through a Resolution of the Ministry of Labour 

1. Power of Attorney and Application via an attorney/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. Original passport, which must be valid for at least six (6) months. 

8. Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the applicant's parents. 

9. Resolution issued by the Ministry of Labour (M.I.TRAB), authorising the applicant to work in Panama as an employee within the 10% or 15% or as Reliable Employee (Executive) or with an indefinite Work Permit.  (If, at the time of presenting the application, the applicant has not yet received their work permit, then they should present a certification from M.I.TRAB. which indicates that the application is being processed, or they may present on plain paper a simple copy of the Power of Attorney and Application presented to M.I.TRAB., but, upon approval of the work permit, it is necessary to present the same to the Immigration Department, so that the visa application can be processed.)

10. Work Reference on the letterhead of the Company, or Labour Contract with the seal of the Company, duly authenticated by M.I.T.R.A.B., together with a copy of the Commercial License of the Company.

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

12. Receipt of the Panamanian Social Security Board. 

13. Expired Provisional Residency permit. 

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

1. Each dependent of legal age should issue a Power of Attorney to the lawyer/law firm to represent them; parents should issue the Power of Attorney for any minor. 

2. Medical Certificate, 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).  (*Not required for those younger than 12 years old). 

4. Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.)  (*Not required for minors). 

5. Photocopy of the principal page of the passport, where the dependent's general details are.  

6. Four (4) passport size photos for each dependent. 

7. Original passport, valid for at least six months. 

8. Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the parents of each applicant. 

9. Certificate of Good Standing for each dependent of legal age - issued by the Ministry of Economy & Finance. 

10. Expired Provisional Residency Permit for each dependent. 

11. Letter of responsibility from the principal applicant for each of the dependents.  

Prepared by Beth Anne Gray J. & Roberto Ríos

Requirements to Obtain a Work Permit

The Ministry of Labour will review all the documents presented.  This process can take between 3 months to a year.  Once the Ministry approves the work permit, they will issue a Resolution which is delivered to the Applicant, together with a card, which is valid for one year. Before this card expires, the applicant should request its renewal and present the documentation required. 

After 10 consecutive years of working in Panama with an immigrant visa, it is possible to request Permanent Residency.  

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