Assessing travel and visa obligations in Panama

When traveling to Panama, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

Traveling for business

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Panama, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • Attend business meetings and negotiations
  • Buy goods for sale outside the country
  • Tour a company facility
  • Receive classroom training

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Panama?

Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Panama. Additionally, many foreign nationals who normally require an entry visa to Panama but who have a valid visa or residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea or have a Schengen Visa may also be exempt from the entry visa requirement.

If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain a Tourist Visa from a Panamanian Embassy or Consulate prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

Working in Panama

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Panamanian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Panama, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • Systems installation
  • Hands-on technical work
  • Consulting
  • Software development
  • Auditing

Business visitors traveling to Panama to engage in select professional activities, such as establishing business subsidiaries, carrying out commercial transactions and/or participating as a bidder of public tenders, may be eligible to apply for a Short Stay Business Visa after arrival to Panama. Please consult with your immigration counsel for additional information and to determine your eligibility for a Short Stay Business Visa.

 

If I am traveling to Panama for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, nationality, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Panama. The most common types of work authorization for Panama are:

  • Transient Visa and Temporary Work Permit (short-term work authorization for technical activities)
  • Temporary Sedes de Empresas Multinacionales (SEM) Visa and Temporary Process Card (short-term work authorization for managers, executives and other highly skilled workers assigned to, or temporarily hired by, multinational companies headquartered in Panama)
  • Long-Term Sedes de Empresas Multinacionales (SEM) Visa and Temporary Process Card (long-term work authorization for managers, executives and other highly skilled workers assigned to, or temporarily hired by, multinational companies headquartered in Panama)
  • Temporary Residence Permit and Work Permit – Labor Code 10% (long-term direct-hire work authorization for those working in non-specialized industries)
  • Temporary Residence Permit and Work Permit – Labor Code 15% (long-term direct-hire work authorization for specialists, managers and those working in technical industries)
  • Foreign Professional Permit, Temporary Residence Permit, and Work Permit (long-term work authorization for those whose university degree was either obtained in Panama or validated by the University of Panama and who intend to work in specific job sectors not reserved for Panamanians)
  • Friendly Nations Residency Permit and Work Permit (long-term work authorization for nationals of countries on the Friendly Nations List)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Panama does not offer long-term work authorization exemptions.

What else should I know?

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.