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  •  /  Panama
  • Country Overviews

Panama

At a Glance

Capital Panama City
Language Spanish
Population 3,929,141 (2015 est.)
GDP Total $82.179 billion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $20,512 (2015 est.)
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

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, or 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 © 2020 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.


News and Events

2 Mar 21

COVID-19: Country’s rollout of vaccine to include foreign...

COVID-19 Panama

2 Sep 20

COVID-19: Commercial air travel resumes for citizens and...

COVID-19 Panama

9 Jun 20

COVID-19: Filing extensions announced for residence permits, other...

COVID-19 Panama

23 Mar 20

International flights halted to mitigate COVID-19 spread

COVID-19 Panama

19 Mar 20

Foreign travel suspension and quarantine announced

COVID-19 Panama

8 Oct 19

Reinstatement of Status process streamlined

Panama

27 Jun 19

Options expanded for SEM visa holders seeking permanent...

Panama

11 Jun 19

Sweeping immigration, labor law changes take effect

Panama

6 Jun 19

New regulations set for Specific Countries Permanent Residence

Panama

18 Oct 18

5-year business visas introduced for nationals of 5...

Panama

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At a Glance

Capital Panama City
Language Spanish
Population 3,929,141 (2015 est.)
GDP Total $82.179 billion (2015 est.)
GDP Per Capita $20,512 (2015 est.)

Related News

  • COVID-19: Country’s rollout of vaccine to include foreign...

    PANAMA   2 Mar 21

  • COVID-19: Commercial air travel resumes for citizens and...

    PANAMA   2 Sep 20

  • COVID-19: Filing extensions announced for residence permits, other...

    PANAMA   9 Jun 20

  • International flights halted to mitigate COVID-19 spread

    PANAMA   23 Mar 20

  • Foreign travel suspension and quarantine announced

    PANAMA   19 Mar 20

  • Reinstatement of Status process streamlined

    PANAMA   8 Oct 19

  • Options expanded for SEM visa holders seeking permanent...

    PANAMA   27 Jun 19

  • Sweeping immigration, labor law changes take effect

    PANAMA   11 Jun 19

  • New regulations set for Specific Countries Permanent Residence

    PANAMA   6 Jun 19

  • 5-year business visas introduced for nationals of 5...

    PANAMA   18 Oct 18

  • New visa rules now in effect for restricted...

    PANAMA   23 Aug 18

  • Entry visas eased for certain nationals

    PANAMA   9 Apr 18

  • Switch to online processing for minors’ exit permits

    PANAMA   23 Feb 18

  • Visa requirements eased for Chinese nationals

    PANAMA   28 Nov 17

  • Venezuela reciprocates with visa requirement for Panamanians

    PANAMA, VENEZUELA   30 Oct 17

  • Fines increased for immigration violations

    PANAMA   18 Sep 17

  • Panama to impose visa requirements for Venezuelans

    PANAMA, VENEZUELA   23 Aug 17

  • Panama shortens duration of stay for nationals of...

    PANAMA   8 Jun 17

  • Panama adopts new investment visa option for foreign...

    PANAMA   1 Jun 17

  • Panama revokes rule that would have impacted quota...

    PANAMA   24 Feb 17

  • New rule to affect counting of foreign-hire ratios

    PANAMA   16 Feb 17

  • Immigration changes touch on length of stay, temporary...

    PANAMA   30 Jan 17

  • New visa rules take effect for restricted nationals

    PANAMA   20 Jan 17

  • Panama drops salary minimum for certain international workers

    PANAMA   15 Dec 16

  • Entry procedures at airports could cause delay

    PANAMA   11 Nov 16

  • Method for calculating foreign worker quotas changed

    PANAMA   29 Aug 16

  • Immigration authorities enforcing visa-cancellation procedures

    PANAMA   21 Jun 16

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