Work Option
Main Requirements:
Be hired by a Panamanian company in one of the following modalities:
10% - That the company has at least 10 Panamanian workers to support the hiring of a foreigner.
15% - The company must have at least 7 Panamanian workers to support the hiring of a foreigner as an executive (management) or specialized technician.
With any of the options, it is mandatory to process a work permit from the Ministry of Labor.
What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?
The existence of a company capable of hiring foreigners
Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where you have resided for the last 2 years. Adults only.
US Citizens: FBI
Citizens of Canada: RCMP
UK Citizens: NPCC
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Birth certificate of children (if you will include children as dependents)
Birth certificate of the principal (if he/she will include his/her parents as dependents)
There are other requirements, but these are managed with you in Panama and many are provided by the contracting company.
Who applies?:
The main applicant and his/her dependents may apply.
For immigration purposes, dependents are understood to be:
Spouse: It is mandatory to be formally married
Minor children
Older children between 18 and 25 years old
Parents of the principal applicant
How is the procedure carried out?
For the application process, it is mandatory that the main applicant and his/her family travel to Panama with the listed requirements. Only one family member cannot travel to represent everyone.
One visit is required for initial presentation and a second visit for completion.
First visit: Between 4 and 5 business days
Second visit: 2 business days
During the processing period, the National Immigration Service will provide the main applicant and dependents with identification as a “person in the process of residence”
During the period of the residency process, you and your family can travel outside of Panama without any restrictions.
Approval of the procedure takes on average 4 and a half months.
What document(s) need to be legalized for this procedure?
Criminal record
Marriage certificates (if applicable)
Birth certificate (both in cases of having dependent parents or in cases of having children).
Document validation:
It is extremely important to note that any type of document issued by another nation MUST be duly legalized. The legalization process is carried out at the Panamanian Consulate in the country where the documents are issued or through the Apostille seal, which is regularly obtained from the foreign ministries of the country of origin.
Benefits:
The 10% and 15% program grants temporary resident status initially for 2 years and prior to the completion of the 2 years, an application for permanent residence must be submitted.
Option to apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years or even in less time if the applicant is a citizen of a country with a diplomatic agreement for the elimination of time.