Panama•North AmericaDigital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital)
At a Glance
1 month
USD $300
9 to 18 months
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Short-stay non-resident visa for foreign remote workers earning USD 36,000+ from abroad; valid 9 months, extendable once to 18 months total.
Panama's Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto, created by Executive Decree 198 of May 7, 2021, is a non-resident short-stay visa for foreigners working remotely for non-Panamanian employers or as self-employed serving foreign clients. It does not lead to permanent residency.
Applicants must show foreign-source income of USD 36,000+/year (USD 3,000/month), Panama-valid health insurance, a clean criminal record, and either an employer letter or proof of a foreign-registered own business. Filed via a Panamanian attorney with notarized Power of Attorney; USD 250 government fee plus USD 50 carne. Valid 9 months, extendable once to 18 months max.
This visa is ideal for established remote employees and freelancers with stable foreign income who want to live in Panama medium-term without competing in the local job market, but not for those seeking permanent residency.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 9 months |
| Extendable up to | 1.5 years |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Employed as operative of a foreign transnational company under teleworking modality, OR self-employed (trabajador autonomo)
Work must produce effects exclusively abroad (no effect on Panamanian labour market)
Minimum foreign-source annual income of USD 36,000 (or USD 3,000/month equivalent)
Sworn declaration of non-acceptance of work or services with Panamanian nationals, residents, tourists or companies
Valid health insurance covering Panamanian territory for the full stay
Clean criminal record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
36,000 USD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Notarized power of attorney and application form (including parents' names and nationality)
Three (3) photographs
Notarized/authenticated copy of passport
Criminal background certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
Health certificate (Certificado de Salud)
Sworn declaration of personal background form
Health insurance policy valid in Panama for the full stay
Certification of existence of the foreign employer (or own foreign-registered company for self-employed)
Employer letter on letterhead signed by legal representative stating role, monthly income (>= USD 3,000), payment frequency, foreign source of funds, and repatriation commitment
Sworn declaration of non-acceptance of work in Panama
Bank certification or foreign/local bank statement proving foreign-source income
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Legal authorisation to work remotely in Panama without an additional permit
- Foreign-source income earned during the stay is not taxed in Panama
- Accepts both foreign-employed and self-employed (autonomo) applicants
- Renewable once for a total stay of up to 18 months
- Government fees are low (USD 250 application + USD 50 carne)
Worth Knowing
- Non-Resident category — does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship
- Capped at 18 months total; cannot be extended a second time
- Requires a Panamanian attorney via notarized Power of Attorney to file
- Strict ban on accepting any work or services from Panamanian persons or companies
- Foreign documents must be apostilled/legalised per Article 247 of the Decreto Ejecutivo
- Annual foreign-source income below USD 36,000 (or USD 3,000/month)
- Income sourced from Panamanian persons or companies
- No valid health insurance covering Panama for the full stay
Application Process
Engage a Panamanian attorney (notarized Power of Attorney is mandatory)
Gather and notarize/authenticate required documents (passport copy, criminal record, health certificate, employer/business proof)
Have foreign-issued documents apostilled/legalised per Article 247 of the Decreto Ejecutivo
File application via attorney at Servicio Nacional de Migracion (SNM)
Pay USD 250 application fee to SNM and USD 50 for residence card upon approval
Apply for one-time 9-month extension before the initial 9-month period expires (if needed)
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Digital nomad visas in other countries
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