Panama

10% Ordinary Personnel Visa (Personal Extranjero 10% Personal Ordinario)

Work permit for foreign employees hired under the 10% quota for ordinary personnel in private companies.

15% Quota — Specialized/Technical Personnel Work Visa - 15% Quota (Permiso de Trabajo Personal Especializado)

Employer-sponsored work visa for supervisory, managerial, and technical expert roles, subject to the 15% trusted personnel quota per company

ACP — Canal Authority Visa (Visa de la Autoridad del Canal de Panamá)

Special work visa for foreign nationals employed by the Panama Canal Authority in operational, technical, or administrative roles

Agricultural Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista Agrícola)

Temporary residency for investors putting $60,000+ into agriculture or aquaculture projects approved by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, renewable for up to 6 years

Business Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista Empresarial)

Residency for entrepreneurs investing at least $160,000 in a legitimate new business and hiring a minimum of 5 Panamanian employees

Cultural, Sports, and Entertainment Visa

Work visa for artists, musicians, athletes, and entertainers performing single events or limited engagements in Panama.

Dependent Visa (Visa de Dependiente)

Residency for spouses, children under 25 (if studying), disabled relatives, and parents of Panamanian permanent or temporary residents of 2+ years

Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital)

Short-stay non-resident visa for foreign remote workers earning USD 36,000+ from abroad; valid 9 months, extendable once to 18 months total.

Diplomatic Visa (Visa Diplomática)

Visa for accredited diplomatic and consular agents, foreign officials of international missions, and personnel of international or intergovernmental organizations

Domestic Worker Visa (Visa de Trabajadores Domésticos)

For foreign nationals employed as domestic workers (e.g., cleaners, nannies, gardeners, drivers).

EMMA Multinational Manufacturing Visa (Visa EMMA)

Work visa for employees of multinational manufacturing and services companies (Empresas Multinacionales de Manufactura) operating in Panama, quota-exempt

Free Trade Zone Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista en Zona Franca)

Permanent residency for investors establishing export-oriented businesses in designated free trade zones with minimum 10-year land rental agreements

Friendly Nations Visa (Visa de Países Amigos)

Residency for citizens of 50+ designated countries who establish economic ties through employment, real estate purchase ($200,000+), or bank deposit in Panama

Humanitarian Security Protection Permit (Permiso de Protección Humanitaria)

New 2025 regularization program granting 2-year provisional residency to irregular migrants who have resided in Panama for at least one year, extendable up to 6 years

Macro-Company Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista en Macro Empresa)

Permanent residency for investors making large-scale investments ($160,000+ in company equity) in projects generating significant employment

Marrakech Agreement Visa (Visa del Acuerdo de Marrakech)

Work visa for a single foreign employee at small businesses with 3-10 Panamanian workers, requiring minimum $1,000/month salary

Married to Panamanian Visa (Visa por Matrimonio con Panameño)

Residency for foreign spouses of Panamanian citizens, with 2-year provisional period including home visits before permanent residency qualification

N/A — Researcher and Exceptional Talent Residence Permit

Two-year renewable provisional residence permit for distinguished researchers and exceptional talents affiliated with a recognized Panamanian academic or scientific institution.

PPT-PROF — Professional Foreigner Visa (Visa de Profesional Extranjero)

Permanent residency for foreign professionals holding validated university degrees in fields not restricted to Panamanian nationals

PRP-CPI — Italy-Panama Agreement Visa (Visa del Acuerdo Italia-Panamá)

Immediate permanent residency for Italian citizens who demonstrate economic ties to Panama through property ownership, business incorporation, or employment

Parent of Panamanian Child Visa (Visa por Hijo Panameño)

Residency for foreign parents of Panamanian-born children, available after the child reaches age 5 with a 2-year provisional period

Pensionado Visa (Visa de Jubilado o Pensionado)

Permanent residency for retirees receiving a lifetime government or institutional pension of at least $1,000/month, with extensive senior discounts

Pensioner/Retiree Visa (Visa de Pensionado)

Permanent retirement residency under Panama's Law 9 of 1987 for pensioners with at least $1,000 monthly income, offering statutory discounts on utilities and healthcare.

Private Income Retiree Visa (Rentista Retirado)

Permanent residency for retirees who open a certificate of deposit at Banco Nacional generating $850/month in interest income

Qualified Investor Visa - Golden Visa (Visa de Inversionista Calificado)

Fast-track permanent residency (30 days) for high-net-worth investors with $300,000+ in real estate, $500,000+ in securities, or $750,000+ in bank deposits

Reforestation Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista Forestal)

Residency through investment in authorized reforestation projects — $100,000 for temporary or $350,000 for immediate permanent residency on 5+ hectares

Religious Worker/Missionary Visa (Visa de Trabajador Religioso/Misionero)

Residency for religious personnel including Catholic and Orthodox clergy, pastors, rabbis, ministers, and leaders of recognized religious denominations serving in Panama

Residencia Permanente de Refugiados

This permit is available to individuals who have been officially recognized as refugees by the National Commission for Refugee Protection (CONARE) in Panama.

SEM Visa — SEM Multinational Headquarters Visa (Visa de Empresa Multinacional SEM)

Work visa for employees of multinational companies with regional headquarters (Sede de Empresa Multinacional) in Panama, exempt from foreign worker quotas

Self-Economic Solvency Visa (Visa de Solvencia Económica Propia)

Residency for individuals investing $300,000+ in Panamanian real estate, bank CD, or combination thereof, with optional work permit

Short Stay Visa as Merchants and Investors by Special Laws

Short stay visa for merchants, investors, and corporate representatives conducting business or exploring investment opportunities in Panama, valid for 9 months.

Short Stay Visa for International Humanitarian Assistance

Short stay visa for aid workers and specialists affiliated with governmental bodies or NGOs responding to disasters or crises in Panama, valid for 9 months.

Short Stay Visa for Medical Treatment

Short stay visa for patients undergoing diagnosed medical treatment at a licensed Panamanian institution, valid for 9 months with no right to work.

Short Stay Visa for the Banking Sector

Short stay visa for financial executives, auditors, and consultants performing banking operations verified by the Superintendent of Banks, valid for 9 months.

Short Stay Visa to Visit Relatives

Short stay visa for foreign nationals visiting a spouse, parent, child, or sibling who is a Panamanian citizen or legal resident, valid for 9 months.

Short-Stay Visa for Remote Workers (Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto)

Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)

Temporary residency for foreigners enrolled at accredited Panamanian educational institutions, renewable annually for up to 6 years, with optional part-time work permit since 2023

Tourist Visa (Visa de Turista)

Short-term entry permit for visitors, with stays ranging from 30 to 180 days depending on nationality

Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)

Visa for foreign nationals passing through Panama en route to another destination

V-AVIACION — Aviation Personnel Visa (Empleado de Empresas de Aviación)

Work permit for foreign personnel employed by aviation companies operating in Panama.

V-MARINO — Seafarer Visa (Visa de Marino)

For foreign seafarers entering Panama to join a vessel with an international navigation license.

V-TET — Temporary Workers and Technicians Visa (V-TET)

Employer-sponsored work permit for temporary workers and technicians with specialized skills scarce in Panama's labor market, valid up to 5 years.

Visa for Researchers and Scientists

Short-term visa for academic researchers, scientists, and visiting scholars conducting research in Panama.