How to obtain the Student Visa in Panama?

To the question: how to obtain the student visa in Panama? we have a short and efficient answers. Panama currently offers a wide variety of universities. We can find branches of foreign universities that allow you to study at their headquarters in Panama, as is the case of Florida State University as well as national universities with high prestige in the region, such as the Technological University of Panama.

The advantages of studying in Panama both in local universities and in foreign located universities are really tempting: the cost of tuition is lower, the cost of living is also more affordable (if we compare, for example, living in the United States), it is a safe and cosmopolitan country.

Therefore, if you are a foreigner, Panama can be an interesting destination to send your child to study.

What do I need to study in Panama?

If you are a foreigner and you decide to choose Panama as a country to pursue your university studies, you must fulfill a series of requirements to obtain a temporary resident visa for educational reasons.

The requirements to obtain your student visa in Panama are as follows:

1.  Power of Attorney and Application (notarized). It is not necessary to have a legal Attorney.
2.  Three (3) passport size photographs.
3. Copy of the passport (Notarized or corresponding authorization)
4. Certificate of Criminal Record (being of legal age). There are cases in which this type of document does not exist in the applicant's country of origin, therefore the interested party must provide a certification from a Diplomatic Agent or Consular Agent of his/her country of origin accredited in the Republic of Panama, said certification must ratify the non-existence of said certificate in the applicant's country of origin.
5. Health Certificate.
6. Certified Check for B/250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.
7.  Personal Background Affidavit Form.
8. Letter of Admission from the Educational Center (preferably recently issued). Ideally less than three (3) months old.
9.  Receipt of payment of tuition (original and copy) at the Study Center.
10. Certificate from the study center, containing the following information:
    1. General information about the applicant.
    2.  Duration of the course to be attended by the applicant.
    3. Shift attended and the subjects enrolled according to the study plan to be followed by the applicant.
11.  In the case of a university course that is taught exclusively at night, a certificate from the university's center must be provided, accrediting that this career is only taught at night.
12. Proof of financial solvency of the applicant or of the person responsible for his/her financial support. Solvency shall be verified by one of the following documents:
    1. Document that proves that the student is the holder of a scholarship.
    2. Proof of Financing.
    3. Bank letter in favor of the applicant or responsible person, indicating a solvency commensurate with the expenses to be borne to cover the costs of studies and subsistence.
13.  Letter of Responsibility (in case of a third party responsible).

Observation: In the case of a minor, the application must be submitted by the parents or the person in charge of the guardianship and upbringing, for which, in addition to the requirements established in this article, the following requirements must be provided:

•     Birth certificate of the minor.
•         Copy of valid identity card or migration card of the responsible person in Panama.

In the case of an extension of this permit, the above requirements must be presented with exception of the Criminal Record Certificate and the check. 

In addition, the following must be provided:

•         Official credits from the previous year (approved). It can only be requested if you have passed the course.

It is an annually renewable permit and may be extended up to six (6) times as long as it is demonstrated that the student has passed the studies for which he/she has requested the visa.

Can I work while I study?

It is essential to mention that this permit is temporary and it does not offer the person who holds it the possibility of working in Panama. You will only be able to carry out professional practices as a student and the courses required by the Educational Center.

If you have any questions about this type of permit, please do not hesitate to contact us.