There is a shortage of qualified professionals in Panama, so if you have specific training, it will not be difficult for you to find work in this country.
A work experience in a foreign country is always a good letter of introduction.In addition to expanding your horizons and meeting new professionals, you will expand your cultural knowledge.
Review what you need to apply for your Residence Permit as a Professional..
You may apply for the Provisional Permanent Resident Permit as a Professional Foreigner if your profession is not limited by the Constitution of the Republic of Panama or by naturalization only for Panamanians.
Check if your profession is not legally limited or reserved only for Panamanians in the following list.listado.
The price for the application for the Residence Permit as a Professional comprises the following Expenses: (notarial, certifications, processing and residence card, multiple visas, mobilization, and transaction expenses, health certificate, diploma certification), and Legal fees.
The total cost amounts to US$ 2,260.00. Below we break down the price:
Expenses:
The total cost of Applicant Expenses is US$660.00. Breakdown below:
Legal fees:
The total cost of Legal Fees for the applicant without a dependent is US$1,600.00 (ITBMs tax is not included). Breakdown below:
The total cost does not include the payment of:
The requirements to apply for the Visa for Professionals are the following:
Foreigners in Panama can practice all those professions that, according to Panamanian Law, are not reserved for nationals. In Panama’s case, many professions are reserved exclusively for Panamanian nationals. For more information, click on the following link. protected professions in Panama..
A foreigner working legally in Panama must first have a Residence Permit in Panama. Once you obtain a Residence Permit or proof that you have applied for it, you can apply for a Work Permit, the requirements of which depend on the type under which the Residence Permit in Panama .has previously been requested.
It is important to mention that you cannot legally work in Panama without a Residence Permit. Therefore, the first procedure would be to request the Residence Permit before the National Immigration Service of Panama and, later or simultaneously, request the Work Permit before the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development of Panama. In this topic, we must mention the exception for workers of the Headquarters of Multinational Companies (SEM) , since they do not require a Work Permit to work in Panama.
To obtain a work visa you must previously have a Residence Permit issued by or pending before the National Immigration Service. In some cases, the application for the Residence Permit or Residence Visa goes in parallel with the application for the Work Permit.
To obtain a Work Permit you must meet the requirements established by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development in Panama. These requirements vary depending on the type of Residence Permit or Residence Visa held by the foreigner; that is, there are requirements for a Work Permit for:
NOTE: For each type of Residence Permit there are requirements to request the Work Permit.
To hire foreign personnel, the first thing to do is assess the immigration status of this professional. The same must have a Residence Permit and, in turn, a valid Work Permit to then proceed with the hiring.
Personnel or professionals who want to mobilize from their country of origin or residence to work in Panama or for a Panamanian company, must be evaluated under what concept they can request the Residence Permit.
There are several formulas for Panamanian companies to hire a foreign worker, depending in part on the nationality of this worker or professional and whether they have a Residence Permit.
Suppose the worker or professional does not have a Residence Permit in Panama. In that case, the company must evaluate within which of the categories of Residence Permit the worker can fall under according to the company’s reality.
In other words, it must be evaluated whether a job can be offered within the 10% of the Ordinary Personnel ,or better under the category of the Marrakesh Agreement (in the case of Colombian citizens), always with the employer's commitment to provide the documentation which, in each case, will be requested by the National Immigration Service in Panama.
