--- title: Residence Permit under the Condition of Professional in Panama description: 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. image: https://legalsolutionspanama.com/hubfs/Banner-residencia-3480x1000.png --- [![Legal Solutions Panama](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/hubfs/Legal_Site_2026/Logo/7aeee02d9a215b0bb03c3ca380ac7d4c36aa9c99.png)](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/) - [Home](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/) - [Establish a Company](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/attorneys-to-establish-a-company-in-panama/) - [Open Bank Account](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/open-bank-account-in-panama/) - [Residence Permits](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/residence-permits-panama/) - [Blog](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/blog) - [English](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/residence-permits-panama/professional/) - [Español](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/permisos-residencia-panama/profesionales/) - [Contact us](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/contact/) # Residence permit under the condition of professional in panama Provisional Permanent Resident Permit as a Professional Foreigner ## How difficult is it to get a job in Panama? Panama offers **opportunities for foreign professionals** who want to develop their careers and settle in a country with a dynamic economy and a privileged strategic position in the region. Work experience abroad can be an **excellent letter of introduction for a professional**. Besides broadening your horizons and building new professional relationships, it will help you gain international experience and expand your professional and cultural reach. You can apply for this permit as long as you hold a **university degree** and your profession is not among those that the **Panamanian Constitution or legislation reserves exclusively for Panamanian citizens, by birth or by naturalization**. Check whether your profession is restricted by law or reserved exclusively for Panamanians in our [list of professions reserved for Panamanians](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/blog/profesiones-reservadas-para-panamenos/) (in Spanish). ## Request more information about how to apply for this permit [Consult a Lawyer](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/contacto/) ## FAQ about the Residence Permit as a Professional #### Cost for the application of the residence permit under the condition of professional The price of the **Residence Permit as a Professional** for one (1) applicant is **US$3,828.60**, including legal fees, ITBMS, government checks and processing expenses: - **Legal fees:** US$1,650.00 - **ITBMS (7% Panama VAT) on legal fees:** US$115.50 - **Certified check payable to the National Immigration Service:** US$800.00 - **Certified check payable to the National Treasury:** US$250.00 - **Check payable to the University of Panama (degree validation):** US$500.00 - **Check certification:** US$32.10 - **Processing expenses (excluding translations):** US$391.00 - **Bank charges:** US$90.00 *Published prices apply to one (1) applicant only. They do not include dependents or official translations, whose costs vary depending on the number of dependents and the number of documents or pages that require translation.* If you are applying with dependents, we will calculate the exact cost of your case based on the number of dependents, their ages and their relationship to you. #### Requirements to apply for the residence permit under the condition of professional The requirements to apply for the **Visa for Professionals** are the following: 1. **Power of Attorney and Application** signed by the foreigner (notarized). 2. **Three (3) passport-sized photographs.** 3. **3. Duly revised passport copy(Notary or corresponding Authorization).** 4. **Criminal Record Certificate from your country of origin or last residence duly apostilled.** 5. **Health Certificate by a qualified Panamanian doctor.** 6. **Certified Check for B/250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.** 7. **Certified Check for B/800.00 in favor of the National Immigration Service.** 8. **Personal History Affidavit Form..** 9. **Copy of the diploma or university degree, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate duly apostilled or authenticated before the authorities of your country.** 10. **Comply with the homologation or revalidation process before the corresponding national authorities, in this case, the University of Panama or the Technological University.** #### What careers can foreigners practice in panama? 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. #### What does a foreigner need to work legally 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. #### How to get a work visa 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: - Permanent residents. - Temporary residents. - For humanitarian reasons (Crisol de Razas). - Professional foreigners. - Family reunification. - Spouse of Panamanian nationality. - Within 10% of ordinary staff. - Expert or technician within 15% of staff. - Panama-Italy Treaty. - Marrakesh Agreement. NOTE: For each type of Residence Permit there are requirements to request the Work Permit. #### What should i do if i want to hire foreign staff or professionals? 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. ## Guaranteed Final Price US$3,828.60 Price per applicant. Excludes dependents and official translations. [Get Information Now!](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/en/contact/) --- - Attorney Fees - Repatriation Checks - Notarial Fees - Immigration Processing - Degree validation (homologation) fees ![logo](https://legalsolutionspanama.com/hubfs/Legal_Site_2026/Logo/6c0299f6e2ecd003c08744b85129df3567e5cf56.png) Our platform makes accessing legal services easier and safer, with confidence and guarantees. Legal matters have never been so simple. Qualified lawyers at your service. 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