Employment   

Employment-Based Visas

The Permanent Residency in the Republic of Panama can be obtained through a variety of options based on the sponsorship of a Panamanian company. The employer must hire the foreigner for a job position based primarily on the proportion of National Workers that the company has.

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The contracting company must be a legally registered company in the Republic of Panama, registered with Social Security, and in compliance with its tax declarations. To submit this application, the company must make the request to the National Migration Service at the same time it applies for the Foreign Work Permit with the Ministry of Labor.

These Visas or Residence Permits grant the foreigner a temporary visa for 2 years, and upon expiration of this period, the company must apply for Permanent Residence for its employee. This visa is not renewable; upon the expiration of the 2 years of Provisional status, it must be converted to permanent.

During the course of the 2 years, the worker may change companies as long as the new company is eligible to process their residency when the time comes; otherwise, the foreigner will not be able to submit their application and will lose the previous process.

       Category   

The visas that are in this category are:

1. Visa or Residence Permit for Foreigners Hired by Private Companies under 10% of Regular Staff.
   The company can hire 1 foreigner for every 10 nationals registered in its employee roster with social security, to perform any position in the company.
   
   
2. Visa or Residence Permit for Foreigners Hired by Private Companies under 15% of Regular Staff. 
   The company can hire 1 foreigner for every 15 nationals registered in its employee roster with the social security. The position held by the foreigner must be one of an expert, technician, or trusted personnel.​

Special rules apply for calculating the 10% and 15% depending on the type of work permit that employees have in the requesting company. Some foreign work permits are counted as national for these purposes. If you are an employer interested in this permit, please contact us for a better analysis of your case.

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​Workers of Multinational Companies

» Permanent Staff Visa for Multinational Company Headquarters (SEM Visa).

Religious Workers

» As a lay missionary in the service of the Catholic and Orthodox Church.

» Permanent Residence Permit for Religious Reasons as Authorities, Ministers, Rabbis, Pastors, Leaders, or Religious Figures of other denominations or religious associations.

» Permanent Residence Permit for Religious Reasons as a Religious Worker in the Service of the Catholic and Orthodox Church.

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Workers in the City of Knowledge Area

» Temporary Residence Permit as a Researcher of the City of Knowledge Foundation.

» Temporary Residence Permit as a Teacher of the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.

Workers in the Colón Free Zone 

» Residence Permit for Employees Hired in Trust Positions, Expert Executives and/or Technicians in Companies within Free Trade Zones.

» Residence Permit for Workers hired in positions of trust, executives, experts, and/or technicians in commercial call center companies for export.

How can we help you?

Legalys has experience with this type of Visas and their Work permits. We can assess your company's setup and establish strategies to sponsor foreign employees.

If you are a foreigner with job offers or wish to change companies; if you need alternatives or types of employment contracts, please contact us.