Work and professional mobility
Work Visa for Foreign Professionals
For foreign professionals who wish to practice and live in Panama. The starting point is verifying that the profession is not among those the Constitution reserves for Panamanian citizens.
What it involves
What this category is
It allows foreign professionals to work and live in Panama, provided their profession is not constitutionally reserved for Panamanian citizens.
There is a list of restricted professions, which includes for example speech therapy and some other therapies.
Who it is for
- Professionals with a university degree seeking to practice in Panama.
- People with a job offer from a Panamanian company.
- Those already living in Panama temporarily who want to consolidate their status.
- Companies hiring or relocating foreign talent.
Key figures
The numbers and timelines that matter
- Profession requirement
- The profession must fall within the list of fields open to foreign nationals
- Transition to permanent
- After 2 years as a temporary resident
- Condition for permanent status
- Maintaining legal employment in Panama and evidencing financial stability
- After permanent residency
- The work permit no longer needs to be renewed
Documentation
Required documents
Every foreign document must be submitted translated into Spanish and legalized through an apostille or Panamanian consular authentication.
- Valid passport, with copies of all stamped pages.
- Four recent passport-size photographs with a white background.
- Authenticated documentation of the university degree.
- Verification that the profession falls within the list of fields open to foreign nationals.
- To move to permanent residency: evidence of current legal employment in Panama and of financial stability.
- To move to permanent residency: criminal record certificates from Panama and the country of origin, with no pending charges.
How we work
The process, stage by stage
Reviewing the profession
We verify your profession is not among those constitutionally reserved for Panamanian citizens.
Authenticating credentials
The university degree documentation is authenticated and the personal file is prepared.
Temporary residency and work permit
The immigration application and, where applicable, the labor process before the competent ministry are filed.
Permanent residency
After two years as a temporary resident, permanent status is requested with evidence of employment and solvency.
Additional considerations
- The residency process and the work permit process are separate and independent procedures.
The amounts, timelines and requirements on this page summarize the immigration rules in force at the time of review and may change by decree. This information is general, does not constitute legal advice and does not guarantee approval of any application: each case must be assessed individually.
Content reviewed in July 2026
Let us assess whether this category fits your case
Schedule an initial assessment and receive an honest review of your eligibility, along with the documents you would need.