Panama
General visa requirements for travelling to Panama. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Work Visa - Digital Nomad)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- Typically 60 days
- Fee
- $300 USD (application and processing fees)
- Validity
- Up to 1 year
- Entry
- Single entry
Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live in Panama while working for foreign companies or clients. Cannot work for Panamanian companies or clients while on this visa.
Eligibility
-
Financial
Minimum monthly income of USD $3,000 from foreign sources
Minimum funds: $3,000 USD monthly
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Employment
Must work remotely for company or clients outside Panama. Cannot work for Panamanian companies or clients while on this visa.
Required status: Remote work for foreign company or clients
-
Criminal record
Clean criminal record
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: No
-
Travel insurance
Coverage area: International health insurance valid in Panama; Minimum coverage: $50,000 USD
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, proof of remote employment, income verification, health insurance, and criminal record
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Document submission
Submit digital nomad visa application to National Immigration Service
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Fee payment
Pay application and processing fees
-
Processing wait
Wait for approval (typically 60 days)
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Visa collection
Receive digital nomad visa valid for up to 1 year
Work / Immigration visa (Work Visa - Friendly Nations)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Processing time
- 1-3 months
- Fee
- $250 USD (application and processing fees)
- Entry
- Single entry
The Friendly Nations Visa is a permanent residence permit for citizens of nations with friendly, professional, and commercial relations with Panama. Work permit can only be obtained after permanent residence is granted.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Must be a citizen of one of the 50 Friendly Nations countries
Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Province of China, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay
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Employment
Proof of economic or professional ties to Panama (employment contract, business registration, or investment)
Required status: Employment contract from Panamanian company or proof of business ownership
-
Criminal record
Clean criminal record from country of origin
-
Financial
Proof of economic solvency
Minimum funds: $5,000 USD
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Minimum amount: $5,000 USD
-
Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Health exam
Panel physician required: General health certificate; Validity months: 3
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, economic activity proof, criminal record, medical certificate, and proof of funds
-
Document submission
Obtain employment contract or establish business ties in Panama
-
Fee payment
Pay application and processing fees
-
Processing wait
Wait for approval (1-3 months typical processing time)
Work / Immigration visa (Work Visa - Temporary Specialist (9 months))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 270 days
- Processing time
- 1-2 months
- Fee
- $200 USD
- Validity
- Up to 9 months
- Entry
- Single entry
This relatively new visa comes with a work permit for a maximum of 9 months, intended as a temporary specialist position. Cannot work in professions reserved for Panamanian nationals (engineering, law, accounting, psychology).
Eligibility
-
Employment
Must be employed in a specialized position not reserved for Panamanian nationals. Cannot work in professions reserved for Panamanian nationals (engineering, law, accounting, psychology).
Required status: Specialized position with employer sponsorship
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Purpose of visit
Maximum period of 9 months, intended as temporary specialist position
-
Criminal record
Clean criminal record
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Document submission
Employer initiates work permit application
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Document gathering
Gather passport, employment contract, professional qualifications, and criminal record
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Fee payment
Employer pays application fees
-
Processing wait
Wait for approval (1-2 months)