New rules for foreign residents in Panama
The Republic of Panama has issued new guidelines for foreigners residing in our country. Below, we detail the most relevant ones: Foreign work permits for specific countries for 3 years.
Executive Decree No. 9 of April 23, 2019.
As of April 25, 2019, new rules were established regarding the issuance of Work Permits for foreigners with Permanent Residence Permits as Nationals of Specific Countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama, granted by the National Immigration Service (SNM).
Comments:
The work permit will be issued provisionally for three years, renewable for the same term. Previously, it was granted indefinitely. It is established that applicants can apply for this work permit, even with a processing card, meaning that they do not necessarily need a resolution approving their permanent residence in Panama. Previously, applications could only be made with an approved residence resolution, which caused delays of approximately four months in the processing of work permits.
This work permit will cost $250.00, reduced from $500.00 previously.
For the renewal of this work permit, applicants must provide, in addition to the requirements established in the initial application, either: i) certification of nine Social Security (CSS) payments or ii) income declaration and national tax clearance.
Work permits under this category that are already approved will maintain their indefinite status.
Similarly, those work permits that are in process before the promulgation of this executive decree will be approved indefinitely, according to consultations with the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) authorities. Provisions for Venezuelans with expired or soon-to-expire passports.
Executive Decree No. 134 of April 23, 2019, amending Executive Decree No. 123 of March 26, 2019.
Venezuelans in Panama with expired or soon-to-expire passports may use these passports for up to two years from the original expiration date, if they have a renewal stamp from the Venezuelan Consulate or a passport validation letter.
Comments: This executive decree applies only to Venezuelan nationals within national territory. Venezuelans in Panama can process their migration procedures with expired passports up to two years after the original expiration date, provided they have: The renewal stamp issued by the Venezuelan Consulate; or The passport validation letter issued by the consulate, which must have a reference number verified in the database maintained by the Venezuelan Consulate in Panama.
This exception came into effect on March 27, 2019, for a period of 6 months, until September 27, 2019.
Online tourist visa procedures Executive Decree No. 100 of February 21, 2019 As of February 25, 2019, a new procedure was established for applying for a tourist visa to enter the Republic of Panama, applicable to i) foreign nationals requiring a tourist visa due to their nationality, and ii) where there is no consular representation of the Republic of Panama in their country of origin or residence.
Comments:
This executive decree applies only to foreigners who require a tourist visa (entry visa) to Panama due to their nationality and where there is no consular representation of Panama in their country of origin or residence. The foreigner must apply for the tourist visa through the SNM website and attach the required documents. Once the tourist visa to enter Panama is authorized, the SNM will issue a travel authorization document, which will be sent to the email address registered by the applicant and will have a reference number. This document must be printed and carried upon entry to Panama.
Advertisers Previously, these applications were submitted directly to the SNM and incurred a fee of $50.00. This decree allows for the online application and approval of the tourist visa at no cost. Fee for issuance of duplicate work permit card due to theft, robbery, deterioration, or loss. Resolution No. 166-DM-19 of April 17, 2019.
Mitradel established, through Resolution No. 166-DM-19 of April 17, 2019, that the cost for issuing a duplicate work permit card due to theft, robbery, deterioration, or loss will be $30.00. Comments: To request the duplicate, the interested party must submit: Formal application to Mitradel; Copy of the theft, robbery, or loss report; Advertisers Payment receipt from Mitradel; Copy of the resolution approving the work permit or a copy of the card; Copy of the permanent resident card issued by the Electoral Tribunal or immigration card. The cost of the duplicate card will be $30.00. This provision came into effect on April 22, 2019.
Advertisers Previously, for replacement of work permit cards, the interested party had to pay the card's value depending on the category of work permit held, which in some cases amounted to $500.00.
Tags in this article: foreigners, Migration, Mitradel, work permits, Residents in Panama
