Establish your professional connection with Panama through a valid employment contract with a Panamanian company.
The Employment Contract Option under Panama's Friendly Nations Visa allows eligible applicants to obtain residency in Panama through a formal job offer and an employment relationship with a Panamanian company.
This option is usually chosen by:
International professionals
Corporate executives
Remote corporate transfers
Technical specialists
Individuals relocating to Panama for job opportunities
Through this category, applicants can legally reside and work in Panama while carrying out professional activities within the country.
To qualify under this option, the applicant must:
Receive a formal job offer from a Panamanian company with a minimum salary of USD 1000.
Sign an employment contract that complies with Panamanian labor regulations
Obtain the registration (endorsement) of the employment contract before the Ministry of Labor
Demonstrate sufficient professional and immigration documentation
The sponsoring company must also comply with:
Panamanian labor laws
Payroll and social security requirements
Immigration compliance procedures
One of the main advantages of this route is that the employment contract can serve as the qualifying economic connection required under the Friendly Nations Visa program.
However, applicants must understand that:
The immigration residency process; and
The work permit process
are handled by separate government institutions and follow independent approval timelines.
The residency application is processed before the National Immigration Service, while the work permit is processed separately before the Ministry of Labor.
After approval of both the residency and the work permit, the applicant may legally:
Live in Panama
Work for the sponsoring company
Receive local salary payments
Engage in professional activities in compliance with Panamanian labor regulations
For those who do not have a local job offer, the incorporation of a new Panamanian corporation may also be considered, from which the applicant works for their own company and generates local jobs.
This option is especially attractive for applicants planning a long-term professional relocation to Panama. Requirements
Valid employment contract with a Panamanian company
The company must be in good standing with the Panamanian authorities
The contract must comply with Panama's labor laws
The work permit is processed simultaneously with the residency application
The work permit process before the Ministry of Labor generally requires an additional period of:
3 to 4 months of government processing
Once approved, the applicant must appear in person in Panama for:
Final photograph registration
Issuance of the work permit card
Physical presence is required for the final stage of issuing the work authorization.
No minimum investment
Government fees: from $2000 USD
Consider the other available options within the same program
Common questions answered before your consultation.
Yes. Eligible nationals can qualify through an employment contract with a Panamanian company, provided that the position, the employer, and the supporting documents meet the immigration and labor requirements. This route is suitable for professionals who plan to live and work legally in Panama.
Yes. Immigration residency and work authorization are separate processes. Applicants using the employment route must coordinate the residency filing with the work permit application before the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL) to ensure legal work authorization and compliance with Panamanian labor regulations.
The employer may need to provide corporate documents, the employment contract, tax or social security records, documentation of the legal representative, and other evidence required by the labor and immigration authorities. The exact documentation depends on the company's profile and the applicant's position.
Related topic: Panama Corporation (S.A.).
Yes. The main applicant can generally include eligible dependents within the immigration application. Dependents must submit their personal documents, proof of relationship, and any additional documentation required by the Panamanian immigration authorities. In addition, the main applicant's salary must be increased by at least one hundred balboas (B/.100.00) per month for each dependent included in the application.
The work permit process is separate and may require an additional 3-4 months after the immigration filing, depending on the category, documentation, and review by the authority. Legal coordination helps avoid timing issues between residency status and work authorization.
Schedule your initial consultation and let us guide you through the process. We respond within 1 business day.
Schedule a Consultation
Incorporation of a Corporation in Panama for business, investment, holding, real estate, banking and international operations, with an up-to-date focus on tax, accounting and economic substance compliance.
Residency for citizens of more than 50 friendly nations through property, a bank deposit, or employment. Work authorization included.
Permanent residency for retirees with a pension of $1,000/month. Extensive discounts on health care, entertainment, and more.
Permanent residency in Panama for Italian citizens under the Panama-Italy Treaty, with legal assistance to structure an economic or professional purpose, solvency, a Panamanian corporation, bank account opening, work permit, and tax planning.
