Provisional to Permanent Residence – Foreign Staff Hired by Private Companies
within the 10% quota
Panama's SNM grants foreigners hired by private companies, earning at least B/.850 per month, a provisional residence permit for two years, after which they may apply for permanent residence. The route sits within the limit on foreign staff (10% of ordinary personnel) and requires a work permit and a Ministry of Labour-endorsed contract.
1 entry rule for Panama based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Panama
Money
3
Currency
Panamanian Balboa
PAB
Panamanian Balboa
Cost of living
50
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–25%
Income tax (national)
ITBMS (VAT) 7%
Annual taxable income up to USD 11,000 exempt; 15% to USD 50,000; 25% above.
Living
1
Happiness
#37 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign employees with a job offer from a private company operating in Panama.
Eligibility
Employment
Hired by a private company in Panama under an employment contract endorsed by the Ministerio de Trabajo.
Minimum salary
You need a salary of no less than B/.850 per month.
B/.850
Minimum salary
Official wording
Salary of no less than B/.850 per month.
Quota
Your position must fall within the 10% of ordinary personnel allowed for foreign staff.
Official wording
The position falls within the 10% of ordinary personnel allowed for foreign staff.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementWork permit
- Document checklistNotarised power of attorney and application
- FeesCertified cheque to the Tesoro Nacional
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 9 documents
- 3 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Panama
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Panama
- Visit & tourismVisiting Panama
- Permanent residencePermanent Residence – Jubilado o Pensionado
- Investors & entrepreneursVisa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto
- CitizenshipNaturalisation
- Investors & entrepreneursPermanent Residence – Economic Solvency through Real Estate Investment
Work permits in other countries
- PeruCalidad migratoria Trabajador Residente
- French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia work authorisation and foreign trader card
- Papua New GuineaWork permit and work (entry) visa - now processed by the Immigration and Citizenship Authority
- PhilippinesPre-arranged Employment Visa 9(g) (Commercial) with DOLE Alien Employment Permit
- PakistanWork visa
- PolandWork permit for a Polish entity entrusting work to a foreigner (formerly type A) and temporary residence and work permit
