💼 Immigration & residency · data checked on 28 Oct 2026
Work permit for foreigners in Panama
Residency lets you live in Panama; a work permit lets you work for an employer here. It is issued by the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL) and there are several types depending on your situation.
Apply for the work permit with Trámites Visa Panamá → Free consultation
Who is it for?
Foreigners hired by a company in Panama, spouses of Panamanians, long-term residents and Friendly Nations or investor residents who want to work.
Key facts · data checked on 28 Oct 2026
- Rule
- Labour Code and Executive Decree 6 of 13 Apr 2023
- Type 2A / 2B
- Ordinary staff within 10% of the payroll / specialist or technician within 15%
- Type 1
- Counted as local labour: 10+ years of residency (indefinite), Panamanian spouse and other cases
- Type 4A / 4B
- Friendly Nations residents / qualified investors
- Costs and timelines
- See MITRADEL's fee table
General requirements
- Registration in MITRADEL's National Migrant Labour Registry (filiation process).
- An immigration status that allows it (residency or application in progress) and employer documents.
- Some regulated professions are reserved for Panamanians: check MITRADEL's list.
- The remote worker visa does not allow working for Panamanian companies.
Next step
Free consultation with Trámites Visa Panamá
This form belongs to tramitesvisapanama.com: your request goes straight to their team, who will contact you by WhatsApp or email with a verified specialist.
Can't see the form? Open it on tramitesvisapanama.com →
FAQ
Do I need a work permit if I have residency?
In general yes: the Labour Code requires every migrant worker to hold MITRADEL authorisation. The type depends on your residency and situation.
How many foreigners can a company hire?
Up to 10% of its workers as ordinary staff and up to 15% as specialists or technicians. Special regimes sit outside those quotas.
Official sources (data checked on 28 Oct 2026): MITRADEL – Migración laboral (DE 6 de 2023)
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change: confirm them with the National Immigration Service or a lawyer before deciding. Where it says "ask", the authority does not publish that information and we do not make it up. TuHogar en Panamá is not a law firm or an immigration agency.