Panama•North America1 month
300 USD
9 to 18 months
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
No
Allowed
Short-stay non-resident visa for foreign remote workers earning USD 36,000+ from abroad; valid 9 months, extendable once to 18 months total.
Panama's Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto, created by Executive Decree 198 of May 7, 2021, is a non-resident short-stay visa for foreigners working remotely for non-Panamanian employers or as self-employed serving foreign clients. It does not lead to permanent residency.
Applicants must show foreign-source income of USD 36,000+/year (USD 3,000/month), Panama-valid health insurance, a clean criminal record, and either an employer letter or proof of a foreign-registered own business. Filed via a Panamanian attorney with notarized Power of Attorney; USD 250 government fee plus USD 50 carne. Valid 9 months, extendable once to 18 months max.
This visa is ideal for established remote employees and freelancers with stable foreign income who want to live in Panama medium-term without competing in the local job market, but not for those seeking permanent residency.
Application fee | 250 USD |
Residence card issuance | 50 USD |
| Initial grant | 9 months |
| Extendable up to | 1.5 years |
Employed as operative of a foreign transnational company under teleworking modality, OR self-employed (trabajador autonomo)
Work must produce effects exclusively abroad (no effect on Panamanian labour market)
Minimum foreign-source annual income of USD 36,000 (or USD 3,000/month equivalent)
Sworn declaration of non-acceptance of work or services with Panamanian nationals, residents, tourists or companies
Valid health insurance covering Panamanian territory for the full stay
Clean criminal record (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
Education
none or higher
Min. Income
36,000 EUR/yr
Notarized power of attorney and application form (including parents' names and nationality)
Three (3) photographs
Notarized/authenticated copy of passport
Criminal background certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
Health certificate (Certificado de Salud)
Sworn declaration of personal background form
Health insurance policy valid in Panama for the full stay
Certification of existence of the foreign employer (or own foreign-registered company for self-employed)
Employer letter on letterhead signed by legal representative stating role, monthly income (>= USD 3,000), payment frequency, foreign source of funds, and repatriation commitment
Sworn declaration of non-acceptance of work in Panama
Bank certification or foreign/local bank statement proving foreign-source income
| Application Steps | Engage a Panamanian attorney (notarized Power of Attorney is mandatory); Gather and notarize/authent… | migracion.gob.pa |
| Legal Reference | Decreto Ejecutivo No. 198 de 07 de mayo de 2021 (en el marco del Decreto Ley 3 de 2008 y Decreto Eje… | migracion.gob.pa |
| Official Info | https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/18.REQUISITOS-PARA-SOLICITAR-VISA-DE-CORTA-ESTANCIA-… | migracion.gob.pa |
| Max Total Years | 2 | migracion.gob.pa |
| Required Docs | Notarized power of attorney and application form (including parents' names and nationality); Three (… | migracion.gob.pa |
| Requirements | Employed as operative of a foreign transnational company under teleworking modality, OR self-employe… | migracion.gob.pa |
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