Employee of a Panamanian company
Reviewed by Hassim Patel Bhana, Managing Partner · Updated
This route is for workers hired by a private Panamanian company within the legal quota of foreign staff: 10% of ordinary staff, or 15% of experts and technicians. It requires an employment contract endorsed by the Labor Ministry, and specialists within the 15% quota need a salary of at least $850 a month.
Key points
- For foreign staff hired by a private Panamanian company.
- The company must have room within its quota: 10% of ordinary staff, or 15% of experts and technicians.
- The employment contract must be endorsed by the Labor Ministry.
- Experts and technicians within the 15% quota need a salary of at least $850 a month.
- It grants provisional residency for two years, then permanent residency.
- Each one must be apostilled, or legalised, in the country that issued it.
- Each one must be translated into Spanish by an authorised public translator in Panama, which the firm coordinates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quota?
A Panamanian company may employ foreigners up to 10% of its ordinary staff, or 15% for experts and technicians.
What if the company is already at its quota?
Then this route is closed for that hire, and another one has to be found. Which depends on the person and the company.
Does the contract need anything special?
Yes. It must be endorsed by the Labor Ministry.
How long are my documents valid?
Six months from the date each document was issued, not from the date it was apostilled. That is why we ask you to request them close to filing rather than at the start of your planning.