Who are eligible to apply?

Foreigners with ten (10) years or more of legal residence in Panama may apply for an Permanent Work Permit.

The ten-year period is counted from the date of the resolution issued by the National Immigration Service granting the Provisional Residence Permit.

In addition to the general requirements, the applicant must submit:

• An Immigration Movement Certificate.
• Any of the following documents:
  • Employment letter and Social Security Fund (CSS) registration record.
  • Income Tax Return.
  • Business License (Notice of Operation) in a personal capacity.

When a foreigner enters the country as a “minor,” the ten-year period is counted from the date of entry into the national territory, which must be established by the Certificate of Migration Status, including the general requirements.

This permit is classified as equivalent to local labor, meaning that hiring such individuals does not count toward the foreign worker quotas established by the Labor Code. Therefore, for employment and payroll purposes, the holder of an Indefinite Work Permit is treated similarly to a Panamanian worker.

Main Benefits

The following are the main benefits:

• It does not count toward the company’s foreign worker quota.
• It expands employment opportunities.
• It provides greater freedom in the workplace, as it is not tied to a specific employer.

Limitations

It is important to point out that even if considered local labor, the foreigner may not practice professions reserved by law exclusively for Panamanian nationals, nor those that require professional qualifications that they cannot legally obtain.