Tag: Migration

  • Tax Residency in Panama: Benefits and Opportunities

    Tax Residency in Panama: Benefits and Opportunities

    Tax Residency in Panama: Benefits and Opportunities

    Tax residency refers to the status that an individual acquires in a country, by which said country has the right to consider said individual as a taxpayer and, consequently, apply its tax regime.

    Panama considers as tax residents those individuals who remain in the country for more than 183 days within a fiscal year or the previous one, or those who establish their permanent residence in the territory.  This also includes those juridical entities incorporated in Panama or abroad that have their management and administration in the country, provided they are recorded in the Public Registry.

    Benefits of Tax Residency in Panama:

    1. Exemption from Taxes on Foreign Income: Panama applies the principle of territorial taxation, exempting income earned outside the country from income tax payments.
    2. Legal and Fiscal Stability: Panama maintains a predictable regulatory framework and international agreements that ensure tax security and protection against double taxation.
    3. Access to Double Taxation Agreements: The agreements signed by Panama with multiple countries prevent double taxation on the income of Panamanian tax residents.
    4. Benefits for Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Panama offers a modern infrastructure, a solid  banking system, and tax advantages for business with income from foreign sources.

    It is advisable to seek specialized legal advice to ensure compliance with the requirements necessary to obtain tax residency, and in this manner obtain full benefit from the advantages offered by Panama’s tax system.

  • Work Permit established by special immigration conditions

    Work Permit established by special immigration conditions

    Work Permit established by special immigration conditions

    Pursuant to Executive Decree No. 6 of 2023, relevant changes are introduced in the regulation of labor immigration, including the creation of the category of Work Permit established by special immigration conditions.

    Foreigners who have one of the following immigration categories can apply for said work permit:

    1. National migrant worker from specific countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with the Republic of Panama;
    2. Migrant worker with a Residence Permit authorized by the General      Immigration Regularization program;
    3. Professional migrant worker;
    4. Migrant worker for family reunification for resident dependents.
    5. Students.

    Applicants must comply with the conditions of self-employed or employed, to wit:

    • Self-Employed: when the applicant is found to be properly developing a permitted income-generating activity or is self-employed directly in a condition of economic dependence or legal subordination and not developing activities that are by law for Panamanians.

    For this procedure, a Notice of Operation must be provided in the name of the applicant and the Single Taxpayer Registry and for the extension, an Income Tax Declaration must be submitted.

    • Employed: when the applicant maintains an employment relationship based to an employment contract under the conditions of legal subordination and economic dependence. In this case, the Ministry of Labor will apply the percentage rules established by law for the hiring of foreigners, i.e., 10% or 15% of the Panamanian workforce of the company that does the hiring.

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  • Migratory Regulations: Venezuela

    Migratory Regulations: Venezuela

    New migratory regulations for non resident Venezuelans

     

    NON-RESIDENT VENEZUELANS WHO ENTER PANAMA MUST APPLY FOR A STAMPED VISA AT THE PANAMANIAN CONSULATE

     

    By means of Executive Decree No.77, the Decree that created the Office of Humanitarian Affairs for Venezuelan residents, to attend to requests for family reunification for humanitarian and family union reasons, is repealed.

     

    Once the family reunification visa has been eliminated, all foreign NON-RESIDENT Venezuelan nationals who want to enter the Republic of Panama must apply for a Stamped Visa at the Consular Office of Panama in the country in which they are located or through an attorney within the territory of Panama.

     

    An exception applies to those foreign Venezuelan nationals who have a multiple visa and previously used in the granting State and its validity is not less than 6 months at the time of entering the territory of Panama or, valid residence, duly issued from the following countries: Canada, United States of America, Commonwealth of Australia, Rep. of Korea, State of Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Rep. of Singapore and any of the States that. make up the European Union.

     

    By: Chantall Santos