Foreign Personnel Visa by Private Company Marrakech Agreement

Temporary Residence Permit as Foreign Personnel Hired by Private Companies Under the Marrakesh Agreement

The Permit is an immigration option designed to allow temporary residence in the Republic of Panama to foreigners who have been hired by private companies with less than ten (10) workers.

As an expert immigration law firm, Legalia Panama makes available to you all the available options and the application process to obtain a permanent residence visa in Panama.

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What is the Temporary Residence Permit under the Marrakesh Agreement?

This permit allows private companies (legal entities) in Panama, employing less than ten workers, to hire specialized foreign personnel to reside and work temporarily in the country under the Marrakesh Agreement, adopted by the Republic of Panama through Law 23 of 1997. The visa is renewable annually, as long as the employment relationship is maintained and the requirements established by the National Migration Service are met.

Who can apply for this Temporary Residence Permit?

Panamanian private companies with fewer than ten employees that hire specialized foreign personnel can apply for this residence permit. This permit is aimed at technicians, professionals, and executives who bring specific skills and advanced knowledge in their respective fields, contributing to the growth and development of local businesses.

For the purposes of this permit, the foreign worker must prove a salary that may not be less than one thousand dollars (US$1,000.00) per month.

Notes and Requirements:

To apply for the Temporary Residence Permit as Foreign Personnel of a Private Company, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

1) Pre-Registration

All foreigners must be previously registered in the Migratory Movement Section of the National Migration Service in the Republic of Panama. LEGALIA PANAMA provides assistance for this registration.

2) Issuance of Temporary Card

When you submit the complete documentation to the National Migration Service, you are issued a processing card for six (6) months and when the application is approved, you are issued the provisional residence card valid for one (1) year

3) Apostilled and Authenticated Documents

All documents that are issued abroad must be duly apostilled or authenticated by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in the country that issued them

4) Documents in other languages

All documents issued abroad in a language other than Spanish must be translated by an Official Sworn Translator, recognized by the Ministry of Government and Justice in the Republic of Panama.

Do you need legal advice?

To learn more about our immigration or naturalization services in Panama, or to discuss your specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Application Process

The process of applying for a temporary residence visa for foreign personnel of a private company in Panama is rigorous and requires the careful preparation of the necessary documentation. At Legalia Panama we can help you with the entire process of obtaining your visa, saving you time and money.

It is essential, in order to grant the visa and the corresponding residence permit, that the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development issues in your favor a Work Permit Under the Marrakesh Agreement that authorizes you to work temporarily in the national territory.

Required Documentation

Power of attorney granted by the applicant in favor of LEGALIA PANAMA, who provides the text thereof. The main principal must be the Legal Representative of the company. In the event that the foreign applicant is in Panama, the power of attorney must be signed by both the Legal Representative of the contracting company and by the foreigner who wishes to immigrate.
Request brief that is drafted by LEGALIA PANAMA.
Certified or Cashier’s Check issued by a local bank for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars (US$250.00) in favor of the National Treasury, for each member of the family group.
Certified or Cashier’s Check issued by a local bank for the sum of eight hundred dollars (US$800.00) in favor of the National Immigration Service, as a repatriation deposit, applicable to any member who is 12 years of age or older.
Medical Certificate of Good Health, of the applicant and his dependents, issued within the three (3) months prior to the date of submission. This certificate must be conferred by a Panamanian doctor. LEGALIA PANAMA assists you in obtaining this certificate.
Police history of personal history, of each member over 18 years of age, from the country of origin or by the country of residence (only when the interested party has less than two (2) years of continuous residence in the Republic of Panama). See explanatory note No.4 below.
Original passport from the country of origin, of the applicant and their dependents, with a minimum validity of three (3) months. Important: Applicants must be present in the country at the time of submission of the residence permit application.
Complete photocopy of the passport, of the applicant and his dependents, authenticated before a Notary Public in Panama. LEGALIA PANAMA assists you in this procedure.
Five (5) up-to-date passport-size photographs of the applicant and his or her dependents (from the front and without hats or veils).
Affidavit on Personal History, duly signed by the applicant and by each adult dependent. LEGALIA PANAMA helps you complete the form provided by the National Migration Service.
Proof of kinship (marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of each of the children for whom the permit is requested, as the case may be). See explanatory note No.4 below.
Letter of Responsibility of the applicant in which he or she is responsible for the family member whom he or she will protect as his or her dependent and assumes the obligation to provide food, housing, health, education (if applicable) and other expenses in general, including the commitment to assume his or her repatriation if necessary. This letter must state the telephone numbers and address of the domicile where the person responsible can be reached. LEGALIA PANAMA assists you with the drafting of this letter.
The adult dependent (18 years old) and under twenty-five (25 years old) must provide:
- Certification of studies from institutions approved by the Ministry of Education that accredits their status as a regular university student.
- Provide proof of your marital status (Certificate of Singleness). See explanatory note No.4 below.
Resolution issued by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL) and copy of the respective card, authorizing the interested party to work in the national territory as an employee under the Marrakesh Agreement. If you do not have them on the date of submission of the residence application, you can submit a certification issued by MITRADEL indicating that said permit is in process or a simple copy of the power of attorney and application through a lawyer addressed to MITRADEL. In this case, the presentation of the respective work permit is pending once it is approved, so that the visa application can continue its processing.
In case the work permit is not approved, the residence permit will be denied.
Original employment contract endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL) in favor of the interested party.
Letter of Employment on company letterhead, stating the position and salary earned by the foreigner, signed by the legal representative.
Copy of the company’s Notice of Operation.
A simple copy of the company’s Certificate of Good Standing, issued by the Public Registry.
Peace and national security of the company’s income.
Proof of affiliation to the Social Security Fund, with a copy of the card (in the first application).

Steps to follow

Gather Documentation: Complete all forms and gather the necessary documents.
Apply: The application must be submitted by a lawyer at the National Directorate of Migration.
Review and Approval: The Migration Directorate will review the application and issue an approval if all requirements are met.
Obtaining the Permit: Once approved, the permanent residence permit and identity card are issued.

Legal Basis

Political Constitution of the Republic;

The Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama is the supreme document that establishes the fundamental principles and norms of the State, guaranteeing rights and freedoms, and organizing the functioning of the government and its institutions.

Decree-Law No. 23 of 1997;

This law approves the Marrakesh Agreement, which establishes the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Protocol of Accession of Panama to that agreement. In addition, it adapts Panamanian domestic legislation to the international regulations derived from the WTO. In the context of migration, this law lays the foundations for the creation of visas and permits that facilitate the mobility of foreign personnel in sectors linked to international trade.

Decree-Law No. 3 of 22 February 2008;

Decree-Law No. 3 of 22 February 2008 regulates Panama’s migration policy, establishing rules and procedures for the entry, stay and residence of foreigners in the country.

Executive Decree No.320 of August 8, 2008

Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008 establishes specific procedures and requirements for obtaining different categories of visas and residence permits in Panama, facilitating migration regulation.

Executive Decree No. 26 of March 2009

This decree modifies and adds provisions to Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008, which regulates Decree Law No. 3 of February 22, 2008. Specifically, it establishes procedures and requirements for obtaining visas and residence permits for foreign personnel, including those covered by special laws such as the Marrakesh Agreement. It details the categories of visas available and the procedures necessary to obtain them, ensuring a consistent application of immigration regulations.

Law 38 of 2000

This law regulates the general administrative procedure in Panama, establishing principles and rules that govern the actions of the public administration

Migration Requirements

Benefits of working with Legalia Panama

We specialize in immigration processes and offer personalized and professional advice to ensure a hassle-free experience.

We have a team of lawyers with extensive experience in immigration law and a thorough knowledge of Panamanian regulations.

Our commitment is to provide an efficient service tailored to the individual needs of each client, ensuring your peace of mind and success in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Panama.

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