Panama
Work Permits
Work where the sun shines. We provide elite legal guidance for obtaining your panama work permit, ensuring a seamless transition for professionals and digital nomads.
The 10% Rule
& Quotas
Panama is protective of its labor market. Most Panamanian companies are limited to a workforce that is **90% Panamanian**. This is known as the "10% Rule." For specialized technical staff or management roles, this quota can be expanded to **15%**.
For the panama work permit 2026 seeker, this means you can't just apply for a barista job. You must be high-value. You must be the "Specialist" that the company cannot find locally. This is why we specialize in the **Professional Residency** path, which facilitates the MITRADEL filing.
Market Insight
"Multinationals (SEM) are exempt from these quotas. If you get a job with a company like Dell, Sony, or Heineken in Panama City, the work permit process is significantly faster and has no percentage caps."
Choose Your Labor Trajectory
The Nomad Visa
Officially the "Short-Stay Visa for Remote Workers." It's the most flexible way to live legally in Panama while working for your foreign clients or employer. No local payroll required.
Income Minimum
$3,000/month individual ($4,000 for families). Verified by 3 months of bank statements.
100% Remote
You must prove your work is 100% remote and your clients are outside of Panama.
The Local Professional
This is for the "Panama Real Estate Sale" hired by local Panamanian firms. It is a path to **Permanent Residency**. You will be on a local contract and pay into the Panamanian Social Security (CSS).
Degree Validation
Your University degree must be apostilled and translated by a certified Panamanian professional.
Labor Contract
The contract must follow MITRADEL standards and include specific 'extraordinary' clauses.
Access
Denied?
Over 50 professions are strictly reserved for Panamanian citizens. If you are one of the following, you **cannot** obtain a panama work permit for these specific roles:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Law
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Dentistry
- Psychology
- Accounting
- Journalism
**Panama Real Estate Sale Solution:** We help you refactor your job title to "Operations Manager" or "Project Consultant" while maintaining legal compliance with MITRADEL.
The Permit Checklist
Legal Representation
All labor permits must be processed by a licensed Panamanian lawyer.
Passport Documentation
A notarized copy of all passport pages (often requiring a local notary).
Power of Attorney
Granting your legal team the right to represent you at the Ministry of Labor.
Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL)
The final step where your professional path is verified and approved.
Get Your
Work Blueprint
Don't navigate MITRADEL alone. Our panama relocation services include direct access to specialists who handle the panama work permit process for multinational employees and entrepreneurs.
Combining Residency with Work?
Explore Friendly Nations Residency