Foreigners with nationalities that require an entry visa may enter Panama with visas from Korea, Japan or Singapore

Executive Decree No. 521 of August 6th, 2018 

As of August 8th, 2018, foreigners of nationalities that require a visa to enter the Republic of Panama may enter with a Schengen Visa or current Residency from Korea, Japan or Singapore. 

Comments: 

  • By means of Executive Decree No. 521 of April 6th, 2018, any foreigner who requires a visa to enter the national territory, holding a Visa or valid residency in Korea, Japan or Singapore, may enter Panama, as a tourist, without an entry visa.
  • The Visa must: (i) be granted for multiple entries and exits; (ii) be used at least once to enter the territory of the granting State; and (iii) have a validity of at least six (6) months.
  • This Executive Decree became effective as of August 8th, 2018.

Aspects to be considered: 

  • This Decree includes Korea, Japan and Singapore within the list of exceptions. Previously, the list only included the United States of America, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom, and those holding a Schengen Visa from the European Union.

With this Executive Decree it is provided that the validity of the visa or residency of the above mentioned countries, must be of at least six (6) months, reducing the time established in the previous decree of at least one (1) year of validity.

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Foreigners with nationalities that require an entry visa may enter Panama with a Schengen Visa

By means of the Executive Decree No. 114, as of April 4th, 2018, foreigners of nationalities that require a visa to enter the Republic of Panama may enter with a Schengen Visa or current European Union Residence.

Comments:

  • By means of the Executive Decree No. 114 of April 4th, 2018, any foreigner who requires a visa to enter the national territory, holding a Schengen Visa or valid residence in the European Union, may enter Panama, as a tourist, without an entry visa.
  • The Schengen Visa must: (i) be granted for multiple entries and exits; (ii) be used at least once to enter the territory of the granting State; and (iii) have a validity of at least one (1) year.
  • The Executive Decree became effective as of April 4th, 2018.

 

Aspects to be considered: 

  • This Decree complements the list of exceptions for foreigners that require an authorized or stamped visa, who by holding a Schengen Visa or visas issued by the United States of America, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom, won’t need to apply for entry visas to the Republic of Panama.

By means of this Decree, the Schengen Visa is reincluded, after being eliminated by Executive Decree No. 591 of December 28, 2016, published in the Official Gazette as of January 2017.

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Travel permit for minors will be online

As of April 1st, the travel permits for minors must be done only digitally. 

Comments:

  1. The interested party must access the website of the National Immigration Authority (migracion.gob.pa), then go to the section “Online Immigration” – option “Requests” and thus access to “Minors Permits”.
  2. Attach the following documents in PDF:
    • Copy of Passport (Residents) or Panamanian cédula of the Minor (Panamanians); and,
    • Copy of Passport (Residents) or Panamanian cédula of both parents (Panamanians).
  3. Once the online application is completed, the interested party must carry the printed authorization letter to any of the Notaries nationwide, where they will verify the data and register a digital copy of this process in the electronic platform.
  4. It is also recommended to carry the original documents to the Airport, since the National Immigration Authority may request them for verification.
  5. In the event that the two (2) parents travel with the child, they will only require their passports, Panamanian cédula of the minor (Panamanians) or Birth Certificate (Residents).
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Resolution of the Ministry of Labor establishes the requirements for the affiliation of foreigners in the Department of Labor Immigration

Comments:

  • Pursuant to Executive Decree No. 76 of December 26, 2017 and Resolution No. DM-064-2018 of February 8, 2018, published on February 20th in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Labor will require the affiliation of foreigners in the Department of Labor Immigration.
  • This affiliation will consist of (i) a scan of the fingerprints through a biometrics system; (ii) passport registration; and, (iii) a photograph.
  • The following documents will be required:
    • Original passport.
    • Copy of Immigration Status.
    • Original Immigration ID card.
    • Power of Attorney and Work Permit Petition.
  • According to a Statement of the Ministry of Labor, this affiliation will begin to apply as of March 6th.

To whom does it apply? 

  • Applicants of a work permit – first time or renewal. These applicants must personally assist to the Labor Immigration Department of the Ministry of Labor to carry out the affiliation, prior to filing their petition.
  •  Applicants of a work permit that is in process. These applicants must carry out the affiliation at the time the photograph of the work permit ID card is taken, for which they will have to carry their original valid passport.

See publication of December 29th, 2017

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Foreigners who require a work permit must personally assist to the Ministry of Labor for their affiliation

By means of the Executive Decree No. 76 of December 26th, 2017, foreigners who require a work permit must personally assist to the Ministry of Labor for their affiliation. 

Comments: 

  1. This Executive Decree provides that, prior to filing the work permit petition, applicants must personally assist to the Ministry of Labor for their affiliation.
  1. A biometrics system will be created and the affiliation will consist of a scan of the fingerprints, passport and a photograph.

This Decree entered into force on December 27, 2017, after its publication in the official gazette No. 28433-A. Nevertheless, the authorities are carrying out the necessary adjustments for the implementation of the system.

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