VISA TO PANAMA / PANAMA VISA GUIDE

Panama Info — Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:32 am

Author: Panama Info

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:32 am

VISA TO PANAMA

Visa requirements

Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days (at the discretion of the Immigration authorities):

Nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and the UK (except for UK passports issued in Hong Kong (SAR) to those who were born in Hong Kong).

Note: Nationals of Czech Republic, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Peru and Philippines may only enter Panama if they have a visa.

Tourist cards: A Tourist Card will be issued in lieu of a visa to the following for stays of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at the discretion of the Immigration authorities):

Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé & Principe, Surinam, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela and Vatican City.

Documents required

Passport: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. A Tourist Card can be issued either by the travel agent or on the flight or at the airport.

Application requirements:
(a) Passport valid for at least 6 months.
(b) Two completed application forms.
(c) Two passport-size photos.
(d) Booking reservation.

For countries requiring special authorisation:
(a) and,
(b) Two completed application forms.
(c) Two passport-size photos.
(d) Copies of passport.
(e) Copy of return or onward ticket.
(f) Letter from the person in Panama taking responsibility for applicant.
(g) Proof of financial stability in cash, traveller’s cheques or bank statements.
(h) fee plus postage if necessary.

Time required to issue visa: Normally 24 hours if no authorisation is needed; 20 days if authorisation (which depends on nationality) is needed.

Cost of a Visa

Tourist: £20. Tourist Card: Prices vary, depending on nationality and also on where the Tourist Card is obtained from (eg, prior to departure, on the flight or on arrival at the airport). Some nationals can obtain the Tourist Card free of charge (including nationals of Colombia, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and USA). Enquire at the Consulate for details.

Validity of Visa

Visas and Tourist Cards are valid within a 3-month period from the date of issue and allow stays for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at discretion of Immigration authorities).

Note:
(a) No brief account of the complex Panamanian visa regulations is likely to be fully successful as passport and visa regulations are liable to change at short notice.

(b) Panamanian immigration procedures are rigidly enforced and non-compliance with the regulations may result in transportation at carrier’s expense to country of origin.

(c) Many nationals requiring visas also require authorisation from the Immigration authorities in Panama before entry; contact the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy) if in doubt.

WORK PERMIT IN PANAMA / PANAMA WORK VISA

Panama Info — Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:15 am

Author: Panama Info

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:15 am

WORK PERMITS IN PANAMA

Foreigners who wish to work in the Republic of Panama must obtain a Work Permit. The Work Permit is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and must be renewed every year.

The documents required for a Work Permit application are the following:

1. Power of attorney for the Work Permit application.

2. Letter of responsability issued by the employer in Panama.

3. Original and two (2) copies of full-time Employment Contract.

4. Certificate of School Records and Professional Experience, legalized either by a Panama Consul or by the Apostille.

5. Eight ( photos, passport size.

Work Permits are granted on the basis of percentages established by Article 17 of the Labour Code as above mentioned, and the percentages of wages and remunerations combined may not exceed those established by the Labour Code.

The percentages indicated above shall be applied in the following manner:

1) Within 10%, foreign personnel carrying out any functions.

2) Within 15%, foreign personnel qualified as experts or technicians. Work Permits granted to technicians or experts are issued for a maximum period of 5 years, at the end of which the foreign worker must be replaced by a Panamanian.

No foreigner shall be allowed to work in Panama prior to obtaining a Work Permit.

Note: All documents issued abroad must be legalized either by a Panamanian Consul or by the Apostille in the place of issuance.

Expatriate Forums in Panama

VISA TO PANAMA / PANAMA VISA GUIDE

WORK PERMIT IN PANAMA / PANAMA WORK VISA