At a Glance
Effective December 27, 2017, foreign nationals in Panama (except Multinational Companies Visa - SEM visa holders) need to apply at the Ministry of Labor to submit biometrics and register their passport prior to obtaining or renewing a work permit. This process will apply once the registration system is open, which is expected to be on or after January 15, 2018. This extra step can take up to one day to complete.
The situation
The Panamanian Ministry of Labor issued a decree which requires foreign nationals in Panama (except Multinational Companies Visa - SEM visa holders) to complete an extra processing step to obtain or renew a work permit on or after December 27, 2017.
Since the registration system will not be open until January 15, 2018, the change does not go into effect until then.
- Appearance details. Foreign nationals will need to appear at the Ministry of Labor prior to filing a work permit application to register their passport, provide fingerprints, and take a photograph. The foreign national cannot assign a third party to appear on their behalf, but a Fragomen representative can accompany the foreign national.
- Impact. This appearance is an additional step in the visa application process and can take up to one day to complete.
- Exception. This does not apply to SEM visa holders, since that visa includes a work authorization and does not require Ministry of Labor approval to work.
- Consequences of noncompliance. Those who do not complete this step will not be able to obtain or renew their work permit.
- Current work permit holders. The decree does not provide a deadline by which foreign nationals must appear at the Ministry of Labor before they renew their work permit. However, Fragomen recommends this is done as soon as the registration system is functioning.
Looking ahead
Fragomen will provide additional details on the implementation of the biometric registration system once they become available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.
Blog post
This blog outlines key immigration and mobility impacts stemming from the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Senior Managerin Katharina Vorländer und Managerin Dr. Adela Schmidt sprechen über die Bedeutung der Einstellung ausländischer Fachkräfte in Deutschland und die langfristige Sicherheit ihres Aufenthaltsstatus.
Blog post
This blog discusses the impacts of the UK's new salary thresholds for Skilled Workers on the country's technology sector.
Podcast
El director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García analizan la nacionalidad y naturalización mexicana.
Blog post
Practice Leader of Sub-Saharan Africa Lunga Mani discusses South Africa's Trusted Employer Scheme and how complying member companies can benefit from a streamlined immigration process.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.
Blog post
This blog outlines key immigration and mobility impacts stemming from the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Senior Managerin Katharina Vorländer und Managerin Dr. Adela Schmidt sprechen über die Bedeutung der Einstellung ausländischer Fachkräfte in Deutschland und die langfristige Sicherheit ihres Aufenthaltsstatus.
Blog post
This blog discusses the impacts of the UK's new salary thresholds for Skilled Workers on the country's technology sector.
Podcast
El director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García analizan la nacionalidad y naturalización mexicana.
Blog post
Practice Leader of Sub-Saharan Africa Lunga Mani discusses South Africa's Trusted Employer Scheme and how complying member companies can benefit from a streamlined immigration process.