Panama: Online Platforms for Registration and Work Permit Applications Now in Effect
May 18, 2023
The Ministry of Labor in Panama has launched a new online system through its website, on which foreign nationals seeking to apply for a work permit must register, without a personal appearance at the Ministry. The in-person registration process is no longer available. Foreign nationals registering online must take a photograph with the system’s webcam and designate the work permit category they will be applying for, along with other personal information. Immediately upon submitting the online registration, the Ministry will issue a registration confirmation in PDF form that foreign nationals will need to include with their work permit application. As a reminder, all foreign nationals must register with the Ministry of Labor before they can apply for their initial work permit (in any category). It is also expected that foreign nationals who already registered with the Ministry in person will be required to re-register online upon renewal of their work permits. The Ministry has also launched an electronic platform for work permit applications. Currently, only category 5 work permit applicants (humanitarian/refugee work permits) can use the system, but it is expected that the Ministry will roll out additional application types in phases later this year. Fragomen will report on relevant developments.
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
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post
Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.
Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post
Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.
Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.