Panama: Passport Requirements for Work Permit Applications Temporarily Relaxed

Update April 2, 2025: The National Immigration Service has expanded this rule to now recognize expired Venezuelan passports as valid identity documents for all immigration procedures at this agency in Panama. Passports that expired in 2018 or later will remain valid for use until diplomatic and consular relations between Panama and Venezuela are officially restored. The Ministry of Labor has not yet issued a new resolution regarding the use of expired Venezuelan passports for work permit applications or related processes at the Ministry after April 3, 2025. We will report on relevant developments.

September 26, 2022: The Ministry of Labor is now allowing foreign nationals with expired passports to carry out any work permit application or any process with the Ministry of Labor, provided the foreign national has already applied for a new passport or an extension. Foreign nationals can submit a copy of their passport along with a passport renewal-in-process certification issued by the corresponding consular post. Previously, a foreign national’s passport had to be valid to apply for an initial or renewal work permit or carry out any process with the Ministry of Labor (except Venezuelan nationals who were granted this concession in 2019). The temporary measure is effective until June 30, 2024, in response to general processing delays individuals continue to face in obtaining and renewing passports at consular posts.