Effective immediately, Panama has introduced significant changes to the ‘cancellation with extension’ option for Temporary Residence Visa holders under the Multinational Companies (SEM) program. This provision allows companies to extend a foreign national’s visa for six months beyond their employment termination to facilitate personal matters such as housing and school arrangements or to secure a new job and visa in Panama. Under the regular cancellation policy, foreign nationals can remain in Panama for only seven days once cancellation requirements are complete. Employers who choose to submit a cancellation-with-extension petition instead of a regular cancellation must now do so within five business days from the employee’s termination date, a reduction from the previous 20 business days. Additionally, foreign nationals must return their original Panamanian Identity Cards when filing the petition and will receive a new Identity Card valid for six months or for the remaining period of their original card, whichever is shorter. They can no longer retain their original Identity Cards after cancellation, a measure implemented to prevent misuse beyond the six-month extension period. The cost of the new Identity Card is USD 100 per person. Upon the expiration of the six-month extension, foreign nationals must either exit Panama or apply for a new visa within five calendar days to avoid overstay fines. These updates aim to enhance regulatory control over post-employment residency extensions for SEM Visa holders in Panama.
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
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.
Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.
Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.
Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.
Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.
Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.
Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.
Blog post
Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.
Blog post
Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.
Media mentions
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.
Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.
Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.
Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.
Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.
Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.
Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.
Blog post
Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.
Blog post
Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.