Before the enactment of Executive Decree No. 6 of 2023, which regulates labor migration, foreigners residing in Panama did not have the possibility of opting for a work permit due to the so-called special policies, since it was understood that the purpose for which they had applied for residency was for economic or investment reasons, whether it is because you have made an investment in real estate, opened a fixed-term account in a local bank or made an investment in a brokerage house,

Work permits for special policies include the following:

1. Migrant worker from specific countries who maintain friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with the Republic of Panama, in case of investment.
2. Permanent resident migrant work as a qualified investor.
3. Migrant worker under the special migratory category of their own economic solvency.
4. Migrant worker by special categories in force of special economic and investment policies.

To opt for this type of worker permit, it is not necessary for the foreigner to have an offer or promise of work, since the only thing that must be accredited is their migratory status by presenting the certification of immigration status issued by the National Migration Service at the request of the interested party, along with a copy of their resident card and the information of the passport. While requesting the extension of the work permit, it must be agreed that an income tax affidavit has been filed with the respective no debt certification issued by the General Directorate of Revenue or proof of the payment of nine (9) installments of the Social Security Fund.

It is very important to note that temporary residents as foreigners from specific countries or due to their own economic solvency can apply for this work permit, as it is not necessary to have permanent resident status.

It is worth mentioning that the aforementioned Executive Decree No. 6 of 2023 is clear in stating that persons of foreign nationality in the national territory who carry out economic, business or investment activities, who are not under the legal subordination or economic dependence of an employer, are not required to have a work permit.  In other words, business owners are not required to have a work permit to work in their own business.

Finally, after ten (10) years from the date on which temporary residence was obtained while being of legal age, the permanent residence permit may be requested, provided that the foreigner has not been absent from the national territory for more than two (2) years.  In the event that the foreigner has entered Panamanian territory while being a minor, the ten (10) years are computed from the date on which he or she has entered the national territory and has not been absent from Panamanian territory for more than two (2) years.