In compliance with the provisions established in the Labor Code of the Republic of Panama, all migrant workers are required to obtain authorization to work in the country, granted by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (MITRADEL).
Through Executive Decree No. 6 of April 13, 2023, MITRADEL regulated these legal provisions through the Regulation of Labor Migration in Panama, establishing work permit classifications according to the profiles of migrant populations.
Registration of Particulars: This process is essential for processing the permit, as it represents the first contact between the migrant and the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development. The objective is to obtain confidential information to understand the person receiving the work authorization and their contribution to the local labor market.
Work Permit Classifications: To facilitate the administrative application of work permits, the following classifications were created:
Classification 1: Considered Local Workforce
- Work Permit Type 1A: For migrant workers with ten (10) or more years of residency in Panama (Indefinite).
- Work Permit Type 1B-1: For migrant workers with a Panamanian spouse.
- Work Permit Type 1B-2: For migrant workers with children from a Panamanian spouse with legal custody in case of divorce.
- Work Permit Type 1B-3: For widowed migrant workers with a Panamanian spouse and legal custody of a child.
- Work Permit Type 1C: For migrant workers with special permanent residency granted by the President of the Republic.
- Work Permit Type 1D: For migrant workers who are the parent of a Panamanian citizen.
- Work Permit Type 1E: Based on the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Panama and Italy.
- Work Permit Type 1F: For dependents of diplomatic, consular, administrative, or international organization personnel accredited in Panama.
Classification 2: Percentages Authorized by the Labor Code
- Work Permit Type 2A: For migrant workers hired as ordinary personnel, within 10% of the total workforce.
- Work Permit Type 2B: For migrant specialists, within 15% of the total workforce.
- Work Permit Type 2C: For migrant workers employed in a position of trust.
- Work Permit Type 2D: For migrant workers employed in micro or small businesses (MIPE).
- Work Permit Type 2E: For personnel hired by employers whose transactions take place or have effects abroad.
Classification 3: Special Laws
- Work Permit Type 3A: For executives hired in the Colon Free Zone.
- Work Permit Type 3B: For employees under the regime of the City of Knowledge Foundation (researchers, professors, technicians).
- Work Permit Type 3C: For employees hired in the Panama Pacifico Area.
- Work Permit Type 3D: For employees in Free Trade Zones or other special economic regimes.
- Work Permit Type 3E: For employees with a Temporary Staff Visa from a Multinational Company for Manufacturing Services (EMMA).
- Work Permit Type 3F: For pilots or specialized personnel in commercial aviation.
Classification 4: Special Economic and Investment Policies
- Work Permit Type 4A: For migrants from countries with friendly and investment relations with Panama.
- Work Permit Type 4B: For permanent resident migrants as qualified investors.
- Work Permit Type 4C: For migrants under the self-sufficiency economic solvency category.
- Work Permit Type 4D: For migrants under existing special economic and investment policies.
Classification 5: Humanitarian Protection
- Work Permit Type 5A: For migrant refugees.
- Work Permit Type 5B: For political asylees.
- Work Permit Type 5C: For stateless individuals recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Work Permit Type 5D: For victims of human trafficking recognized by the National Commission against Human Trafficking.
- Work Permit Type 5E: For migrants under humanitarian protection by the State.
Classification 6: Special Conditions
- Work Permit Type 6A: For migrants working as self-employed or as employees.
- Work Permit Type 6B: For migrant students.
Temporary Protection Permit: A humanitarian project for irregular migrants in Panama. It aims to identify these individuals so they can regularize their status and contribute to the labor market formally, in compliance with the law.
If you would like to speak to an employment lawyer and to apply for a work permit in Panama, please call us at +507 6290-3468 or email us at info@lawyerinpanama.com.