Digital nomad visa in Panama
An official short-stay visa for remote employees and freelancers with income from foreign sources — at least $36,000 a year (the equivalent of $3,000/month). It gives the right to live in Panama legally and work remotely for a transnational company or foreign clients for up to 18 months (9+9 with no further renewals), without the right to provide services to local clients.
The visa was created by Executive Decree No. 198 of 7 May 2021 (Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 29290-A) as a separate immigration category, the «short-stay visa for a remote worker» (Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto), within the No Residente category — that is, it is not a general income-based residence permit but a programme set out in law specifically for remote workers and freelancers with income from abroad.
The visa is issued for 9 months and renewed only once for the same period (up to 18 months in total). The official text of the decree (art. 1) does not provide for repeat renewals — when the period expires the holder has to change immigration category (for example, consider Pensionado/Rentista if the conditions fit) or leave the country.
What the service includes
| Checking that you meet the criteria and calculating the income | |
| Preparing the document package and the notarised power of attorney | |
| Filing the application with the SNM (the Trámites Especiales desk) | |
| Support through to receiving the visa and the carné | |
| Apostille/legalisation of the criminal record certificate in your country of residence— billed separately | |
| The medical insurance policy (arranged separately)— billed separately | |
| Flights and initial accommodation in Panama— billed separately | |
| Renewal of the visa after the first 9 months (a separate service)— billed separately |
What we need from you
- 1Annual income from foreign sources of at least $36,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) — art. 1 of Decreto Ejecutivo No. 198
- 2For employees — a contract with a foreign transnational company and a certificate of income of no less than $3,000/month paid from abroad
- 3For freelancers/the self-employed — proof of their own company registered abroad and a notarised declaration about the relationship with clients (services, amounts, frequency of payments)
- 4A valid medical insurance policy with cover in Panama for the whole period of stay
- 5A criminal record certificate no more than 6 months old, apostilled or legalised by a consulate
- 6A medical certificate (Certificado de Salud) and a declaration of personal details
- 7A bank certificate/statement confirming that the income comes specifically from abroad
- 8A notarised power of attorney for a Panamanian lawyer — the application is filed only through a legal representative
- 9National Immigration Service fees: $250 for consideration + $50 for the identity document (the carné)
Frequently asked questions
Does Panama's digital nomad visa give a residence permit or citizenship?
Do you have to pay Panamanian tax on income from foreign clients on this visa?
Can Panama's digital nomad visa be arranged remotely, without travelling to the country?
The visa exempts me from Panamanian tax — does that mean I automatically become a tax non-resident in other countries?
How long does it take to process an application for Panama's digital nomad visa?
Sources
- Servicio Nacional de Migración — the official requirements for the Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (PDF)
- Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 29290-A (20.05.2021) — the full text of Decreto Ejecutivo No. 198 of 07.05.2021
- PROPANAMA (the state investment promotion agency) — the official Visa para Nómadas Digitales page
- Servicio Nacional de Migración — the register of decrees and resolutions for 2021
Residence permit: other options
Compare terms in other countries and delivery formats.
Ready to start?
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Digital nomad visa in Panama” in Panama. No markup on top.