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Panama offers a visa program for foreigners who have a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in any profession that is not a protected profession for Panamanians only.
You do not need to show that you have a lifetime income from a pension, like the Pensionado Visa. (You can hold off on collecting Social Security or your retirement pension.)
You do not need to buy $200,000 in real estate or invest in a 3-year CD, like the Friendly Nations Visa.
Simply having a university degree, which is not a protected profession in Panama, can open the door to a permanent residency visa in Panama.
What’s The Catch?
THE CATCH is that your degree must not be in a protected profession for Panamanians only (see the list below). The other CATCH is that your degree can take 6-12 months to be approved. You cannot apply for a visa until your degree is approved.
You could relax on the beach much sooner than you thought if you qualify for the Professional Residency Visa.
Does Your Degree Qualify?
To find out if your degree is acceptable, you must contact a Panama immigration lawyer. Panama Relocation Tours cannot tell you if your degree will be accepted.
What is required to apply for a Professional Visa?
You must use a Panama immigration lawyer to get this visa. Initially, you must submit:
*Two copies of the diploma duly authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or apostille.
*Two copies of the record of grades corresponding to the subjects
studied, authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or apostille.
*Two copies of your Passport
*Certificate check of $500.00 to Universidad de Panamá
*Study Plan or Program of the Subjects of the college career university you graduated from, authenticated by the Panamanian consulate or apostille.
*Two ID photos
Once the homologation process is approved, you can apply for a residency visa. You will also need a national criminal report when you apply for the visa.
There are no age restrictions for the Professional Residency Visa
You can get a work permit with the Professional Residency Visa.
There is no requirement to get a job or work in your profession in Panama.
Your spouse and minor children can qualify as your dependent with this visa. (there will be an additional fee for their visa)
You will initially be issued a two-year temporary visa. After two years, your attorney can help you apply for a permanent visa.
Once you get your permanent visa, you can still take advantage of the Pensionado (Jubilado) discounts if you meet the age requirements of 55 for women and 60 for men.
In addition to the attorney fees, a fee of $1250 must be paid to immigration for this visa.
This is an overview of some of the protected professions. If your degree is in one of these professions, you will not qualify:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Sciences
- Barbering and Cosmetology
- Chemical Laboratory Technicians
- Chemistry
- Chiropractors
- Computer Science
- Dental assistant
- Economy
- Engineer
- Engineering and Architecture
- Journalism
- Law
- Medical Assistant
- Medical radiology
- Medicine/Doctor
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Odontology (Dentists)
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Professor
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Speech Therapy, therapists and similar
- Veterinary
CLICK HERE to see a more detailed list of Protected Professions.
If you are unsure if your degree falls in the category of a Panama-protected profession, you will need to contact a Panama immigration lawyer to find out.
The Online Panama Relocation Guide lists affordable and reliable immigration lawyers who can help you get a Professional Residency Visa. It also has recommendations for honest real estate agents, insurance agents, and all the other information you need for a hassle-free move to Panama!
Wow! After looking at the extended list seems like only Basket Weaving and Management (my degree) apply…
My degree is also in Management…looks like we can both get a professional visa
Do I qualify for Professional Residency Visa with my Master Degree in Mathematics (MMath) ?
No programming, no computer science, no engineering, no any license – just simple matematics.
Alex, it appears that you would qualify. The best way to know for sure it to contact one of the immigration lawyers we recommend in the Online Guide
https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
Is an MBA considered “economy”?
I would like to know if having an MBA would qualify for this visa?
It’s not economics or accounting…
I have an bachelor’s of Commerce and my Master’s of Business Administration
If they do this would be an amazing opportunity!
What about my liberal arts, English Literature degree (BA, University of Denver)? I work as an insurance adjuster and have numerous insurance designations such as the CPCU (chartered property casualty underwriter). Thanks
Hi Wesley,
Did you ever get an answer about a Liberal Arts degree?
You need to contact an immigration lawyer to ask if your degree is acceptable.
I am 58 and not planning to begin SS payments for many years out yet. Do I need to get a job (in an unprotected field) to justify my ability to support myself with this visa option?
Hello Grace, there is NO requirement to work in your profession in Panama or to work at all in Panama when you get the Professional Residency Visa.
Hello Jackie
I just read through the extended list of professional degrees that are protected. I didn’t see my degree listed and would like to know if I could be considered. How do I contact an immigration lawyer in Panama?
Thank you in advance.
Scott
Hello Scott. Congratulations! That’s good news! You can contact one of the immigration lawyers listed in the Online Guide. https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
I read through the entire list of “detailed protected professions”. It appears pretty inclusive of all USA degrees. Maybe: theology or philosophy or languages(french, english, spainish, russion, ukranian, itaian e.g.) other than that appears most degrees are covered.
Well I guess that Police Science, and or Criminology will fit but at age 77, I am not working in this field.
hi Robert, you do not currently need to be working in this field. You only need to have the degree.
Looks like Master Degree in Mathematics qualify.
Alex. It seems so. to verify, talk to one of the immigration lawyers we recommend in the Online Guide. https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
It looks like they need teachers, just like every other nation right now. I wonder how it is to teach there? Do they have consequences for bad behavior there or not?
Jeryl. International schools are always looking for good teachers. See a list of schools at https://panamarelocationtours.com/international-schools-in-panama
To see if your degree would qualify for a Professiona Residency Visa (and a work permit), contact one of the immigration lawyers we recommend in the Online Guide
https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
That’s interesting. My wife and I have post graduate degrees in protected professions but our undergaduate degrees are not. I suspect all we would have to do is go through the process with our bachelor’s degee to qualify.
It’s great that you qualify! To verify or get started with the process, contact the immigration lawyers we recommend in the Online Guide
https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
Peace and Wellness. Thank you for the update. Promising news. I have a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.
Question, Does my Bachelorette in Criminal Justice override my Minor in Psychology? Thank you for any information you can provide.
Hello T. Warrior. You could apply with the Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
With this kind of Visa, how is it possible to work ? I do work remotly for clients in Europe as a translator. I’ll have to open a company ? What about taxes with clients outside of Panama ?
Laurence. With the Professional Visa, you can get a work permit to work in Panama. For remote work, you do not need a work permit. Panama has a territorial taxing system. You are only taxed if you sell products or services “IN” Panama. So, the money you earn from your remote clients will not be taxed in Panama. You do not have to open a company in Panama.
Thank you very much for your reply. Do you know what the attorney could charge for this visa all included ?
Hello Laurence
Every attorney has different fees. You can expect to pay about $2000 in lawyer fees plus an extra $2500 in government fees.
I have a BA in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and an Associates in Applied Science for Registered Nursing. Could I teach either subjects and gain one of the professional visas?
My husband has over 35 years in heavy duty truck parts purchasing as an agent. No college degree. Any prospects for this field?
HI Mary, You’d need to talk to an immigration attorney to verify. But I believe your BA in hotel management would qualify. Foreigners cannot do anything to do with nursing since it’s a protected profession.
For you to be able to teach in Panama, you’d need to be fluent in Spanish.
it’s not easy for a foreigner to get a job in Panama in any field. See this article –https://panamarelocationtours.com/getting-a-job-in-panama
Hi Jackie,
My husband has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice but I have a degree in a protected profession. Can I get a visa as a dependent on his visa? Thank you.
Hello Robin, Yes, you can ge4t a visa as his dependent. That’s great news!
Hi Jackie,
I just found out about this visa, yay! I have a BA in Theatre and a MS in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and am currently working on a BA in Graphic Design. I carefully scanned the list and it looks like both of my degrees (and the future Graphic Design degree) are in the safe zone and would qualify me right?
Also, how many months of those 2 years for this visa would I need to remain in Panama? I want to start working on my exit strategy and prepare for launch! Thank you so much!
Hello Vanessa. Thanks for your interest in the Professional Visa. There is no requirement to live in Panama once you get a visa, even the temporary visa. You are only required to come back to Panama for at least one day every two years. Looks like your degree would qualify. We have a list of affordable immigration lawyers who can help you get this visa in our Online Panama Relocation Guide. https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
Thank you so much! Love everything you do and your endless generosity of information and time!
Vanessa, You’re very welcome. I love sharing information about moving to Panama!
I have a degree in marine transportation. It is not an engineering degree. I see on the list marine transportation engineering. Am I safe to pursue this visa?
Brandy, you would need to talk to a Panama immigration lawyer to see if that degree is acceptable.
Hi Jackie,
Would a dependent spouse be allowed to get a work permit?
Aaron, yes a dependent spouse can get a work permit (depending on which visa) however it’s very difficult to get a job in Panama and the pay is very low. https://panamarelocationtours.com/getting-a-job-in-panama
It would be better to get a remote work job.
Hi Jackie
My husband and I are booked on one of your upcoming October 2024 tours, we are excited to visit Panama for the 1st time. We are definitely considering a resident visa, Professional or Pensionado.
I am 59 1/2 and he’s 61, we don’t qualify for SSN benefits yet and weren’t planning to take early benefits from SSN but we could do a Immediate Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity to meet the income requirements for the Pensionado Visa.
Or we could explore the Professional Visa, my degrees are in Business Administration (MBA) and Computer Science (BS) my husband’s degree is in Human Resources.
Any pros or cons for either visa given our ages and circumstances?
Looking forward to the upcoming tour!
Marya
Hello Marya. Thanks for signing up for the October Panama Relocation Tour! If you buy an annuity through an insurance company that guarantees a $1250 lifetime income, you can get a permanent Pensionado visa in less than 6 months.
If you apply for a professional visa, it could take a year or more to get approved and you won’t get a permanent visa for two years after that. Three years total!
You cannot get any of the Pensionado discounts until you have a permanent visa.
Jackie thanks for the quick reply it was very helpful!
One more question regarding the pensionado visa.
Are you required to be retired (no longer working in the USA) in order to apply and qualify for the visa?
Technically you could be receiving SSN benefits or have a guaranteed lifetime income annuity with an insurance company and still be employed full time or part time.
I understand visiting Panama every 2 years is required to maintain the residency visa.
YMarya, you do not need to be retired to get the pensionado visa. You just cannot work in Panama.
Hi Jackie!
My sister and I are very interested in moving to Panama. I have a Masters Degree in Sustainable Tourism planning. I would love to continue to work as a Consultant in Sustainable Tourism, if that is possible, in Panama. Do you foresee such an opportunity? Also, would you happen to know who the new Minister of Tourism is? I have found info about Ivan Eskildsen who left the role in 2023.
I am fluent in Spanish( worked in Mexico for six years) .
Look forward to your thoughts Jackie!
Jan
Hello Jan. You would need to talk to a Panama immigration lawyer to see if your degree would qualify for the Professional Visa. I can tell you that to work in the tourism industry in Panama, you will need additional college studies in Panama and a license.
Hi Jackie
I have Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology because it’s dealing with organizations as compared to individual people which is a bit different than traditional Psychology degrees. I also have a Bachelors in Business Administration, I didn’t want to assume but would it be safe to say that it’s best to go with the Bachelors degree ? Thanks
HI Jill
You would not be able to get a Professional Visa using your Masters. You would need to talk to a Panama immigration lawyer to find out if your Bachelor’s Degree would be acceptable.
My situation applies. Where do i start applying for residency
You would need to work with a Panama immigration lawyer. You can find our list of recommended lawyers in our Complete Panama Relocation Guide.
Could a B.S. in public health be considered
AA..anything health related is a protected profession for Panamanians only. So your degree would not qualify
Good morning, I have my first degree in Education (B.Sc Ed., Political Science Education ) and my masters in Business Management.
I have eleven years of working experience and sule other certificates in different trainings.
Do I qualify please ?
Buhari, you would need to talk to a Panama immigration lawyer to see if one of your degrees qualifies
I know I will qualify with a BA in Psychology, but can I use my MS in Leadership?
TArnel. You will need to ask a Panama immigration lawyer is your degree will qualify
Would a Bachelors in English Education with an emphasis in Communication qualify?
And I haven’t completed my Masters of Science in Occupational Health and Safety
HI Debbie, you need to talk to any Panama immigration lawyer to find out if your degree is acceptable
Hi,
Do you know how likely it is to be granted a renewal of a professional visa after the first two years if you live but do not work in Panama? I believe my Philosophy degree would work for the original professional visa. I would be working online with US clients but would love to get a permanent residency and continue to stay after the first visa expires. Do you know how theoretically easy it is to be granted a renewal if I don’t work for a Panamanian company and am self employed?
HI Sara
If your degree qualifies, you will be able to get the permanent visa after two years You need to talk to a Panama immigration lawyer to find our if your degree will qualify.
You don’t mention the average cost through your recommended attorneys for this visa type. I read somewhere else that most attorneys don’t like doing this type of visa. Do you know why?
Tawanda. The cost for this visa depends on which attorney you use. Prices can range from $3000 t0 $10,000. Plus payments to the University in Panama plus government fees. It takes 6-12 months just to get your degree approved by the University of Panama before you can even apply. Once you apply and are approved, it will take an additional two years to get your permanent visa. In some cases, additional classes are required in Panama to get approval. Many people have a hard time gathering the documents necessary to be submitted for this visa.