By: Katiuska Hernández.
The new immigration permit is for people between 18 and 30 years old from countries with current bilateral agreements. The visa allows for temporary work, but requires an additional work permit and does not grant permanent residency. The Panamanian government has created a new visa that will allow young foreigners to stay temporarily in the country and carry out work activities while participating in a cultural exchange program. The measure is contained in Executive Decree No. 21 of October 13, 2026, published in Official Gazette No. 30634-B of October 14, 2026.
The new immigration category is called “Short Stay Visa as a Tourist Participant in the Working Holiday Program” and is aimed at citizens of countries that have current bilateral agreements with Panama for this purpose. The decree establishes a maximum stay of 12 non-renewable months for applicants between 18 and 30 years old, and allows temporary work, provided that the corresponding work permit is obtained.
Who Can Apply?
The new visa is aimed at foreigners who are between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application. However, the permit will not be automatically available to citizens of any nationality. Only individuals from countries with which Panama has current bilateral agreements related to Working Holidays will be eligible for this program. The decree does not identify which countries those are, nor does it establish a list of beneficiary nationalities.
What Are The Requirements?
Article 4 of the decree establishes eight documents that interested parties must submit to the Special Projects Office of the National Migration Service:
1. Personal application for a short-stay visa as a participant in the Working Holiday program.
2. Copy of passport duly verified by a Panamanian notary public.
3. Three passport-sized photographs.
4. A duly apostilled birth certificate, proving an age between 18 and 30 years.
5. Certification issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama that accredits the applicant’s participation in the Working Holiday program.
6. Medical insurance that covers the entire period of stay in Panama.
7. Proof of sufficient financial resources to guarantee maintenance during the stay.
8. Criminal record certificate from the country of origin, duly apostilled.
9. Where Do I Apply?
Those interested must submit their application and the corresponding documentation to the Special Projects Office of the National Migration Service of Panama.
In addition, they must obtain a certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming that they are part of the Working Holiday program.
How long does the visa last?
The visa will be granted for a maximum period of 12 months, which cannot be extended, according to Article 2 of the decree.
This means that beneficiaries will not be able to extend their stay through a visa extension. Once the program concludes, they will be required to leave Panamanian territory.
The decree also establishes that holders of this permit will not be able to change their immigration category or access a permanent residence permit while they are in the country.
Can You Work With This visa?
Yes. Article 5 authorizes beneficiaries to carry out work activities temporarily during their stay in Panama. However, the visa alone is not enough to start working. Article 6 states that a work permit must be issued by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel). This permit will allow the foreigner to carry out temporary work activities during the validity period of their visa.
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