Temporary residence visa for educational purposes

Foreigners who wish to pursue full-time regular studies at public or private educational institutions at basic, intermediate, higher, and specialized levels recognized by the Ministry of Education may apply for this visa.

Applicants for this residence visa must enroll in all subjects corresponding to the study plan for the bimester, semester, or module during daytime hours. Exceptions may be made for enrollments that, according to the study plan, should be in evening hours, subject to certification by the educational institution.

The validity of this visa will be for a period of one (1) year, renewable for a total of up to six (6) years.

Requirements for Applying for Temporary Residence Visa:

1. Powers of attorney and forms that we will provide for your signature.
2. Five (5) passport-sized photographs.
3. Complete copy of the passport with a minimum validity of three months.
4. Certificate of Criminal Records duly apostilled or authenticated by the Consulate of Panama in the country where it was issued if the applicant is of legal age.
5. Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
6. Payment of B/.250.00 payable to the National Treasury for the right to the immigration category (certified check).
7. Letter of admission from the educational institution.
8. Original or copy of the enrollment receipt or payment.
9. Certification from the educational institution containing the applicant's details, the duration of the course, the attending shift, and the subjects or courses enrolled as per the study plan.
10. Certification from the university in case the course is offered in the evening.
11. Proof of economic solvency, verified through one of the following requirements:
    1. Document proving that the student holds a scholarship.
    2. Certificate of financing.
    3. Bank letter in favor of the applicant or the responsible person, indicating solvency commensurate with the expenses for covering study and subsistence costs.
12. Letter of responsibility, in the case of a third-party sponsor.
13. Proof of the applicant's address.

Observation: If the applicant is a minor, the parents or the person with legal guardianship and custody must submit the application. In addition to the requirements established in this article, they must provide the birth certificate of the minor and a copy of the personal identification card duly authenticated by the National Identification Directorate of the Electoral Tribunal, or a notarized copy of the valid migration card of the responsible person in the Republic of Panama.

With the recent modification of labor migration regulations, individuals holding this type of residence visa are allowed to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, provided that it is proven that the work activities, whether self-employed or employed by others, are compatible with the pursuit of studies and do not interfere with the academic aspect.

To apply for this work permit with the Ministry of Labor, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete the online registration process.
2. Powers of attorney that we will provide for your signature.
3. Certificate issued by the National Migration Service indicating the applicant's immigration status.
4. Copy of the main page of the passport.
5. Copy of the approved residence card issued by the National Migration Service.
6. Authenticated copy of the resolution issued by the National Migration Service approving the residence visa.
7. Provide the necessary documents demonstrating the intended activity, whether self-employed or employed by others. These may include:
   1. For Self-Employed Workers:
      1. Notice of Operations from the applicant, or certification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry indicating that the applicant's activity does not require a notice of operation.
      2. Proof of registration in the Taxpayers Registry of the General Revenue Directorate.
   2. For Employed Workers:
      1. Employment contract registered at the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.
      2. Copy of the Public Registry certificate of the hiring company.
      3. Copy of the Operating notice of the hiring company.
      4. Copy of the Social Security affiliation certificate.
      5. Copy of the Social Security payroll and proof of payment of the last payroll.
      6. In the case of companies with more than twenty employees on the payroll, a certification issued by a Panamanian Certified Public Accountant certifying payroll data must be provided.
8. Study plan of the technical, undergraduate, postgraduate, master's, or doctoral program that the applicant is pursuing.
9. Certification of student status.
10. Official credits or their equivalent, authenticated by the General Secretariat of the educational institution, demonstrating that the applicant has satisfactorily completed one hundred percent of the curriculum.
11. Enrollment receipt.

For the renewal application, the applicant must provide the income tax sworn statement in their name.

This work permit will be granted for a term of one year, extendable for equal periods if the individual maintains their student status.