Panama Marrakech Permit for Foreign Employees
Legal assistance for foreign nationals hired by Panama companies under the Marrakech Agreement, including immigration review, labor documentation, work-permit coordination and corporate compliance.
This category may be relevant for foreign nationals who are not eligible under Friendly Nations or who do not yet have the capital required for an investment-based residence, provided that a genuine employment relationship exists with a compliant Panama employer.
Immigration, MITRADEL, labor contracts, company documentation and Social Security coordination from Panama.
What Is the Marrakech Agreement Permit in Panama?
The Marrakech Agreement immigration category applies to foreign personnel hired by companies in Panama under the framework recognized in Panama’s immigration and labor regulations, including Law 23 of 1997.
It is tied to:
- A genuine employment relationship
- A Panama employer
- A documented salary
- A valid labor contract
- Work-permit compliance
- Immigration documentation
- Corporate documentation
- Social Security compliance
- Government review and approval
Important clarifications:
- It is employment-based
- It is temporary
- It is employer-linked
- It is not automatic
- It is not permanent residence
- It is not available through a fictitious employer
- It is not a substitute for another immigration category
It may serve as a temporary lawful employment route for certain foreign nationals, subject to a real employer and a complete application.
Who May Consider the Marrakech Employment Route?
This category does not apply automatically to every foreign national. It may be relevant for profiles such as the following, provided a genuine and documented employment relationship exists:
Not eligible under Friendly Nations
Foreign nationals whose country is not on the Friendly Nations list and need an alternative lawful route.
Professionals with a genuine job offer
Individuals with a verifiable, documented offer of employment in Panama.
Employees hired by a real Panama company
Workers hired by an operating company with a compliant payroll and corporate record.
Lawful temporary residence through employment
Foreign nationals seeking a valid immigration category while they work.
Individuals building financial stability
Those who need time to organize their finances before evaluating other categories.
Clients planning a future real estate purchase
Using the temporary residence period to prepare for a later purchase. See Panama Company and Remote Commercial Bank Account.
Future Qualified Investor candidates
Those who may evaluate Qualified Investor as a possible next step, subject to independent review.
Companies hiring specialized foreign employees
Employers that need to structure the hire in compliance with the law.
Small and medium-sized employers
Businesses that require foreign personnel and need proper documentation.
Entrepreneurs operating a genuine Panama business
Foreign nationals avoiding tourist-only status
Individuals who want a formal category instead of remaining solely as a tourist.
Long-term relocation planners
Foreign nationals developing a broader, multi-step relocation strategy for Panama.
Nationality alone does not establish eligibility. The employer, payroll, company compliance, position and documents must be reviewed.
What This Permit Is Not
To avoid mistaken expectations, it is important to be clear about what this permit does not represent:
- Permanent residence
- A Friendly Nations visa
- A Qualified Investor visa
- A tourist extension
- An automatic right to work
- A way to avoid MITRADEL
- A way to avoid CSS
- A paper-employment solution
- A fake-payroll arrangement
- A guaranteed path to citizenship
- A guaranteed future residence
- A bank-account guarantee
- A tax-residence certificate
- A substitute for a genuine operating company
It may form part of a temporary immigration and employment strategy, but any later application for permanent residence, Qualified Investor, real estate or another immigration program must be reviewed separately under the law in effect at that time.
An Employment-Based Alternative for Certain Non-Friendly Nations Clients
Not every nationality qualifies under the Friendly Nations Visa program. Certain foreign nationals may instead need to evaluate an employment-based category supported by a real Panama employer.
A lawful employment permit may allow the applicant, subject to approval, to:
- Reside in Panama under the approved category
- Work for the sponsoring employer
- Establish a local immigration history
- Organize personal and corporate documentation
- Learn the Panama market
- Develop financial stability
- Save for a future property purchase
- Evaluate Qualified Investor later, if financially viable
- Consider other residence programs
- Avoid relying solely on tourist status
This is not a guaranteed bridge to permanent residence. Immigration laws, investment thresholds and eligibility requirements may change, and each future application must satisfy its own legal requirements at the time it is filed.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Under the current official Migración checklist, the applicant generally needs:
- A genuine employment relationship with a qualifying employer
- A salary meeting the current official minimum
- A valid passport
- Criminal-background documentation, where applicable
- Health certificate
- Sworn personal-background declaration
- Immigration documentation
- Work permit and labor card
- Labor contract endorsed by MITRADEL
- Employment letter
- Other documents requested by Immigration
The employer generally needs:
- Genuine business activity
- Notice of Operations
- Public Registry certificate
- Tax good standing
- CSS registration and compliance
- Valid corporate records
- Authorized legal representative
- Compliant payroll
- Supporting labor documentation
The current official Migración checklist refers to a minimum salary of B/.1,000.00 per month for this permit. This amount must be reconfirmed against the current official checklist before each filing, as requirements are subject to change.
For more context on immigration files generally, see Documents Required for Panama Residency.
Documents Commonly Required from the Foreign Applicant
Based on the official checklist, the applicant’s file generally includes:
- Notarized power of attorney and application
- Applicant’s complete name and personal information, including parents’ names and nationalities where required by the applicable form
- Three passport-style photographs
- Complete passport copy, properly authenticated or certified
- Criminal-background certificate for adult applicants, where applicable
- Health certificate issued under current requirements
- Sworn personal-background declaration
- Certified government-payment checks
- Work permit and labor card
- Labor contract processed or endorsed through MITRADEL
- Additional documents required by Immigration
Foreign documents may require apostille, consular authentication and official translation into Spanish. See Apostille U.S. Documents and Criminal Background Check.
Documents Commonly Required from the Employer
The employer generally must provide:
- Employment letter on company letterhead, signed by the legal representative
- The employee’s position, salary and employment terms
- Notice of Operations
- Current Public Registry certificate
- Tax good standing or national tax clearance
- CSS affiliation evidence
- Labor contract
- Corporate documents
- Evidence of genuine business activity
- Payroll information
- Any additional Migración, MITRADEL or CSS documentation
A company with outdated corporate records, unpaid obligations or incomplete Social Security documentation may require regularization before the immigration file is ready. See Panama Corporation Incorporation and Panama Company and Remote Commercial Bank Account.
Work Permit, MITRADEL and Social Security Compliance
The Marrakech category involves more than an immigration filing. It may require coordination concerning:
- Work permit and labor card
- MITRADEL filing
- Labor-contract review
- Contract endorsement or registration
- CSS affiliation
- Payroll consistency
- Salary evidence
- Employer labor compliance
- Employer Social Security compliance
- Renewal evidence and consecutive quota payments
- Company payroll composition
MITRADEL’s current official guidance should be reviewed for the permit term, renewal, government fee, payroll requirements and applicable worker ratios. Requirements are subject to the current checklist and criteria of the National Immigration Service, MITRADEL, the Social Security Fund and other competent authorities, and should not be assumed fixed without reconfirmation on the filing date.
Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados may coordinate the legal and documentary components. Payroll, accounting and CSS work may require the employer’s internal team or independent professionals.
Extension of the Marrakech Permit
An extension may require proof that the employment relationship continues and that the employer remains compliant. Potential requirements may include:
- Updated passport documentation
- Current employment letter and labor contract
- Valid work permit
- CSS certification, including evidence of nine consecutive CSS quota payments referenced in the official checklist
- Company documentation, tax good standing and current Public Registry certificate
- Other documents requested by the authorities
Extension requirements are subject to the current official checklist and the applicant’s and employer’s compliance history. Renewal is not guaranteed.
How Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados Can Assist
Initial immigration assessment
Review of nationality, category and long-term objective.
Employer eligibility review
Verification that the employer is operating and compliant.
Company-status review
Public Registry, Notice of Operations and tax good standing.
Applicant checklist
Customized document list for the specific case.
Criminal-background guidance
Orientation on obtaining the required certificate.
Apostille and translation coordination
Coordination of authentication and certified translation.
Health-certificate coordination
Guidance on the applicable procedure.
Labor-contract review
Review and MITRADEL endorsement coordination.
Work-permit coordination
Follow-up on the corresponding labor filing.
CSS-document coordination
Coordination of Social Security documentation.
Immigration file preparation
Preparation and filing before the National Immigration Service.
Government-observation responses
Follow-up with the authorities and response to requirements.
Renewal and long-term planning
Extension planning and long-term immigration strategy.
Qualified Investor planning
Where appropriate, as a possible next step.
Real-estate planning
Where appropriate to the client’s objectives.
Additional legal services and third-party professional work may be quoted separately.
Our Process
Initial Immigration and Employment Assessment
Review of nationality, current immigration status, employer, position, salary and long-term objective.
Employer and Corporate Compliance Review
Review of Public Registry, Notice of Operations, tax good standing, CSS, payroll and company activity.
Applicant Document Checklist
Preparation of a customized list for the applicant.
Labor Contract and Work-Permit Coordination
Coordination of the employment and MITRADEL components.
Immigration File Preparation
Preparation of powers, applications, declarations and supporting documents.
Filing and Follow-Up
Coordination of filing and response to observations.
Renewal and Long-Term Planning
Evaluation of extension, future real estate, Qualified Investor or other options.
No fixed processing time is promised, as timing depends on the competent authorities.
Information Needed to Assess the Case
To provide a preliminary assessment, we generally request:
- Nationality
- Country of current residence
- Current immigration status in Panama
- Whether the applicant is already in Panama
- Employer’s legal name
- Employer’s Public Registry details
- Employer’s business activity
- Number of Panamanian employees
- Number of foreign employees
- Proposed position
- Proposed salary
- Contract duration
- Whether the contract has been signed
- MITRADEL status
- Work-permit status
- CSS affiliation status
- Notice of Operations status
- Tax-good-standing status
- Criminal-background status
- Apostille status
- Applicant’s family situation and dependents
- Long-term immigration objective
- Future property-purchase plan
- Future Qualified Investor objective
Professional Fees
Marrakech Immigration Permit
Quoted by email after reviewing the employer, job, salary, corporate documentation, labor documentation and immigration file.
Work Permit and MITRADEL Coordination
Quoted according to scope.
Employer Corporate Regularization
Quoted separately, where required.
CSS, Payroll or Accounting Coordination
Quoted separately and may involve independent professionals.
Future Qualified Investor or Real Estate Planning
Quoted separately.
Potential additional costs may include: government charges, certified checks, the MITRADEL fee, notarial expenses, Public Registry certificates, criminal-background certificates, apostilles, official translations, health certificate, work-permit expenses, CSS or accounting support, courier, corporate regularization, tax-good-standing documents and employer-compliance documents.
The written quotation controls the final legal scope, professional fees and third-party costs. For more information about our fee structure, visit Legal Fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Marrakech Permit
What is the Marrakech Agreement permit in Panama?
It is an employment-based immigration category for foreign nationals hired by a qualifying Panama company, subject to Law 23 of 1997 and current regulations.
Is it permanent residence?
No. It is a temporary, employer-linked category and is not permanent residence.
Can it allow someone to live legally in Panama?
Yes, subject to approval, provided a genuine employer, position and complete file are in place.
Is it relevant to non-Friendly Nations nationals?
It can be particularly relevant for nationals whose country is not on the Friendly Nations list, subject to review.
Does it require a real employer?
Yes. The employer, position and salary must be genuine and documented.
Does it require a genuine job?
Yes. Simulated or fictitious employment is not acceptable.
Can my own Panama company employ me?
This depends on the company’s genuine operations, compliance and the facts of the case, and must be reviewed individually.
Must the company genuinely operate?
Yes. The employer must show real business activity and compliant corporate records.
Are simulated contracts allowed?
No. Simulated contracts or paper payroll are not permitted and are not something we assist with.
What salary is required?
The current official checklist refers to a minimum monthly salary for this permit, which must be reconfirmed before filing.
Is the current minimum salary B/.1,000?
The current official Migración checklist references B/.1,000.00 per month; this should be reconfirmed at the time of filing since requirements can change.
Is a work permit required?
Yes, a MITRADEL work permit or labor card is required.
Is MITRADEL involved?
Yes. The labor contract and work permit involve MITRADEL coordination.
Is Social Security (CSS) affiliation required?
Yes, CSS affiliation and compliant payroll are required for the employer and applicant.
What documents does the company need?
Corporate, tax, labor and Social Security documentation, among others described above.
What documents does the foreign applicant need?
Passport, photographs, personal declarations and other documents described above, some of which may require apostille or translation.
Is a criminal-background certificate required?
Generally yes for adult applicants, where applicable under the current checklist.
Do documents require an apostille?
Foreign documents commonly require apostille, authentication and official Spanish translation.
Can this permit lead to permanent residence?
Not automatically. Any future permanent-residence application must be evaluated separately under the law in effect at that time.
Can I later apply for Qualified Investor?
Possibly, subject to independent review of eligibility and requirements at that time. See Qualified Investor.
Can I buy real estate while holding this permit?
Property purchases are generally possible, but they do not by themselves change immigration status or guarantee future residence.
Can I save and apply through another program later?
Yes, this is a common planning strategy, though it is not a guarantee of future eligibility.
Can dependents apply?
Dependent applications may be possible depending on the case and must be reviewed individually.
How long does the permit last?
Official guidance should be reconfirmed at filing; permits in this category are generally issued for a defined term and are renewable, subject to compliance.
Can it be renewed?
Yes, an extension may be requested, but renewal is not guaranteed.
What is required for renewal?
Generally, evidence of continued employment, employer compliance and CSS payment history, including consecutive quota payments referenced in the official checklist.
Why are nine CSS quotas relevant?
The official checklist references certification of nine consecutive Social Security quota payments in connection with extension requests.
Can the application be rejected?
Yes. Approval is never guaranteed and depends on the competent authorities.
What if the employer is not compliant?
Non-compliance may delay or prevent the filing until the employer is regularized.
Can the company be regularized first?
Yes, corporate regularization can often be completed before or alongside the immigration filing.
Does approval guarantee a bank account?
No. Bank account approval is a separate process subject to each bank’s own compliance requirements.
Does the permit create tax residence?
No. This permit does not by itself establish tax residence.
Can Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados assist with a later property purchase?
Yes, this can be planned as part of a longer-term strategy when relevant to the client’s objectives.
Can Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados assist with Qualified Investor later?
Yes, we can evaluate this as a possible future step, subject to independent review at that time.
Do You Need a Lawful Route to Live and Work in Panama?
Send us your nationality, current immigration status, employer details, proposed position, salary, contract duration and long-term immigration objective. We will review whether the Marrakech employment category may be viable or whether another Panama immigration program should be considered.