SEM VISA PROGRAM FOR MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

This visa can be requested by a company hiring foreign workers for administrative & executive positions. It will be granted for a period of five (5) years.  This renewal can be done multiple times without limitation and holders of this visa do not require to apply for work permits.

The residency requirements are as follows:

1. Valid passport
2. Police clearance report from the country of origin (apostilled)  
3. Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor 
4. Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the designated position, duration of the contract, duties to be performed, salary, source of salary, indicate the insurance to which the employee will belong, and state the company’s responsibility for repatriation if necessary.
5. Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
6. Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.

• SEM: Temporary visa for dependent of permanent staff of a multinational company 

This visa is applicable to spouses or partners united for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability, children under eighteen years of age and up to twenty-five years of age, provided they are studying regularly and are financially dependent on the permanent staff of Multinational Company Headquarters, disabled children living with them, and parents of said personnel, who remain in the national territory under the responsibility of the main applicant. These visas will be valid for the same term as the one granted to Permanent Staff SEM.

The requirements for applying for permanent residency are:

1. 1. Notarized power of attorney 

1. 1. Five (5) passport-sized photos

1. 1. Valid passport 

1. 1. Police criminal record from the country of origin or residence (apostiled) 

1. 1. Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor 

1. 1. Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the designated position, duration of the contract, duties to be performed, salary, source of salary, indicate the insurance to which the employee will belong, and state the company’s responsibility for repatriation if necessary.

1. 1. Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.

1. 1. Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.

1. 1. Proof of relationship: Apostiled Marriage certificate and birth certificates if applicable  

1. 1. Letter of Responsibility from the Permanent Staff with SEM Visa 

1. 1. Proof of residency in Panama 

1. 1. For children or individuals under guardianship and upbringing who are of legal age but under twenty-five years, the following must also be provided:
      1. 1. Certification of studies from an educational institution accrediting their full-time or regular student status.
      1. 1. Affidavit Declaration of solteria before signed before a Notary Public 

• SEM: Temporary visa for temporary staff of a multinational company 

The requirements for applying for this type of visa residency are:

1. 1. Notarized power of attorney 

1. 1. Five (5) passport-size photos

1. 1. Valid passport  

1. 1. Police clearance report ( apostiled) 

1. 1. Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor 

1. 1. Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the designated position, the existence of a contract between the company and the foreigner, specifying the technical or training services required, duration, service fees, the source of these fees, whether local or foreign, and the suitability or specialization of the personnel.

1. 1. Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.

1. 1. Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.

• SEM: Permanent visa for an individual who has worked as permanent staff of a multinational company 

The documents for permanent residency are:

1. 1. Notarized power of attorney 

1. 1. Five (5) passport-size photos

1. 1. Valid passport 

1. 1. Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor 

1. 1. Certified check of $250.00 to the National Treasury 

1. 1. Proof of investment in the national territory, which will be demonstrated by presenting at least one (1) of the following requirements:
      1. 1. Bank certification that the applicant has opened a fixed-term deposit account in their name, with a minimum duration of three (3) years (the fixed term must be free of any encumbrance) in any local bank for a minimum amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Balboas ($150,000.00). 
      1. 1. Certification from the Public Registry of Panama proving ownership of real estate, personally titled to the applicant with a minimum value of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Balboas (B/.150,000.00) free of encumbrances.
      1. 1. The applicant may also demonstrate a mixed investment, derived from obtaining a fixed-term deposit and the purchase of real estate, provided that this investment has a minimum value of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Balboas (B/.150,000.00).

1. 1. Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the position held, the duration of employment with the company, confirmation that the employment relationship has ended, salary, and the duties performed.

1. 1. Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.

• SEM: Permanent visa for foreigner who continues to work for a multinational company 

The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:

1. 1. Notarized power of attorney 

1. 1. Five (5) passport-size photos

1. 1. Valid passport

1. 1. Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor 

1. 1. Certified check of $250. to the National Treasury 

1. 1. Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the position held, the exact time of performing functions for the company, the salary, the duties performed, and it should also specify that the worker continues to work for the company.

1. 1. Bank Certification: This must be issued by a Panamanian bank, from the month before the submission of the application, reflecting a balance of no less than four average figures, which must be increased by $1,000. for each dependent (if applicable).

1. 1. Documentary proof of the foreign worker’s affiliation with the Social Security Fund, which may be:
      1. 1. Copy of the Social Security card.
      1. 1. Any other document required by the Social Security authority and immigration authority to verify this purpose.

1. 1. Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR EXPERT IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS TO FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY UNDER SEM  SPECIAL VISA PROGRAMS

EMAIL: CUSTOMER@PANAMALEGALCENTER.COM

WHATSAPP: +(507) 6404-0388