SEM & EMMA VISA PROGRAMS FOR MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
There are various visa special programs that is specifically designed for foreign companies that have headquarteded in Panama for the purpose of manufacturing and marketing. CONTACT OUR EXPERT IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS FOR DETAILS TO QUALIFY YOU!
The following special visa programs are available for multinational companies foreign national employees and their dependents:
SEM: Temporary visa for multinational company permanent staff
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. Holders of this visa do not require work permits.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are as follows:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos.
- Copy of your valid passport
- Police criminal record from the country of origin or residence, duly (apostilled)
- Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor
- 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.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTE:
- If the applicant has been residing in the country for two or more years and has not left the national territory for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, a Certificate of Criminal Record issued by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) of the Republic of Panama can be submitted.
SEM: Temporary visa for dependent of permanent staff of 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:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport's complete pages
- Police criminal record from the country of origin or residence (apostiled)
- Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor
- 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.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
- Proof of relationship: Apostiled Marriage certificate, birth certificate of the permanent staff, or birth certificate of the children, or judicial certificate of guardianship and upbringing
- Letter of Responsibility from the Permanent Staff with SEM Visa to their dependent(s).
- Proof of residency in Panama
- For children or individuals under guardianship and upbringing who are of legal age but under twenty-five years, the following must also be provided:
- Certification of studies from an educational institution accrediting their full-time or regular student status.
- Sworn Declaration of Singlehood before a Notary Public in Panama.
To apply for a renewal, the above requirements, excluding the Certificate of Criminal Record and proof of relationship, must be provided. When the renewal request includes married dependents, the marriage certificate must be provided again or replaced by a sworn declaration stating that the applicant and their spouse are still married. Every renewal request must be accompanied by a copy of the card that approved the SEM Visa.
SEM:Temporary visa for temporary staff of multinational company
This visa can be requested by companies hiring foreign personnel to provide technical or training services to the Multinational Company Headquarters for a period not exceeding three months, extendable for an additional three months. Like the Permanent SEM Staff, this visa does not require a work permit.
The requirements for applying for permanent residency are:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your valid passport
- Police criminal record ( apostiled)
- Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor
- 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.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
To apply for a renewal, the above requirements, excluding the Certificate of Criminal Record, must be provided. Every renewal request must be accompanied by a copy of the card that approved the SEM Visa.
SEM: Permanent visa for foreigner who has worked as permanent staff of a multinational company
This visa permit can be requested by foreign personnel who have ceased to work for any Multinational Company Headquarters once five years have passed from the approval of the Permanent Staff Visa for Multinational Company Headquarters.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos.
- Copy of your passport
- Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor
- Certified check of $250.00 to the National Treasury
- Proof of investment in the national territory, which will be demonstrated by presenting at least one (1) of the following requirements:
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has worked for several companies with a Multinational Company Headquarters License, to prove the total minimum required time of five (5) years, they may submit:
- Copy of the card(s) or resolutions issued by the National Migration Service approving the Permanent SEM Staff Visa.
- Letter(s) from the company(s) for which they previously worked, containing the information described above.
- Sworn Declaration before a Notary Public indicating the applicant's particulars, the position or role held, the exact time worked, and the salary earned at each of the company(s) with a Multinational Company Headquarters License.
- If the Visa application includes dependents, they must also comply with the requirements established for the Dependent Visa of Permanent Staff SEM.
SEM: Permanent visa for foreigner who continues to work for a multinational company
This visa can be requested by foreign personnel who continue to work for any Multinational Company Headquarters, once five years have passed from the approval of the Permanent Staff Visa for Multinational Company Headquarters.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:
- Notarized powers of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos.
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Certificate of good health by a Panama doctor
- Certified check of $250. to the National Treasury
- 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.
- Bank Certification: This must be issued by a Panamanian licensed 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 a thousand balboas for each dependent (if applicable).
- Documentary proof of the foreign worker's affiliation with the Social Security Fund, which may be:
- Copy of the Social Security card.
- Any other document required by the Social Security authority and immigration authority to verify this purpose.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has worked for several companies with a Multinational Company Headquarters License, to prove the total minimum required time of five (5) years, they may submit:
- Copy of the card(s) or resolutions issued by the National Migration Service approving the Permanent SEM Staff Visa.
- Letter(s) from the company(s) for which they previously worked, containing the information described above.
- Sworn Declaration before a Notary Public indicating the applicant's particulars, the position or role held, the exact time worked, and the salary earned at each of the company(s) with a Multinational Company Headquarters License.
- If the Visa application includes dependents, they must also comply with the requirements established for the Dependent Visa of Permanent Staff SEM
EMMA: Temporary visa for dependent of permanent staff of multinational companies for the provision of manufacturing-related services
Spouses or partners together for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability, children under eighteen years of age up to twenty-five years of age if they are regular students and economically dependent on 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 can apply for this residence permit. These visas will be valid for the same term as the one granted to Permanent EMMA Staff.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:
- Notarized powers of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Police clearance report ( apostilled )
- Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
- Letter of employment and responsibility from the EMMA company signed by the legal representative. The letter should include the assigned position, duration of the contract, duties to be performed, salary, source of salary, indication of the insurance to which the staff member will belong, and the company's commitment to repatriation if necessary.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
- Proof of relationship: Marriage certificate, birth certificate of the permanent staff, or birth certificate of the children, or judicial certificate of guardianship and upbringing duly apostilled or authenticated by the Consulate of Panama in the issuing country.
- Letter of Responsibility from the Permanent Staff with EMMA Visa to their dependent(s).
- Utility bills, lease agreement, hotel reservation, or any other document proving foreign domicile during their stay.
- For children or individuals under guardianship and upbringing who are of legal age but under twenty-five years, the following must also be provided:
- Certification of studies from an educational institution accrediting their full-time or regular student status.
- Sworn declaration of single status before a Notary Public in Panama.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has been residing in the country for two or more years and has not left the national territory for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, a Certificate of Criminal Record issued by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) of the Republic of Panama can be submitted.
- If the applicant provides a Certificate of Criminal Record from their country of residence, documentary evidence of residence in that country must be submitted.
- For couples who are together for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability, the following documents must be provided to demonstrate this union:
- Certification issued by the Legal Representative of the Multinational Company Headquarters, stating that the foreign personnel to be hired has been united with their partner for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability.
- Sworn Declaration before a Notary Public in Panama, in which the foreign personnel to be hired and their partner indicate that they have been united for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability.
To apply for a renewal, the above requirements must be provided, except for the Certificate of Criminal Record and proof of relationship. When the renewal request includes married dependents, the marriage certificate must be provided again or replaced by a sworn declaration indicating that the applicant and their spouse are still married. Every renewal request must be accompanied by a copy of the card that approved the EMMA Visa.
EMMA: Temporary visa for dependent of permanent staff of multinational companies for the provision of manufacturing-related services
Spouses or partners together for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability, children under eighteen years of age up to twenty-five years of age if they are regular students and economically dependent on 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 can apply for this residence permit. These visas will be valid for the same term as the one granted to Permanent EMMA Staff.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are as follows:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Police clearance report ( apostiled )
- Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
- Letter of employment and responsibility from the EMMA company signed by the legal representative or person authorized for this purpose. The letter should include the assigned position, duration of the contract, duties to be performed, salary, source of salary, indication of the insurance to which the staff member will belong, and the company's commitment to repatriation if necessary.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
- Proof of relationship: Marriage certificate, birth certificate of the permanent staff, or birth certificate of the children, or judicial certificate of guardianship and upbringing duly apostilled or authenticated by the Consulate of Panama in the issuing country.
- Letter of Responsibility from the Permanent Staff with EMMA Visa to their dependent(s).
- Utility bills, lease agreement, hotel reservation, or any other document proving foreign domicile during their stay.
- For children or individuals under guardianship and upbringing who are of legal age but under twenty-five years, the following must also be provided:
- Certification of studies from an educational institution accrediting their full-time or regular student status.
- Sworn declaration of single status before a Notary Public in Panama.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has been residing in the country for two or more years and has not left the national territory for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, a Certificate of Criminal Record issued by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) of the Republic of Panama can be submitted.
- If the applicant provides a Certificate of Criminal Record from their country of residence, documentary evidence of residence in that country must be submitted.
- For couples who are together for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability, the following documents must be provided to demonstrate this union:
- Certification issued by the Legal Representative of the Multinational Company Headquarters, stating that the foreign personnel to be hired has been united with their partner for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability.
- Sworn Declaration before a Notary Public in Panama, in which the foreign personnel to be hired and their partner indicate that they have been united for a minimum of five years under conditions of singularity and stability.
To apply for a renewal, the above requirements must be provided, except for the Certificate of Criminal Record and proof of relationship. When the renewal request includes married dependents, the marriage certificate must be provided again or replaced by a sworn declaration indicating that the applicant and their spouse are still married. Every renewal request must be accompanied by a copy of the card that approved the EMMA Visa.
EMMA: Temporary visa for temporary staff of multinational companies for the provision of manufacturing-related services
This permit can be requested by companies hiring foreign personnel to provide technical or training services to the Multinational Company for the provision of manufacturing-related services (EMMA) for a period of up to two (2) years, extendable.
Once the resolution approving the temporary staff visa is issued, the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL) will grant the corresponding work permit.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Seven (7) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Police clearance report (apostiled)
- Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
- Letter of employment and responsibility from the SEM company signed by the legal representative or person authorized for this purpose. The letter should include the assigned position, the duration of the period for which services will be provided, the remuneration for the services rendered, the suitability or specialization of the personnel, and the operational or training functions.
- Certification of a medical insurance policy, whether collective or individual.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has been residing in the country for two or more years and has not left the national territory for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, a Certificate of Criminal Record issued by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) of the Republic of Panama can be submitted.
- If the applicant provides a Certificate of Criminal Record from their country of residence, documentary evidence of residence in that country must be submitted.
To apply for an renewal, the above requirements must be provided, except for the Certificate of Criminal Record. Any renewal request must be accompanied by a copy of the card that approved the EMMA Visa.
EMMA: Permanent visa for foreigner who has worked as permanent staff for multinational companies providing manufacturing-related services
Foreign personnel who have ceased working for any multinational company with an EMMA License can apply for this permit after five years from the approval of the Permanent Personnel Visa for Multinational Companies providing Manufacturing-related Services (EMMA).
The requirements for applying for permanent residency are:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
- Payment of B/.250.00 to the National Treasury for the right to migratory category. (Certified check)
- Proof of investment in the national territory, which will be demonstrated by presenting at least one (1) of the following requirements:
- 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 general licensed bank in the national territory, for a minimum value of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Balboas (B/.150,000.00), or its equivalent in foreign currency. This certification must be accompanied by a copy of the fixed-term certificate authenticated by the respective bank.
- 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.
- 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).
- Letter of employment and responsibility from the EMMA company signed by the legal representative or person authorized for this purpose. The letter should specify the position held, the duration of employment with the company, the termination of the employment relationship, the salary, and the functions performed.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has worked for several companies with an EMMA license, to prove the total minimum required time of five (5) years, they can provide:
- Copy of card(s) or resolutions issued by the National Immigration Service approving the EMMA Permanent Personnel Visa.
- Letter(s) from the company(s) for which they previously worked, containing the information described above.
- Affidavit before a Panamanian Notary Public indicating the applicant's personal information, the position or role held, the exact time worked, and the salary earned in each of the companies with an EMMA License.
- If the Permanent Staff Visa application includes dependents, they must also comply with the requirements established for the Dependent Visa for Permanent EMMA Staff.
EMMA: Permanent visa for foreigner who continues to work in a multinational companies providing manufacturing-related services
Foreign personnel continuing to work for any multinational company providing manufacturing-related services (EMMA) can apply for this permit after five years from the approval of the EMMA Permanent Personnel Visa.
The requirements for applying for permanent residence are:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Five (5) passport-sized photos
- Copy of your passport complete pages
- Certificate of good health issued by a doctor in Panama.
- Certified check of $250. to the National Treasury
- Letter of employment and responsibility from the EMMA company signed by the legal representative or person authorized for this purpose. The letter should specify the position held, the exact time of employment with the company, the salary, the functions performed, and it must also specify that the worker continues to work for the company.
- Bank Certification: This must be issued by a Panamanian licensed 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 a thousand balboas for each dependent (if applicable).
- Documentary proof of the foreign worker's affiliation with the Social Security Fund, which may be:
- Copy of the Social Security card.
- Any other document required by the Social Security authority and immigration authority to verify this purpose.
- Certification issued by the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Company Headquarters Licensing Commission.
NOTES:
- If the applicant has worked for several companies with an EMMA License, to prove the total minimum required time of five (5) years, they can provide:
- Copy of the card(s) or resolutions issued by the National Migration Service approving the Permanent SEM Staff Visa.
- Letter(s) from the company(s) for which they previously worked, containing the information described above.
- Affidavit before a Panamanian Notary Public indicating the applicant's personal information, the position or role held, the exact time worked, and the salary earned in each of the companies with an EMMA License.
- If the Permanent Staff Visa application includes dependents, they must also comply with the requirements established for the Dependent Visa for Permanent EMMA Staff.
