


City of Knowledge Work Visa Program
This program allows foreign investors to
obtain up to 5 work visas (valid for an initial term of 2 years,
and renewable for an additional 2 years) for their company in
Panama under the condition that they must rent an office or building
within the City of Knowledge of Panama (located within the former
Fort Clayton military base), for the purpose of operating a business
from Panama.
Since the turn-over of the US military bases
in Panama, the Panamanian government has designated part of Fort
Clayton as the "City of Knowledge", in attempts to attract
foreign investment and businesses, offering similar tax benefits
as the existing Colon Free Trade Zone (the second largest distribution
center in the world).
The businesses operating from the City of
Knowledge have distinct tax advantages for operating manufacturing
plants, assembly plants, software creation facilities, call centers,
and other such businesses that export their products or services.
These businesses also get a substantial tax break on a certain
percentage of their products or services sold locally.
Procedures
for Applying for Work Permits:
1. Provide all required documents, and sign
the Special Power of Attorney for our law firm to handle your
immigration paperwork.
2. Our law firm submits your application
for a 2 year Work Permit Visa, under the Ciudad del Saber (City
of Knowledge) Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card,
which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration
Department to process the 2 year Work Permit Visa). After 3 months,
you will be issued a new Work Permit Card that is valid for 2
years.
4. After the 2 year Work Permit Visa expires,
our law firm will submit a new application to extend the Work
Permit Visa for a maximum of another 2 years.
A short visit to Panama is required for the
processing of the Work Permit Visa.
Fees:
For Primary
Applicant:
Legal Fee - 2 year Work Visa: US$3000
Government Fees and Costs: US$800
For Dependents (spouse or children under 18 yrs):
Stage 1:
Legal Fee - 2 year Temporary Visa: US$1500
Government Fees and Costs: US$800
Required
Documents (for Work Visas):
1. Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant
(and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that
shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place
of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all
pages used in the passport).
2. Original Police record of the applicant,
from the place of residence (and spouse & children - if applicable),
duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest
you.
3. Original Birth Certificate of the applicant
(and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated
by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
4. Original Marriage Certificate for the
applicant (and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and
authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
5. Six (6) passport sized photographs of
the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
6. Certificate of Good Health, issued by
a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered,
licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents
- if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental
and physical condition. THIS MUST BE DONE DURING YOUR INITIAL
VISIT TO PANAMA.
7. Certification from the Fundacion Ciudad
del Saber (Foundation of the City of Knowledge), certifying that
the applicant is involved in a business located and registered
within the City of Knowledge.
Documents
that our law firm will provide to you:
1. Special Power of Attorney, signed by the
applicant (and dependents - if applicable), authorizing our law
firm to process the immigration applications and documentation.
2. Letter of Responsibility,
signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility
for his/her dependents.
Note that immigration request that the applicant for any
type of visa, be present physically at the immigration office
in Panama, at the time of Visa application.
If you are interested in relocating to Panama, or obtaining legal
residency in Panama, please contact us for a personal consultation.
Multiple
Entry & Exit Visa (Optional): The Multiple Entry
& Exit Visa should be applied for after or at the same time
that any type of visa is applied for. The Multiple Entry &
Exit Visa allows you to enter and exit the country as many times
as necessary. For more information about the Multiple Entry &
Exit Visa, please CLICK
HERE.
If you are interested in relocating to Panama, or obtaining legal
residency in Panama, please contact us for a personal consultation.
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