News
Thursday 13th March 2025.
March 12, 2025
Amid the tightening of U.S. immigration policy with the arrival of Donald Trump to the White House , Panama has created a “humanitarian security protection permit,” available to any foreigner who has been in the country for less than a year without legal status.
If the foreigner has left Panama for fewer than 60 consecutive days during that year, it doesn’t matter: they can also apply for this special permit.
These conditions apply, for example, to those migrants who arrived from the United States last February, as part of an agreement that made Panama a bridge country for their permanent repatriation. Of the 299 migrants who arrived on three planes from the United States, about 100 remain in Panama, having refused to return to their countries of origin.
The new permit will cost $1,150 per person and will be valid for two years, extendable for six more.
The permit was created by President José Raúl Mulino through Executive Decree No. 6 of March 11, 2025 , which was also signed by Public Security Minister Frank Ábrego . The regulation will take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette , which, as of 4:00 p.m. this Wednesday, had not yet occurred. Therefore, it is not yet available.
The document grants the applicant resident status and immediate permission to work throughout the country, also valid for two years.
Foreigners interested in obtaining the permit must obtain a legal representative , fill out an application and submit two passport-sized photos, a duly notarized copy of their passport, a criminal record certificate from their country of origin, a health certificate and two certified or cashier’s checks from the National Bank of Panama (BNP) , in favor of the National Immigration Service (SNM) : one for an amount of $800 to cover the costs of a possible repatriation and another for $250 for immigration services (appointment, receipt of documents, issuance of the final resolution, etc.).
These costs are non-refundable. Additionally, you must pay $100 for the card and the multiple visa for the protection permit, and another $100 if you wish to obtain a work permit. This last fee is paid to the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel).
The program does not exclude foreigners who were not admitted as refugees by the National Office for Refugee Assistance (ONPAR) . They will also be eligible if they meet the requirements outlined in Executive Decree No. 6.
After the two-year validity period has elapsed, the foreigner can request an extension of up to six years, which will cost $350 (the amount drops to $100 if the applicant is a minor). This grants permanent resident status . The work permit is charged separately and costs $250.
The six-year extension will also be available to foreigners who benefited from a special immigration program launched in July 2023 by the Laurentino Cortizo administration (2019-2024).
The funds raised from the issuance of humanitarian permits will be allocated to social assistance and security programs. Ninety percent of the proceeds will be allocated to the Ministry of the Presidency , and 10% will be deposited in a “special fund for human resource development” within the National Secretariat of National Immigration and Migration (SNM).
The $800 repatriation fee will be allocated to a SNM trust fund. The money received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MITRAD) for work permits will be allocated to its “special operating fund” (30%) and to the Ministry of the Presidency (70%).
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha described the relationship with the United States as “complex but good.” The relationship between the United States and its Republican president, Donald Trump , has vowed to recover the canal, part of a campaign of statements criticized as disinformation about the waterway.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Martínez-Acha said that, in light of Trump’s claims about “recovering” the waterway for the United States, the Panamanian government is “calm ,” since the country’s president, José Raúl Mulino , “has been clear: the canal is Panamanian and will remain Panamanian.”
“I don’t feel that these are tensions (…) our relationship with our main ally is complex, but it’s good, and we are putting many things in place and coordinating many things in terms of security, cybersecurity, and cooperation” on issues such as the migration crisis, the chancellor told TVN .
The Panama Canal , which the United States built in the 20th century and operated for more than 80 years until its transfer to Panama on December 31, 1999, is a major global trade route.
Since 2016, it has been operating an expansion that cost more than $5.5 billion, multiplying its revenue and strategic value.
Trump claims he will reclaim the waterway for the United States, arguing that China controls it, given that two of the five ports surrounding it are operated by the Kong Kong-based company CK Hutchison.
Amid this controversy, CK Hutchison announced last week that it will sell the concession to a consortium made up of the American asset manager BlackRock and TiL, the port arm of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), as part of a transaction worth nearly $23 billion that includes more than 40 ports it manages in some twenty countries.
In the face of Trump’s attacks, President Mulino has also maintained that the canal is part of the country’s “history of struggle and irreversible conquest” and that the waterway is controlled solely by Panama.
“There is no warlike or combat purpose within the specifications that Panama has requested for the purchase of these aircraft,” said Deputy Minister of Security Luis Felipe Icaza, regarding the purchase of the six aircraft that the government is processing for the National Aeronaval Service (Senan).
On Tuesday, March 11, the Cabinet approved the acquisition of four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for $78 million from the Brazilian company Embraer SA and two CASA C-295 aircraft for $109 million from the European company Airbus.
The deputy minister stated that the aircraft only have patrol, rescue, and cargo capabilities and will be used for SENAN’s rescue and humanitarian assistance efforts, as well as to respond to emergencies requiring air transport.
He said the new aircraft will replace the current fleet of 14 planes dating back to the 1980s, whose maintenance costs around $10 million annually.
“It responds to the need to have adequate means to address illicit situations in the national territory, such as the fight against drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other irregular operations,” he said.
He explained that the aircraft will be purchased with external financing or a loan for a period of 10 to 12 years. “We are evaluating how much they will cost and the timeframe the bank will allow us. The funds will come from our budget,” the deputy minister said.
He also reported that the CASA aircraft purchased from Airbus will be used for cargo and humanitarian work, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and firefighting operations, while the Super Tucano aircraft will be used for aerial patrol.
The deputy minister stated that although all of these aircraft can be equipped with weapons, he clarified that they will be used primarily for patrolling and preventing organized crime.
Rafael Jurado, deputy naval commander of the Senan (National Air Force), reiterated that these will not be combat aircraft. “We’re not talking about something military, but rather something Panama will be using to monitor its security.”
Jurado stated that the State’s capacity to monitor the entire country will be strengthened.
The Social Security Fund (CSS) reform bill was submitted to the National Assembly for a second debate this Wednesday, March 12, 2025, after the deputies approved an adjustment to its entry into force, which was endorsed by the majority.
The decision responds to the need to review the implementation deadlines for the regulations, amid a debate marked by conflicting positions.
The amendment was introduced by Representatives Danna Castañeda, Orlando Carrasquilla, Janine Prado, Alain Cedeño, and others , to adjust Article 202 of Bill 163. The change establishes that the law will take effect upon its enactment, except in cases where a different term has been provided.
The original proposal established that the law would take effect on March 1, 2025, except for those provisions that provided for a different validity period. Ultimately, the amendment to Article 202 was approved with 40 votes in favor, 18 against, and one in favor of the original text.
Yesterday, Tuesday, the bill had been approved in a second debate; however, given the need to make the adjustments for its entry into force, a decision was made to return the proposal to a second debate.
During the supporting vote, Ernesto Cedeño, a representative from the Another Way Movement (MOCA), was firm in his stance on the CSS reforms, emphasizing his responsibility in addressing issues of corruption and justice. In fact, he harshly criticized those who, according to him, are trying to divert attention from the real problems, such as parallel decentralization and the questionable management of public funds.
During his speech, the congressman also emphasized the need for a serious and in-depth discussion on the proposed reforms, especially those related to the pension increase.
He pointed out that any decision on this issue must go through a transparent process in the National Assembly and not be a unilateral imposition, as some have attempted to present. He clarified that the law clearly establishes that, if an increase in the retirement age is necessary, the Executive Branch must submit the proposal to the Assembly for debate and discussion.
Before Cedeño, representatives from the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), such as Benicio Robinson and Crispiano Adames, had spoken out, questioning the reforms. Specifically, this group is criticized for the mismanagement of public funds in issues such as parallel decentralization.
Following the MOCA representative’s participation, the Assembly president declared a recess until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow to move on to the third debate on the bill.
Repair work on the slab surface in the right lane of the Bridge of the Americas, heading toward Panama West, will begin tonight, Wednesday, March 12.
This was reported by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) , which detailed that these works will last one month and will be carried out from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am.
“Drivers are advised to heed the instructions of traffic safety personnel, respect posted signs, and maintain a speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour ,” the ministry emphasized.
These tasks are part of the “Maintenance and Evaluation of the Bridge of the Americas” project , which is being carried out by the Bridge of the Americas Rehabilitation Consortium.