25 Jobs Forbidden To Foreigners in Panama

Medicine, Law, Accounting & 22 other professions that cannot be practiced by Expats in Panama

Panama wants its citizens to be hired for jobs in Panama, not foreigners.

No surprise there.  

No government likes foreigners taking jobs away from their citizens.

Panama is especially protective of its professional jobs.

Panama prohibits foreigners from holding 25 specific professional and quasi professional jobs.

No matter which type of work permit you get, it is rare that it would allow you to work one of those jobs

The only exception is if you are married to a Panamanian.

Of course, some expats do practice at least some of these jobs under-the-table. But they are taking a risk doing that.

25 Jobs Forbidden To Foreigners

- Dentist

- Dental assistant

- Lawyer

- Veterinarian

- Chiropractors

- Medical, including

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Radiologist
• Laboratory technician
• Pharmacist
• Nutritionist

- Therapists, such as

• Sociologist
• Psychologist
• Physiotherapist
• Speech therapy

- Social worker

- Accounting

- Hairdressing and Cosmetology

- Chemist

- Engineering and Architecture

- Agricultural Sciences

- Journalism

- Public Relations

- Economist

Click here to find 15 ways you can get a work permit

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