There are several factors that affect migration to the territory of the Republic of Panama, and some of them are: recreational tourism and real estate, tax residence, security, the cost of living standards, placement of investment, search for human resources, among others.

Decree Law No.16 of 1960, regulates migratory activity mission entrusted to the National Directorate and Immigration and Naturalization; provides different types of Residence Permits offered abroad the opportunity to settle temporary (non-immigrant) or permanently in our country , according to their particular needs.

The temporary visitor visas were created for those without wishing to reside in the Republic of Panama, needed to enter the country for periods of time for compliance with certain specific purposes (from 90 days to 1 year, extendable to a Up to 5 years). Most of the temporary visitor visas do not allow visitors to work on the national territory and meet its exceptions, confined to the foreign worker, the workplace where he was previously employed, requiring the renewal of the visa.

Types of Non-Immigrant Visas (temporary) covered by our laws are as follows:

- Tourist Visa and Transient.
- Visa Traveler Transport and Transport Direct
- Temporary Visitor Visa Farmer, or Religious Student
- Temporary Visitor Visa Technician.
- Temporary Visitor Visa Visiting Relatives.
- Temporary Visitor Visa Correspondent Press.
- Temporary Visitor Visa to undergoing medical treatment.
- Temporary Visitor Visa Executive hired by Enterprise in Colon Free Zone.
- Temporary Visitor Visa Member of the International Diplomatic Delegation.
- Temporary Visitor Visa Technical Recruited by the Panamanian State.
- Visitor Visa or Special Temporary Executive Employers for conducting a particular mission and in our country, as long as their source of income comes from overseas or from the foreign company based in the Republic of Panama

The visas allow immigrants permanent residency after a year, and eventually the foreign applicant may apply for a personal panamanian identity card along which will grant permission to stay Definitely (Residence) in the national territory, and will eventually be the applicant may claim it Panamanian citizenship through naturalization proceedings.

- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit Under Resolution of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development within 10% of the staff employed.
- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit for Married person with the a Panamanian Citisen.
- Immigrant Visa and residence permit for Economic Solvency Own.
- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit for a Dependent of a Resident Family.
- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit for a Farmer.
- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit For a Medium Business investor.
- Immigrant Visa and Residence Permit for a Small Busines investor.

For those foreigners without renouncing their nationality of origin, wished to remain indefinitely in the panamanian soil, the Panamanian government offers the option of Tourist Visa for a retired person as an alternative with minimum Requirements and formalities, in addition to a number of tariff advantages, willing only to those who receive a Retirement Pension or a foreign government or private company for the rest of their life.