Panama’s government has enacted a new Executive Decree to attract international scientists and researchers through a specialized immigration pathway. The National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Panama) announced the policy this week. Officials aim to bring between 25 and 50 foreign experts to the country.
Executive Decree No. 6, dated March 20, 2026, establishes a new permanent residency subcategory specifically for scientists and technologists. Published in the Official Gazette, the decree creates a formal framework where none previously existed. It facilitates the temporary or permanent relocation of these professionals and their families. The policy directly responds to data showing Panama’s research capacity lags far behind global averages.
Eduardo Ortega Barría, the National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation, explained the urgent need for the reform. He stated that attracting international talent is not a replacement for local training. It serves as a necessary complement to speed up strategic national projects.
“Panama is at a key stage of transition toward a knowledge-based economy where it is important to develop higher value-added activities through innovation,” Ortega Barría said. [Translated from Spanish] “We have strengthened our scientific capabilities, but we still face gaps in the critical mass of researchers. Attracting international talent complements and accelerates strategic processes like knowledge transfer, the training of new generations, and the development of solutions to urgent national problems.”
The immediate implementation will involve creating a Single Window for Scientific Insertion. This administrative mechanism is designed to reduce bureaucratic barriers. It ensures incoming researchers can integrate effectively into Panama’s academic and industrial sectors.
Addressing a Critical Shortfall in Research Capacity
Official statistics underscore the scale of the challenge. According to the Panamanian Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation, the country had just 1,208 full-time researchers in 2025. This equates to roughly 290 researchers per million inhabitants. That figure sits dramatically below the global average of approximately one thousand per million.
This limited critical mass constrains Panama’s ability to advance complex, technology-driven initiatives. The National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Panama) currently leads several national strategies requiring deep expertise. These include a National Semiconductor and Microelectronics Strategy, a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and plans to attract data center industries. Developing local specialized human talent for these fields takes years, sometimes decades.
The new visa program seeks to shortcut that timeline. It imports established expertise from more developed scientific ecosystems. The decree’s preamble explicitly cites the goal of strengthening Panama’s research and development landscape. It aims to attract researchers and technologists with international track records and renown.
Global Precedents and Anticipated Benefits
Ortega Barría pointed to successful international models to justify the policy. Countries like the United States, Israel, and China have historically leveraged immigrant scientists to fuel innovation and economic growth. He cited compelling statistics, noting that roughly 45 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Names like Google, Intel, Tesla, Apple, and Amazon exemplify this trend. In the academic realm, about 30 percent of Nobel Prizes won by U.S.-based researchers since 1901 went to foreign-born scientists.
“Scientists trained in different systems who migrate to another country solve problems in different ways, which accelerates discoveries,” Ortega Barría argued. [Translated from Spanish] “It also allows a country to advance rapidly in areas where it has no local experts, without having to wait decades to train a generation from scratch. These professionals bring with them their contacts at elite universities and research centers around the world.”
The anticipated benefits extend beyond direct research output. Officials expect knowledge transfer to local students and professionals. They anticipate the formation of new research teams and collaborative solutions to domestic challenges. Priority areas include climate change, water resource management, public health, and precision agriculture. The influx of foreign researchers is also seen as a way to more deeply integrate Panama into global scientific networks.
Implementation and Long-Term Vision
The decree establishes clear eligibility criteria for the new residency subcategory. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record as researchers or technologists. This is typically evidenced by advanced degrees, publications, patents, or leadership roles in recognized institutions. The process will be managed jointly by Senacyt and the National Migration Service, with Senacyt evaluating the scientific merit of candidates.
This structured approach aims to avoid ad-hoc evaluations. It ensures that those admitted align with Panama’s strategic development goals. The creation of the dedicated administrative window is a key component, intended to streamline what can often be a complex relocation process for highly skilled individuals and their families.
Long-term, the policy is part of a broader investment vision. Senacyt data suggests that optimal scientific development requires a critical mass of researchers. The government frames this initiative as a catalyst for Panama’s transition toward a Knowledge-based economy. Officials believe the program will accelerate innovation, create higher-value industries, and position Panama as a regional hub for scientific excellence.
Ortega Barría emphasized that the visa program represents just one component of a comprehensive strategy. The government continues to invest in local education and training programs. The new pathway for foreign scientists complements these domestic efforts. It does not replace them.
“We are building a bridge between global scientific expertise and Panama’s national priorities,” Ortega Barría concluded. [Translated from Spanish] “This visa is a tool for that bridge. It brings the world’s best minds to solve Panama’s most pressing challenges.”