Revalidation and Homologations of Foreign University Degrees in Panama

If you wish to apply for a professional foreigner visa or study in Panama, being a foreigner with foreign academic degrees, you must first revalidate or homologate your degrees, whether they are bachelor's, master's and/or doctorate degrees.

By resolution of July 14, 2015, the National Immigration Service clarified that only one (1) of the two procedures was necessary, or the homologation or revalidation of the title. In other words, the applicant must only revalidate his professional title.

The Revalidation

The revalidation is a procedure that necessarily precedes the homologation. According to the criteria of the University of Panama, a degree cannot be homologated if it has not been revalidated before, which makes the process more onerous and more extensive. The revalidation usually implies that the applicant meets the academic course and credits that in the judgment of the University are necessary for the title to be revalidated. In most cases, the applicant must complete some subjects.

Exemption of Revalidation

Panama has signed educational agreements with different countries, such as Venezuela, Spain, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Colombia, whose purpose is to validate professional titles with certain facilities. Among those facilities is the waiver of revalidation, whose purpose is to revalidate the professional title without taking additional subjects.

Revalidation Requirements:

1. Application addressed to the Secretary General of the University of Panama, which should include the general information of the applicant, the title that you wish to exonerate or validate and the contact information, and copy.
2. Diploma dully authenticated or Apostilled, and a copy ***
3. Informative bulletin or other official publication of the University that granted the title duly authenticated or Apostilled, showing the data on the Academic System of the Institution, study plan and subject programs, and a copy.
4. Authenticated or apostilled transcript of grades.
5. Abstract of the Thesis and Publications
6. Copy of authenticated or apostilled passport.
7. Updated certificate of birth or certificate proving the nationality of the interested party or passport copy dully authenticated or apostilled, and a copy.
8. Two passport size photos
9. Certified check of USD 500.00 on behalf of the University of Panama.

Countries with exemption of revalidation:

1. Argentina
2. Bahamas,
3. Belice,
4. Bolivia,
5. Brasil
6. Chile
7. Colombia
8. Costa Rica
9. Cuba
10. Ecuador
11. El Salvador
12. Granada
13. Honduras
14. Jamaica
15. Spain
16. Mexico
17. Nicaragua
18. Paraguay
19. Peru
20. República Dominicana
21. Salvador
22. Francia
23. Saint Kitts & Nevis,
24. Uruguay
25. Venezuela

Homologation Requirements: The homologation maintains the same requirements as the revalidation, but the cost of the certified check is US$125.00. In addition, you mus submit Certificate issues by the University of Panama of Degree Validation (for Master and PhD applicants)

Period of each procedure: from three months to one year. Afterwards, you can apply for a professional foreigner visa or use the documents for academic purposes.

Notes on revalidation or homologation for immigration purposes:

On July 14, 2015, the National Migration Service, through a resolution published in the official gazette, clarified that only one (1) of the two procedures was necessary to apply for the professional foreigner visa, i.e., either homologation or revalidation of the degree.

With this decision, the applicant will only have to revalidate his professional degree in case he does not have a degree that is exclusive for Panamanians; and he will not be obliged to homologate it to apply for the residence permit as a professional foreigner.

In other words, if you have a degree in a profession that a foreigner can practice in Panama, because it is not exclusive for Panamanians; you will only need to revalidate your degree. However, if you have an academic degree of a profession exclusive for Panamanians; but you also have an MBA, master's or doctorate degree; in order to apply for the professional alien visa with the MBA, master's or doctorate degree; you must first revalidate the degree and then homologate the MBA, master's or doctorate degree in order to apply for the professional alien visa with the MBA, master's or doctorate degree.

Example: A foreigner wishes to apply for a visa for professional countries. He has an engineering degree, a profession exclusively for Panamanians, but has an MBA. He/she must:

1. Perform the revalidation or exemption of revalidation of the engineering degree.
2. Perform the homologation of the MBA degree to apply for the residency as a foreign professional with the MBA.

Final Annotations

1. To apply for a resident permit as a professional foreigner, you must apply only for the revalidation of your professional degree before the University of Panama, or before the Technological University of Panama through the procedure called revalidation or waiver of revalidation, as the case may be.
2. If the degree to revalidate is not within those imparted by the university, the University of Panama may suggest taking additional subjects so that the revalidation can be oriented towards another career.
3. To apply for the professional foreigner visa, you must verify that the career is not reserved only for Panamanians. You can check if your careers are on the list of exclusive careers for Panamanians here: https://www.kerycruz.com/en/profesional-worker-visa
4. Master and PhD degrees or PhD degrees are homologated.
5. Authentication refers to documents authenticated by the Panamanian diplomatic consular authorities accredited in the country of origin and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama.
6. The documents issued in another language must be translated into Spanish by an authorized public translator.
7. All documents are presented on letterhead that will be purchased from the General Secretariat, Teacher Registration Section of the University of Panamá.
8. The amount paid will not be refunded.
9. In case you have an Engineer's degree, for example, which is exclusively for Panamanians but you have an MBA, you must perform the exoneration or revalidation of that degree first and then carry out the homologation of the MBA degree to apply to the residence through a foreign professional visa with the MBA.

For more information contact us: lill@kerycruz.com