Guide · Immigration and citizenship
Getting Your Foreign Degree Recognized in Panama
How to get a foreign university degree recognized in Panama: revalidation and graduate degree recognition at the University of Panama, costs and timelines.
- Authority
- University of Panama
- Graduate degree (foreigners)
- USD 500
- Duration
- 60 business days
- Updated
On this page
In short
A foreign university degree is not automatically valid in Panama. Bachelor's degrees and technical degrees are revalidated (reválida) and graduate degrees are recognized (homologación), in both cases before the General Secretariat of the University of Panama. If your profession is regulated, you then need a license (idoneidad) from the relevant professional board, and some professions are reserved for Panamanians.
Why do you need your degree recognized?
- To practice a regulated profession in Panama, which also requires a license from its professional board.
- For the foreign professional residency, which Immigration grants to professionals whose profession is not reserved for Panamanians and which requires certification of the recognition.
- To prove your qualifications to employers or to continue studying in Panama.
Revalidation or recognition?
- Revalidation (reválida): for bachelor's degrees and technical degrees obtained abroad. The University of Panama publishes a cost of USD 125 for Panamanians; confirm the procedure and cost for foreigners with the General Secretariat.
- Recognition (homologación): for graduate degrees (specializations, master's degrees and doctorates). For foreigners it costs USD 500 and also requires an equivalency certificate from the University of Panama.
- Both take about 60 business days.
For engineering and technology degrees, the Technological University of Panama also has its own revalidation procedure.
What documents are required?
- A cover letter addressed to the General Secretariat of the University of Panama, with your details and the degree you want validated, and the University's form.
- Your diploma, apostilled or legalized by the Panamanian consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Your academic transcript, apostilled or legalized.
- Your university's curriculum and course syllabi, apostilled or legalized.
- Your passport or birth certificate proving your nationality, also legalized.
- For a graduate degree: the thesis, if the master's degree is academic, and the bachelor's degree or its revalidation if the profession requires it.
- Any thesis, research or document that helps assess your training.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in Panama once my degree is recognized?
Not necessarily. Besides residency you need a work permit and, if your profession is regulated, a license from the professional board. Some professions are reserved for Panamanians (see working in Panama).
Which professions are reserved for Panamanians?
The Constitution and several laws reserve certain professions for Panamanians. Check whether yours is one of them before you start the recognition process.
Do I need my degree recognized for the Friendly Nations Visa?
No: that residency is based on an employment contract or an investment. Recognition is needed for the foreign professional residency and to practice regulated professions (see Friendly Nations Visa).
How long does it take?
About 60 business days from when the file is complete, not counting the time to gather and apostille the documents in your home country.