巴拿马人来华签证如何办理？How do Panamanian apply for a visa to China?

中巴友谊，跨越太平洋的温暖握手

你可能知道巴拿马运河，但你或许不知道，这条连接大西洋与太平洋的“世界桥梁”，也悄悄连接着中国与巴拿马的深厚情谊。

早在19世纪中叶，就有成千上万的华工远渡重洋，参与修建巴拿马铁路。他们不仅留下了汗水，也播下了友谊的种子。如今，巴拿马拥有中美洲最大的华人社区，华人在这里扎根、发展，成为当地社会不可或缺的一部分。

2017年，中巴正式建交，开启了两国关系的新篇章。虽然只有短短7年，但两国合作硕果累累：中国是巴拿马运河的第二大用户，是科隆自贸区的最大商品供应国；而巴拿马，则是拉美首个与中国签署“一带一路”合作文件的国家。

如今，40多家中资企业在巴拿马落地生根，20家更将区域总部设在这里。两国直航开通、文化交流频繁、孔子学院落地、“汉语热”悄然兴起……中巴人民的心，正越走越近。

China-Panama Friendship: A Warm Handshake Across the Pacific

You may know the Panama Canal, but you might not realize that this “bridge of the world” linking the Atlantic and Pacific also quietly connects the deep friendship between China and Panama. As early as the mid-19th century, thousands of Chinese laborers crossed the ocean to help build the Panama Railroad. They left behind not only sweat but also the seeds of friendship. Today, Panama hosts the largest Chinese community in Central America; Chinese descendants have rooted themselves here, thrived, and become an indispensable part of local society.

In 2017, China and Panama established formal diplomatic ties, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. In just seven short years, the two countries have reaped rich fruits of cooperation: China is the second-largest user of the Panama Canal and the top supplier of goods to the Colón Free Trade Zone, while Panama became the first Latin American nation to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China.

Now, more than 40 Chinese-funded enterprises have taken root in Panama, with 20 setting up their regional headquarters here. Direct flights connect the two nations, cultural exchanges flourish, a Confucius Institute has been established, and enthusiasm for learning Chinese is quietly rising… The hearts of the Chinese and Panamanian peoples are drawing ever closer.

一、政策东风：大门已为你敞开

1.签证便利

巴拿马人可凭《中拉产能合作》框架下的“绿色通道”，优先获得Z字（工作）签证；

2.试点自贸区“先上岗、后办证”

海南、深圳前海对物流、金融、IT三大行业允许“用人承诺制”——用人单位出具聘用合同即可在线先办工作类居留许可，体检、学历认证可后置30天补齐。

3.税负友好

在华居住不满183天、工资由境外支付部分可免个税；粤港澳大湾区给予15%封顶的优惠税率，与巴拿马属地税制形成“双重减负”。

4.家属同享

配偶与未成年子女可同步申请S1随居签证，免费入读公立学校，并在京沪广申请“外国人医保。

二、市场蓝海：这些赛道正在招人

1.航运物流

中国连续6年位居巴拿马运河第二大用户；中远海运、招商港口在科隆集装箱码头、巴拿马港口均有股份，需要大量懂西班牙语+运河规则的运营、关务、客服人才；

2.农产品回运贸易

牛肉、咖啡、龙虾输华关税已降至0–5%。巴拿马对华牛肉出口额同比翻3倍，深圳、义乌进口商常年招聘“拉美直采经理”；

3.数字游民服务

深圳、杭州正打造“跨境直播基地”，急需会西英双语的拉美主播与供应链选品经理，远程也可接单。

4.文化与语言教育

北京语言大学、广东外语外贸大学连续3年公开招聘西语外教；

三、自带光环：巴拿马人的三张王牌

1.语言+运河双重名片

西语为母语、英语普及率高，天然覆盖5亿拉美市场；熟悉运河、保税港和自贸区法规，是任何想做“美洲—中国”航线的企业稀缺资产。

2.文化混血，适配力强

巴拿马人兼具拉美热情与美式效率，且国内华人占比约7%，对中国文化隔阂小，入职后跨文化磨合成本低。

3.教育成本优势

巴拿马大学、理工大学IT与海洋工程专业受美国ABET认证，学历可直接通过中国教育部认证，无需额外考试；

I. Policy Tailwinds – The Door Is Already Open

1.Visa Convenience

Panamanians enjoy a “green lane” under the China–Latin America Industrial Capacity Cooperation framework and are given priority when applying for a Z (work) visa.

2.Pilot FTZ: “Start Work First, Permit Later”

In Hainan and Shenzhen’s Qianhai zone, logistics, finance and IT companies can use a “hire-first” commitment system: an employment contract alone lets the employer apply online for a work-type residence permit; medical check and degree authentication can be submitted up to 30 days later.

3.Tax-Friendly Rules

Stay in China fewer than 183 days and the portion of salary paid from outside China is exempt from individual income tax. In the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area a flat 15 % preferential rate applies, creating a “double tax relief” with Panama’s territorial system.

4.Family Benefits

Spouses and minor children can obtain an S1 dependent visa at the same time, attend public schools tuition-free and enroll in the “foreigner medical insurance” scheme available in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

II. Blue-Ocean Markets – These Sectors Are Hiring Now

1.Shipping & Logistics

China has been the Panama Canal’s second-largest user for six straight years. COSCO Shipping and China Merchants Ports hold stakes in Colón Container Terminal and Panama Ports; they constantly need Spanish-speaking operations, customs and customer-service staff who know Canal regulations.

2.Farm-Product Back-Trade

Import tariffs on beef, coffee and lobster have fallen to 0–5 %. Panama’s beef exports to China tripled year-on-year in 2023; importers in Shenzhen and Yiwu recruit “LatAm sourcing managers” all year.

3.Digital-Nomad Services

Shenzhen and Hangzhou are building “cross-border live-streaming hubs” and urgently want bilingual Spanish/English LatAm hosts and supply-chain selectors; remote contracts are accepted.

4.Culture & Language Education

Beijing Language and Culture University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies have run public Spanish-teacher adverts for three consecutive years.

III. Built-In Advantages – Three Trump Cards

1.Panamanians Hold

Dual Calling Card: Language + Canal Expertise

Native Spanish and high English proficiency give natural access to the 500 million-strong Latin American market; first-hand knowledge of Canal, free-zone and FTZ rules is a scarce asset for any company planning China–Americas routes.

2.Cultural Hybrid, High Adaptability

Panamanians combine Latin warmth with U.S.-style efficiency, and ethnic Chinese make up roughly 7 % of the population, so the cultural gap with China is small and cross-cultural onboarding costs are low.

3.Education Cost Edge

IT and ocean-engineering programs at the University of Panama and the Technological University are ABET-accredited in the U.S.; the degrees are accepted directly by China’s Ministry of Education with no extra examinations.

一、政策利好：签证、入学、实习全线绿灯

1.使馆专场宣讲官方带路

中国驻巴拿马大使馆联合河南大学举办线上招生宣讲，对巴拿马学生一次性讲清申请流程、语言要求、住宿安排，释放明确信号：

2.签证流程再瘦身

凭正式录取通知书即可在北京、上海、广州口岸申请 X1 字签证，最快 4 个工作日取证；

3.学籍管理更灵活

中文“零起点”可先读 1 年预科，通过 HSK4 直接升本科/硕博；

二、企业需求：这些行业正在“抢”西语 + 中国背景的人

1.航运与运河经济

中远海运、招商港口在巴拿马运河两端控股码头，新开“巴拿马—深圳”直航，急需懂运河规则、会西语、了解中国港航系统的运营人才；

2.农产品回运 & 跨境电商

天猫国际、拼多多跨境在招“拉美买手”与“西语直播运营”，要求“中国高校在读+西语母语”，远程可上岗；

3.工程与基建

中国承建的巴拿马地铁二号线、光伏园区陆续进入运维期，需要大批“懂中文、会技术、能跟当地工人沟通”的现场经理与设备调试员；

4.语言教育市场

北京、上海 30 余所国际学校开设“西语第一外语”，外教缺口 500+；

三、奖学金政策：从机票到博士，都有“全免包”

1.中国政府奖学金（CSC）

本科/硕士/博士全覆盖：学费+住宿费+生活费

每年 1 月–3 月向驻巴拿马大使馆递交材料，西班牙语材料无需公证翻译，直接可用；

2.中拉专项奖学金

针对拉美和加勒比学生增设，支持 1 学期～2 年进修或完整学位，往返国际机票全额报销；

I. Policy Boost: Green Light for Visa, Admission & Internship

1.Official Info Session

The Chinese Embassy in Panama and Henan University co-host an online admissions webinar that walks Panamanian students through the entire process—application steps, language requirements, campus housing—sending a clear signal: you’re welcome and we’ll guide you.

2.Slim-Line Visa Procedure

Present your formal admission letter at the ports of Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou and you can obtain an X1 study visa in as little as four working days.

3.Flexible Enrollment Rules

Zero Chinese? No problem. Spend one year in a foundation course, pass HSK-4, and move straight into your bachelor’s, master’s or PhD program.

II. What Employers Want: Industries Hunting for Spanish + China Experience

1.Shipping & Canal Economy

COSCO Shipping and China Merchants Ports own terminals at both ends of the Panama Canal. Their new Panama–Shenzhen direct service urgently needs Spanish-speaking staff who understand canal regulations and China’s port-operating systems.

2.Agri-Imports & Cross-Border E-Commerce

Tmall Global and Pinduoduo Cross-Border are recruiting “LatAm buyers” and “Spanish live-stream hosts.” Requirement: enrolled at a Chinese university + native Spanish. Remote work is fine.

3.Engineering & Infrastructure

China-built Panama Metro Line 2 and several PV parks are moving into O&M. Project owners need bilingual site managers and commissioning engineers who speak Chinese, grasp the technology and can talk to local crews.

4.Language-Education Market

More than 30 international schools in Beijing and Shanghai have made Spanish their first foreign language, leaving 500+ teacher vacancies.

III. Scholarships: Full Ride from Airfare to PhD

1.Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Covers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD: full tuition, dormitory, living allowance (undergrad RMB 2,500/mo, master’s 3,000, PhD 3,500) plus comprehensive medical insurance.

Apply Jan–Mar through the Chinese Embassy in Panama; documents in Spanish are accepted—no notarized translation needed.

2.China–CELAC Special Scholarship

Exclusively for Latin American and Caribbean students. Supports one-semester to two-year exchanges or full degrees, and reimburses the full cost of round-trip international airfare.

（1）签证类型与基础材料

工作签证（Z签证）

核心材料：

有效期6个月以上的护照原件（空白签证页≥3页）。

彩色打印的签证申请表（需在线填写并签字，网址：https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/）。

6个月内白底2寸彩照2张。

中国雇主出具的邀请函原件或传真件。

单位派遣函。

护照首页复印件。

特殊要求：需提供无犯罪记录证明、学历证明及体检证明（部分使领馆可能要求）。

学习签证（X签证）

核心材料：

有效期6个月以上的护照原件。

彩色打印的签证申请表。

6个月内白底2寸彩照2张。

录取通知书原件及《外国留学人员来华签证申请表》（JW201/202表）。

资金担保证明（如银行存款证明）。

注意事项：申请X1签证（长期学习）需在入境后30日内申办居留证件。

商务签证（M签证）

核心材料：

有效期6个月以上的护照原件。

彩色打印的签证申请表。

6个月内白底2寸彩照2张。

中方公司出具的邀请函（需包含经贸活动详情、费用承担方等信息）。

派遣函（需包含申请人信息、职位、出访目的等）。

特殊要求：若非在国籍国申请，需提供合法停留或居留证明。

（2）办理流程

在线填写申请表：登录中国签证在线办理系统（https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/），如实填写并提交申请表。上传符合要求的照片（近期、正面、彩色、免冠）。

递交材料：网上初审通过后，无需预约即可前往中国驻巴拿马大使馆或签证申请中心递交护照及材料。

需留存十指指纹（未满14周岁或超过70周岁人员、持外交护照人员等可免采）。

缴费与等待审批：

缴费标准：普通签证费用因签证类型及有效期而异（如Z签证费用约2435元人民币起，含手续费）。

审批时间：普通4个工作日，加急3个工作日（含递交护照当日）。

领取签证：

审批通过后，凭取证单及缴费凭证领取护照及签证。

（3）注意事项材料真实性：

所有材料需真实、完整，虚假材料将导致拒签或入境受阻。

邀请函要求：邀请函需明确访问目的、时间、停留期、费用承担方等信息，并由邀请人亲笔签名（电子签名无效）。

生物信息采集：除免采指纹人员外，均需到馆采集指纹。

加急服务：加急费约1000元人民币/人，3个工作日出签。

入境后手续：持Z签证或X1签证入境后，需在30日内向拟居留地公安机关申办居留证件。

(1) Visa Type and Basic Materials: 

Core materials for a work visa (Z visa) :

An original passport valid for more than 6 months (with at least 3 blank visa pages). 

Color print visa application form (online fill out and sign, url: https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/). 

Two 2-inch color photos with a white background taken within six months. 

The original invitation letter issued by the Chinese employer or the fax copy. Unit dispatch letter. 

A copy of the first page of the passport. 

Special requirements: A certificate of no criminal record, academic qualifications and a physical examination certificate must be provided (some embassies and consulates may require this). 

Core materials for the study visa (X visa) : 

An original passport valid for more than six months. 

The visa application form printed in color. 

Two 2-inch color photos with a white background taken within six months. 

The original admission notice and the "Visa Application Form for Foreign Students to Study in China" (JW201/202 form). Proof of financial guarantee (such as bank deposit certificate). 

Note: To apply for the X1 visa (long-term study), a residence permit must be applied for within 30 days after entry. 

Core materials for a business visa (M visa) : 

An original passport valid for more than six months. 

The visa application form printed in color. 

Two 2-inch color photos with a white background taken within six months. 

The invitation letter issued by the Chinese company (which should include details of the economic and trade activities, the party bearing the costs, etc.). 

Dispatch letter (which should include the applicant's information, position, purpose of visit, etc.) 

Special requirements: If the application is not made in the country of nationality, a legal proof of stay or residence must be provided. 

(2)fill out the application formonline process: 

login Chinese visa online conduction system (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/), truthfully fill out and submit the application form. Upload photos that meet the requirements (recent, frontal, color, and bareheaded). After the online initial review is passed, you can go to the Chinese Embassy in Panama or the Visa Application center to submit your passport and relevant materials without making an appointment. Fingerprints of all ten fingers must be collected (those under 14 years old or over 70 years old, and those holding diplomatic passports, etc. are exempt from collection). Payment and waiting for approval: Payment standard: The cost of a regular visa varies depending on the type and validity period of the visa (for example, the cost of a Z visa starts from approximately 2,435 RMB, including handling fees). Approval time: Regular 4 working days, expedited 3 working days (including the day of passport submission). After approval, collect your passport and visa with the receipt and payment voucher. 

(3) Notes the Authenticity of Materials: 

All materials must be true and complete. False materials will result in visa rejection or obstruction of entry. Invitation letter requirements: The invitation letter must clearly state the purpose of the visit, time, duration of stay, and the party bearing the expenses, etc., and be signed by the inviter in person (electronic signatures are invalid). Biometric information collection: All individuals except those exempted from fingerprint collection are required to come to the library for fingerprint collection. Express service: The express fee is approximately 1,000 RMB per person, and the visa will be issued within 3 working days. After entry procedures: After entering the country with a Z visa or X1 visa, you need to apply for a residence permit from the public security organ of the intended place of residence within 30 days.

从巴拿马运河到长江，只需一张签证的距离。政策已搭好桥、企业已张开手、奖学金已备好行囊——来华学习、工作或是拥抱更大的梦，现在出发，刚刚好。 iAdelante! 中国见！

From the Panama Canal to the Yangtze River, it’s only a visa away.The policies have built the bridge, companies have opened their doors, and scholarships have packed your bags—come to China to study, work, or chase an even bigger dream. The time to leave is now. ¡Adelante! See you in China!