Panama: immigration

How many refugees are in Panama?

Panama hosted 2,694 refugees and 4,129 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR refugee population statistics. At the end of 2024 there were 2,658 refugees and 8,143 asylum seekers. UNHCR also counts 57,286 other people in need of international protection in 2025.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided. The National Migration Service handles visas, residence permits and migration control, and INEC publishes monthly figures on international passenger movements. The number of asylum seekers roughly halved during 2025.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee population statistics

How many migrants cross the Darién Gap?

3,091 migrants crossed irregularly into Panama from Colombia through the Darién in 2025, according to the National Migration Service. That compares with 302,203 in 2024. In 2025, 2,229 crossed in January and fewer than 100 a month from April.

In 2024 Venezuelans made up 209,897 of the crossings. In 2025 the largest groups were from South America (1,832), Asia (662) and Africa (494), with 1,412 Venezuelans. 487 of the 2025 migrants were children. The SNM publishes the figures on its statistics page.

Official sources: National Migration Service · 302,203 in 2024 · statistics page

How many residence permits does Panama grant?

Panama's National Migration Service decided 35,017 residence permit applications in 2025, approving 33,262 (95%) and refusing 1,755, according to its residence permit statistics for 2025. 13,149 permanent residence permits, 6,313 temporary permits and 11,633 provisional permits were approved.

The rest were extensions of existing permits. The figures are preliminary to 31 December 2025. The SNM also reports 1,133 deportations and expulsions in 2025, of which 906 were deportations.

Official sources: residence permit statistics for 2025 · deportations and expulsions in 2025

How many people claim asylum in Panama?

1,203 new asylum applications were lodged in Panama in 2025, about the same as the 1,204 of 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. Venezuelans made 412, Colombians 341 and Nicaraguans 225.

In 2025 the authorities recognised 20 refugees and rejected 1,325 claims, while 1,354 were closed, UNHCR reports. Asylum claims are decided by the National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR) of the Ministry of Government.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · UNHCR reports

How many foreign-born people live in Panama?

10.6%: that is the share of people born abroad in Panama for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 4.7% in 2015. Latin America & Caribbean median: 4.8%; Panama is 8th highest of 33. Worldwide: 61st of 193.

How many people move to Panama each year?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Panama was 6,151 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 11,130; its low point was 2005, at 3,843. Latin America & Caribbean median: -967; Panama is 4th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 48th highest.

How many refugees does Panama host?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Panama at 2,694 in 2025. The peak was 17,650 in 2013 and the low 1,717 in 2005. It is 10th highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1,306. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.

How many refugees come from Panama?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Panama was 375 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 21st highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 710. Worldwide: 120th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Panama?

0.7% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Panama for 2025, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.6% of GDP (2024) to 1.6% of GDP (2007). It is 23rd highest of 27 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 3.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 89th of 127.