Refugee Status and Political Asylum in Panama. The National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR) handles asylum claims in Panama. For a US citizen, claiming asylum requires demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution by the US government or entities the government cannot control, which is a high legal threshold. The process begins by submitting a formal request to ONPAR within six months of arriving in Panama. Once the application is admitted for processing, the applicant receives a temporary ID card protecting them from deportation. During the evaluation phase, ONPAR conducts in-depth interviews and gathers evidence. The National Commission for the Protection of Refugees (CONARE) then reviews the file and makes a final determination. If approved, the individual is granted official refugee status. While the application is pending, asylum seekers can apply for a temporary work permit through the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL). After three years of holding recognized refugee status, individuals are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Panama. Legal representation is highly recommended to navigate the complex evidentiary requirements and ONPAR hearings.