There are several international schools in David so it's a great place to relocate to with children.

It's HOT HOT HOT in David. Be prepared for high electric bills.

Before you jump at the thought of starting a diesel mechanic business in David, and putting your daughter in school in Panama, you need to visit Panama.

You need to check out the schools before you just move to Panama.

You need to determine how many diesel mechanics there are already in David and if there is a need for another one. I know there are many diesel mechanics there already.

Perhaps some other location in Panama has a bigger need for diesel mechanics. You won't know until you check it out. Conception, Bugaba or Santiago may be a better location for your business (less competition)

Do you know Spanish? You'll need to learn Spanish to be in this kind of business or you'll have to hire a bi-lingual manager for your shop.

To work in Panama, you will need a work permit. You can get that with the Friendly Nations Visa but it will take about 5 months to get the work permit after you start the Visa process. Your wife and daughter will also need to get a Visa to live in Panama.

You'll need to get a RUC (tax ID number) for your business and a business bank account. Of course, you'll need to hire a Panama accountant to keep you compliant with paying taxes. There are several good acountants in David.

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There are several international schools in David so it would be a good place for your daughter.

But before you decide to set up shop in David, you need to visit Panama to determine if there is a need for another diesel mechanic in David. Bugaba, Conception or Santiago may be a better location with less competition.

Do you speak Spanish? You'll need to learn or hire a bi-lingual manager for your shop.

To work in Panama, you'll need a work permit. You can get that with a Friendly Nations Visa. But it will take about 5 months to get the work permit. Your wife and daughter will also need a Visa.

You'll need to set up a corporation, get a RUC number ( tax id) and set up a business bank account. You'll also need to hire a Panamanian accountant to keep you compliant with paying taxes.

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There is a need for good diesel mechanics here. You won't make what you make in Austrailia but you can make a decent living here. I would suggest locating up around Dloega or El Frances, which is about 15 minutes up the mountain from David and closer to the large gringo community of Boquete. The weather is also cooler than David which is hot! El frances also has a very good reasonably priced International School for your daughter. It would also be a good idea to make a 3 or 4 week trip here in advance to familiarize you self with the area. PM me I can can give you some contacts.

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00abuse

You can apply for a friendly nations visa for your family which will require setting up a corporation and allow you to receive a work permit.

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00abuse

Thank you for your response. We are deciding to visit later in the year for a couple of weeks. As for the visa requirements, is it advisable to work through an immigration lawyer or to do it yourself? We will prefer to rent for a year, is rentals available in this area? We currently live up in the tropics of Australia. (very hot and humid ) but Australia is becoming very un-affordable to live in. We are both in our late forties and want to make a move sooner than later. We have done a lot of research and Panama seems to be the place to go. What advice could you give us on making the move over? Sell everything or ship a container? Sell the cars and buy in Panama? What are your recommendations?

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00abuse

why do you want to leave australia?
other people try to get in there and you want out? :-)

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00abuse

The cost of living is very high. Housing has become unaffordable.,energy bills are sky high. Private schools are beyond expensive and the public schools are terrible. Don't let anyone tell you any different. I want to leave for the same reasons people are leaving the USA.

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00abuse

Hello
To answer your specific questions:
-Obtaining visas is not a DIY project. By law a Panamanian lawyer must file for you.
-Opinion is divided about bringing a container or starting from scratch. You'll have to do your own cost/benefit analysis. Be aware that an immigration visa allows you to bring $10,000 of used personal goods duty and tax free.
-Most will tell you not to bring a vehicle. Importation is costly, and parts might be not available for your make/model. Vehicles are readily available in Panama at reasonable prices.

Are you aware there is a search function on the forum? Answers to many questions can be found by using it.

Here is my 2 cents on your situation:
-A 2 week trip won't give you enough time to form a decision about such an important move.
-Spanish language skills are essential for running a service business.
-Budgets are very personal. For me as a Canadian COL is a about 25% less, with most of the savings in services due to low salaries and wages. You'll be in a service business, and will be here during the 20 highest-earning years of your life. That would give me pause for thought.
-If your child would be interested in higher education, the options in Panama are not good, so that would be a huge expense.

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00abuse

One correction on the above "Be aware that an immigration visa allows you to bring $10,000 of used personal goods duty and tax free."

The pensionado visa allows you to bring in goods duty free but the friendly nations visa does not, or at least didn't four years ago...

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00abuse

@StanleySankey
I used to think as you did that the $10,000 exemption is just for pensionados, but it has been extended to Friendly Nations visa holders as well.

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00abuse

That is good news, if only it was retroactive. LOL

Also, when you fly in to Tocumen you used to be able to declare up tp $2000 worth of personal goods duty free, with some limitations.

I would presume that is the same if you drive in from Costa Rica. Then again that was years ago and they seem to change the rules weekly...

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Gert & wilma
I would try to spend a minimum of 3 weeks and better to spend 4-6 weeks if you are planning to start a business. You really need to spend some time researching , parts availability, machine shops, tools, etc. which is what your business will be reliant on. Also the cost of renting a shop to work that is accessible to your customers. The vast majority of the pickups, SUV's, van's and of course larger trucks are diesel powered mostly by the same Japanese companies that build for Australia. As far as what to bring, good quality furniture here is hard to find and expensive and tools, tools, tools. Good quality tools here are very hard to find and very expensive. Machining is also hard to find here and often done poorly. I you have the ability to do your own I would look into bringing some used equipment with you. Vehicles you are much better off purchasing here. Here is a link to the International Academy in El Frances http://www.aib.edu.pa/web/#primary

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Your diesel tools are heavy, I would think that bringing a container or half container would be best. Make sure you use a shipper/broker who is widely recommended!!!

I have a business. Your lawyer, (again widely recommended) will first setup a corp. then apply for your visa. I know its not really legal, but I am not seeing the work permit issue being enforced if you have your FNV. I think you can take your time on that...

There is a shortage of good mechanics here because the level of training and work attitude is not good. That is both good (because there will be lots of demand but bad news because its hard to find good people) Its taken me 3 years to have all great Panamanian workers.

Start learning Spanish now-its harder than I thought. And are you catching the theme about getting recommendations??? There are good people here but the legal system does not flush out the bad ones. And learn the (complex) labor laws, get contracts on everyone you hire. Running a biz here is not for the faint hearted but I suppose that is true everywhere. Have you thought about going to work for a good shop first before opening your biz? That would give you time to get your personal affairs in order before beginning the huge task of opening a biz.

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