About PanamaJackie

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

HR/Relo
Professional:

Help Manage Expat Programs for My Company

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: SO Whats the deal:

as a tourist, you can stay in Panama 90 days if you are driving 5 months max if not driving then you need to leave for at least 30 days before you can come back

Panama: Thinking about going to Cuba:

Great report about Cuba. Some friends in Panama went to Cuba recently and reported the same thing. Sad situation!

Global Expat Forum: Best Tropical Beach to Raise a Family In?:

PANAMA sounds like your ideal destination! You'd like Bocas Del Toro on the Caribbean side or the Gorgona and San Carlos areas on the Pacific side. You will pay no taxes in Panama unless you sell a product or service in Panama. An online business is ideal. You'll be able to live well below your $3k budget. Health care is excellent and super affordable. Panamanians and expats are super friendly.

Panama: Advise and Info Welcome:

Rents for a 2 bedroom range from $400 a month to $4000 a month depending on where you want to live. But before you make the move, you need to understand that you can't live in Panama unless you get a residency Visa. You will not qualify for a pensionado Visa because immigration will not consider SSDI a lifetime income. That means you'll need to get the Friendly Nations Visa which cost about $1050 more plus you'll need to open a Panama bank account with a minimum deposit of $5,000 plus either set up a corporation, get a job offer, or buy a property worth at least $100,000. It's amazing how many people are getting on disability insurance then wanting to move to Panama.

Panama: Visiting 21-27 March:

Are you talking about the Grecia in Costa Rica? Or Panama?

Panama: Starting a business in David:

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.

Panama: How and Where to Open Panamian Bank Account While Visiting Panama:

Most banks in Panama will not open an account if you do not have a Visa. But some will! Every month I help 4-5 people/couples who do not have a Visa open a bank account in Panama in about 1 hour. (they come on my panama relocation tour) To open most bank accounts in Panama, you do need to have a bank reference letter from your current bank. Some banks require 2 bank reference letters. Most banks want to see the last two years of tax returns or the transcript from IRS that the return was filed and taxes were paid. And there is a lengthy questionnaire. To add someone to an account, banks will want all this information on the person you are adding too. A savings account is better. You'll get a debit card and online banking access PLUS you'll earn a good interest of 1.5 to 2.5% depending on the bank. Only a few banks have online banking in English and Spanish.

Panama: Bringing motorcycle:

Sorry, I don't have answers to all your questions about getting your boxes out while the motorcycle is processed. Your international mover will be able to answer your question. It is a major hassle to get a bike or car titled for Panama. Here is an article about someone who brought in an older motocycle. https://panamarelocationtours.com/importing-a-motorcycle-in-to-panama

Panama: New changes to length of stay:

I just got an update from my immigration attorney yesterday. Panama will allow not more than two times in and out of Panama then they expect people to get a residency Visa. But if the person leaves Panama with unpaid traffic tickets, they will not let them back in until these are paid. Currently, I would not advise anyone attempt to do a border hop. In Chirqui province, there are check points set up with the police checking passports stamps. If people have overstayed their tourist status, or driven in Panama more than 90 days, they are impounding cars and issuing a $200 ticket. I have heard there are these check points throughout the country. Panama is a fantastic place to live but if you want to live here, you will need to get a residency Visa like the Pensionado Visa or Friendly Nations Visa. And get a Panama driver's license. The process is simple for both. Once you get the residency Visa and Panama driver's license, you will never need to worry about a border hop again.

Panama: Gated Comunities:

I don't think they have built anything in Coco Beach yet. They are just now working on getting roads in. There are many other gated communities which are already built with all amenities in place.

Date Joined:

10/26/2014

Total Posts:

108

Posts/Day:

0.12