How can i work in panama

Nothing is impossible in this world, and if your dream is to live and work in Panama, you need to go ahead with that dream. You only live once.

Below is a selection of resources for searching for employment opportunities as a foreigner in Panama. With the sites below, you can expect to get a 0. Nevertheless, I encourage you to give these sites a try as you never know what you will come up with or what connections you can make from a simple e-mail or application.

Teaching English will be your easiest option if you are a native English speaker that is. All of the sites below are pretty similar and have a massive amount of teaching English job options.

Browse through each of the sites for any Panamanian job opportunities. Also, be sure to check out this cool table from the International TEFL academy that shows how much money teachers can expect to make in various countries around the world.

Here is the documentation required for a Panama Work Permit Application:. In conclusion, there are numerous ways to obtain work permits in Panama.

You must hire a reliable immigration and labor law lawyer when applying for a Panama work permit after obtaining an immigration visa. Offshore Trust Or Panama Foundation?

Preparing For Panama Residency. Then make sure to check out our Bookstore Instant Download - Print off for your private library before the government demands we take these down! The Expat Life in Corozal, Belize. Buying Property in Metro Vancouver, B.

Canada for Non-Residents. Is it easy to open an offshore bank account? Is that a Banana? Share label label label label label label label. Employment Options In Panama Panama has become popular with foreigners looking for new opportunities in a country with a lower cost of living, a warm climate, two oceans with lots of islands and beaches, and plenty of room to build a dream home. Dream of living with your toes in the sand and seashells in your hand?

Take a virtual look into what you can expect when visiting or living on a Caribbean Island off the coast of Belize.

Grab a fruity drink and join us as we introduce you to the expat and adventure tourist lifestyle that awaits you on Ambergris Caye through the lens of those who have done it! Register for the live event taking place October 26th 5 pm ET. Fine dining and ethnic cuisine is abundant, along with several giant shopping malls, a couple of boat harbors, nearby golf, museums and theatre.

Many expats I know in the city use public transportation to get around. There are a number of good international schools in the area and supermarkets with everything from organic to kosher. Minimal culture shock should be experienced moving here.

The real estate will be mostly condos, with a few beautiful single-family homes in neighborhoods like San Francisco. A couple of the more popular expat areas are El Congrejo, where prices are slightly less, and Casco Viejo, where prices have sky-rocketed over the past few years.

It will cost considerably more to live in this eclectic Historic—Spanish part of town. Many of the crumbling old buildings have been purchased and refurbished, turning the area into an art and cultural center and popular tourist destination. There has been tremendous growth throughout Panama with new neighborhoods, new roads, new hospitals, airport expansions and much more. This growth is expected to continue in Panama. The new Panama Canal expansion will be a boost to the already robust economy, starting in Tourism is a focus of the new administration and this will only help draw more tourists to the country.

Playa Coronado was one of the first Pacific Coast beaches to develop a large expat community. Only about an hour from Panama City, over the Bridge of the Americas, it is close enough to visit the city to attend an occasional event.

Coronado is a gated community at the beach with an international school and plenty of nearby shopping and dining. Nothing near the scale of Panama City, but enough to keep one satisfied. There is golfing and a nice beach to walk, swim, or go surfing. Prices in Coronado are not low, unless you compare them to Malibu, California or Hawaii.

A nice home can easily be half a million dollars or more. There are several other beach areas expanding out from Coronado. They tend to get a little less costly as you move away from Coronado and the beach. Beachfront will cost you, but a few blocks inland you might find a deal. There are several large condo developments popping up along this Pacific stretch of coastline.

Because of its higher elevation, El Valle has a pleasant year round climate. It is about a 2 hour drive from Panama City. El Valle is actually a popular second home location for wealthy Panamanians from Panama City, who go here occasionally to escape the heat of the city. There are beautiful homes in this upscale area, and you will find resorts, spas and fine dining as well. Weekends can be a little busy with visitors.

It is one of the few homes of the endangered Golden Frog. There are numerous hiking trails and waterfalls where you can take a dip if you desire. Even replenish your soul in a natural thermal hot spring! It is a luxury lifestyle in a resort-type setting. Pedasi is a beach town with a growing expat population in recent years. Popular activities revolve around the beach — surfing, kite surfing, fishing.

There are decent restaurants and small hotels in Pedasi, as it is more of a beach retirement and tourist town. Otherwise, there is not a lot in the way of amenities. They have occasional issues with water, so a catchment and storage tank might be a good idea here.

The atmosphere is laid back. Prices are still low for a beach town, which has helped to draw more expats to the region. There is no nearby private school or hospital. It is more than 5 hours to Panama City and about 2 hours from Pedasi to Chitre where all modern conveniences are available. Pedasi has become more expensive in recent years.

Colonial records indicate that there was a village here as early as Today, it is one of the most developed cities in Panama. This is one of the driest regions in Panama and the closest beach, Playa Agallito, is about 15 minutes from town. The beaches along this stretch of the peninsula are known for birdwatching and nature preserves.

The city is also the cultural and historic capital of the region. It is a very lively place during the yearly carnivals! Some of the best artisan clay pottery is found in the area and pieces dating back to BC can be seen in the local Herrera Museum. Chitre is an up and coming area of Panama and in the past year has seen some major developments in terms of shopping centers, banks, another hospital, malls and other large developments.

The pace has really started to pick up! Welcome to the third largest city in Panama! You can find just about anything in this town, including traffic reminiscent of Panama City! There always seem to be a flurry of activity in David. There are popular fast food restaurants, like Burger King, Pizza Hut, and McDonalds, which feel like a treat if you only go once every few months!

David is home to a small international airport and is a hub for national flights, as well as Costa Rica, which has a border only one hour away. There is also a small marina on the coast. David is one of the hottest cities in the country, but fortunately it is only a 30 minute drive up the road to Boquete if you want to escape the heat!

In David, there is a large expat community spread out throughout the city and suburbs. Some of the best medical facilities in Panama are in David, as well as access to an International School about 15 minutes out of town. There are hotels, shopping including a PriceMart; the Costco equivalent in Panama , dining, cultural activities and a large MultiPlex Theatre, where you can see movies in English, dubbed in Spanish, or with sub-titles.

English is spoken in many establishments in David today. Ahhh, Boquete! Home of the largest expat community in all of Panama, and it only takes one visit to understand why. The high altitude and pleasant year round weather are only a small part of the picture.

There is a weekly Market, where everyone has a chance to catch up on current events. Located just 30 minutes up the mountain from David, you are close to major hospitals, schools, and shopping. Ten years ago, Boquete was a sleepy little town where retirees began to come for the climate and cheap real estate. Today, low prices are a lot harder to find in the area. Boquete is now considered a top retirement destination and is priced accordingly. Even rentals are difficult to come by these days.

There are many social events including the annual Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival. Volcan is the place to get in on a location that many say reminds them of Boquete 10 years ago.

Volcan is at a similar altitude to Boquete with pleasant weather and an abundance of natural beauty. Most of the produce in Panama is grown in the region around Volcan and Cerro Punta. There are also two new supermarkets that are modern with a great variety of products. Volcan offers a peaceful, country lifestyle that is only a short drive away from the conveniences of the city, hospitals, and schools. Expats have recently discovered Volcan so it will not be long before there are new restaurants and cultural activities.

Prices are in a wide range here, but you can find very good deals if you take the time to research the area. Bocas is unique!

Take a plane from Panama City to the main island, or drive 3 hours over the mountain from David to get to Bocas del Toro. Bocas is a water town. Most of the people and activities are located on one of the islands that make up the archipelago with the capital, Bocas Town, being on the island of Colon not to be confused with the city at the Panama Canal!

There is a strong tourism market here that revolves around beach, nature, and boating activities. It is a popular backpacker destination so there are a number of hostels and clubs in the main towns.

There is a Caribbean influence in the architecture and laid back attitude of life in Bocas, where you can shop at an organic market in the morning and take yoga classes in the afternoon. However, one drawback is that it is very isolated from the rest of Panama. There is a small hospital and schools, but prices are a bit higher here since everything has to be shipped in. Real estate has a big range in price so you have to search for a deal. There is also a lot of R. Extra due diligence is needed when purchasing property in this area.

Santiago is actually a large city by Panama standards. Most people driving across the country on the Pan American Highway will stop in Santiago, which is right on the main highway halfway between David and Panama City, to get a bite to eat or buy souvenirs at the numerous vendors and local handicraft shops. Over the past few years, I have been watching the major construction projects and growth happening in this lesser known expat destination.

There are a number of good restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets in town. The Santiago Mall, a mega shopping complex, recently opened with dozens of stores and dining choices. This is a convenient and central location for the country of Panama, and you can find affordable housing in and around the town. It is a short drive up to the cool mountains of Santa Fe or down to the beaches of Santa Catalina and out to the Marine Reserve on Coiba Island for a weekend retreat.

There has been a lot of hype in recent years about this tiny mountain town, a two hour drive along a scenic winding road above Santiago. The Veraguas Province is the only one in Panama that borders both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and there is talk of plans to build a road across the country here, that would pass right through Santa Fe.

This has caused a few speculators to invest in land in the area. Parcels can still be found at very low prices, but there are also land re-sales that are overpriced. Brush up on your Spanish too, since there are few expats here.

The climate and natural surroundings are idyllic in Santa Fe. There are beautiful mountain vistas, streams and waterfalls to create a backdrop for a lovely home. A small self-sufficient farm would be a good option here. This is a boots-on-the-ground ask the locals kind of town. Although the very basic necessities, local fonda-type restaurants and small convenience stores are in town, living here will mean an occasional trek down the mountain for supplies.

Bugaba is the hub of the farming and agricultural lowlands in Chiriqui. If you are a fan of horses and rodeos, this could be a perfect location to investigate further. This puts good hospitals and additional modern conveniences only a short drive away. There are not a large number of expats in the area, so prices are still very affordable.

Maybe less, if you take the time to shop around. A nice, comfortable lifestyle can be had in Bugaba and it is not a far drive for an occasional visit to Costa Rica, Volcan, David, or the nearby beaches. A short trek up the hills near Bugaba, the weather is cooler and a few expats have discovered a nice rural community called Boqueron.

Country living that is not more than 30 minutes to town make this location a nice option to consider today. Get our list of trusted real estate contacts in Panama. Anyone can own property in Panama. Foreigners have the same property rights as Panamanians. You do not have to be a resident of Panama; you can even purchase real estate as a tourist not living in Panama.

The challenge is finding a property you like and paying a fair price for it. There is not currently a well-functioning real estate listing service in Panama. That means there is no central location to find real estate or compare sales in a given area to see if a price is in line with the neighborhood. They may have reliable area information to share with you. However, you may miss out on seeing properties that are not listed with his company or any realtor. You should not limit yourself to a single realtor or search method for this reason.

Make sure you check local online and periodical classified sections in the area you are searching. Walk the neighborhoods you are interested in and talk to people. Whether you find a property you like on your own or with the assistance of a realtor, you will need to hire an attorney to do the title search and draw up the paperwork for the sale.

There are 2 forms of property ownership in Panama with huge differences between them. This is the most secure form of ownership. The second ownership method is called Right of Possession , or simply R. Often, it is possible to go through a tedious legal process and gain title to one of these pieces of property. There is a mitigated risk in R. Quite a lot of beachfront property is not titled. Please make sure you talk with an expert in this kind of ownership before moving forward with a purchase!

An additional type of real estate transaction in Panama involves real estate that is held in a Panama Corporation. This is a very popular method of holding property by expats living in Panama because it offers estate planning and asset protection benefits.

The property may be titled or R. Property taxes are generally low in Panama and there have been many incentives given for new home construction, including waiving property taxes for up to 20 years. Sometimes, if you purchase a relatively new home, it may still have years left that are property tax free.

Be sure to ask! Property Assessors are not currently going out and evaluating property values in Panama. This can benefit purchasers of real estate held in a corporation. Prices of real estate in Panama are almost arbitrary. Also, the more expats that live in an area, the higher the overall price of property will be in that area. Before you make the leap and purchase a home in Panama, I strongly suggest that you try the area out by renting for at least 6 months to see if this is an area you will be happy living in.

The rental process is similar to back home, just make sure that everything included in the home is listed on the lease agreement, like stove, refrigerator and other appliances. I do not advise that you buy real estate until you have a permanent residency Visa.

On my Panama Relocation Tour , we drive by and even visit a wide variety of homes in different areas of the country so you can get a feel for what is available and the price ranges. Wondering which banks we recommend in Panama? The official currency in Panama is the Balboa. The US dollar is accepted legal currency in Panama, making it easy to do business here. Balboa coins circulate alongside US dollars at an exchange rate of However, because Panama has its own currency, it is not forced to rely on the international valuation of the U.

Dollar, should a financial crisis occur. Another positive point to be aware of is that Panama has no central bank, which creates a completely market-driven money supply. The country must buy or obtain their dollars by producing or exporting real goods or services; it cannot create money out of thin air. The country has made it relatively easy for you to open a bank account here as an expat.

There are now over international banks in Panama, making it one of the largest banking sectors in the world. There is a large International Airport in Panama City that handles flights from all over the world. A smaller international Airport in David and a new one in Rio Hato, have plans to begin adding more international flights.

Taxi Service is available throughout Panama, even in small rural towns. The cabs do not have meters to calculate the fare. The standard rates are loosely followed and obvious tourists are often quoted a higher fare. Always negotiate and agree on the fare before you get in the taxi. To hail a taxi, put your arm out, palm down, and wave down toward the curb. Uber is available in Panama City. Bus service is available to almost anywhere in Panama. Around the city, fares are about 35 cents.

The bus terminal at Albrook has buses going to most towns in the country. There is also a modern Metro Train that runs from one end of Panama City to the other for 35 cents each trip. A second and third phase of the line are going to be added.

In Bocas del Toro, there are water taxi boats pangas that can be hailed like a cab to take you to the various islands. Fees are pretty standard for most places and ask ahead to see what the typical fare is to your desired destination. The most popular ways that you will see people getting around in town are:.

Cars are abundant in the cities and rules of the road are an interesting concept in Panama. Panama City is plagued by unmarked streets, busy intersections with no traffic control, pedestrian traffic and huge traffic jams during rush hours. Horn honking is a method of communication rather than a rude gesture, so get used to it.

Although the basic rules are the same as they are in North America, they are not always adhered to here. All drivers are required to wear seat belts, hold auto insurance and adhere to posted speed limits remember that they are posted in Kilometers per Hour!

Drivers use the right side of the road, and traffic signals and most of the road signs are standardized. Rental cars from major international agencies are available at the airports and in the larger cities. The schools also tend to be over crowded so students are placed in either a morning or afternoon session to make room. For these reasons, many foreigners enroll their children into private international schools in Panama. There a many good private schools to choose from for expats relocating here.

Large family discounts are usually available. Every school is closed during Carnival, Easter, and Christmas. There are even language based schools such as a Japanese school, a French school, several Chinese schools, and English schools. Most private schools are located in areas with large expat communities like Panama City, Coronado, and Boquete. If you need to fund your new life in Panama or just want to earn a little extra money to do some traveling or other fun things, there are options available for you.

That includes your own business. They hire a Panamanian or someone who has a work permit to sell their products. Some other visas have an option to get a work permit in Panama, though getting a job can be tricky. First of all you need to be aware of a few things about employment in Panama.