Panama is one of those low-profile destinations that often go unnoticed when it comes to relocation. Even though it was considered to be mostly a place for people in their golden age, moving to Panama started gaining a lot of attention with younger audiences as well. With that in mind, here is a complete breakdown of the start-to-finish guide for moving from the United States to Panama!
The demand for Panama real estate extends from 2019 to 2020!
There were many reasons why relocation to Panama was so popular in 2019. None of those reasons lost their edge even during the pandemic.
When talking about moving from the United States to Panama, we can divide this process into a couple of sections:
- Visa requirements
- Work permits
- Types of residency
- Relocation
- How to find your way around Panama once you get there
Visa requirements for moving from the United States to Panama
There are different types of visa you can apply for when moving from the United States to Panama:
- Pensioner visa
- Friendly nations visa
- Reforestation investor visa
- Professional employment visa
- Self-Economic solvency visa
- Business Investor visa
- Visa for parents of a child born in Panama
- Visa for married citizens
All of these visa types are pretty self-explanatory, but you can always reach out to the Embassy of Panama for more information.
Additionally, know that a tourist visa lasts for 30 days and can be extended to a period of 90 days.
Work permits
When it comes to work permits in Panama, the only important thing is whether you are working for a local or a foreign company. Expats employed at foreign companies do not need a work permit in Panama.
For everyone coming to Panama for a job, it is worth looking into Panama condos and rentals. Renting real estate in Panama can be very affordable, depending on the location.
Residency in Panama
If you are a foreigner working for a local Panamanian company, you will require a work permit. However, if you have a permanent residency in this country, you don’t need an additional permit.
If you want to move to Panama and stay here, there are few ways to get permanent residency:
- Marry a Panamanian
- Invest in Panama
- Purchase Panama real estate worth $300,000 or more
Now that you understand the basic requirements of moving from the United States to Panama, let’s talk about the relocation and how to find someone who will assist you in the process.
Moving from the United States to Panama
When it comes to the actual process of moving from the U.S. to Panama, there are a couple of things you should know.
- Take some lessons in Spanish, you will need it sooner than you think
- Hire a licensed lawyer to help you in the search for Panama homes. It will be easier to close a good deal if you have a local on your side
- When picking a moving company, always look for someone with experience and knowledge.
- Have in mind that the dry season is from January to May. Since we are in the last part of the year now, you might expect some rain along the way.
When looking for a way of transportation for moving to Panama, relocation by plane is by far the most enjoyable one. With that in mind, contact the crew from peasleyboisemovers.com to help you look into different options for shipping your belongings.
Furthermore, make sure your passport is valid for more than six months from the date of entry.
Find your way around Panama
There are two major things you must learn about life in Panama:
- Transportation system
- Safety in Panama
When it comes to the transportation system, busses, boats, metro, and private transport function flawlessly, so there is no need to get behind the wheel. However, if you like driving, car rentals are pretty affordable as well.
Furthermore, if you own a car, you can easily ship it to Panama.
When we talk about safety in Panama, it is good to know that Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America. The crime rate is low, and the government and police forces are stable. That being said, crime in Panama still exists.
Hotspots to avoid are Colon, Darien Gap, and Madden Dam. Furthermore, be extra careful when visiting markets and shops. Additionally, know that there is a curfew in Panama City for young adults under 18.
Here are some of the best practices to follow once you move to Panama:
- Always keep your possessions close to you
- Use a taxi when going to and from shopping areas
- Get friendly with locals and ask any questions you have
If you follow these safety tips, there is nothing to worry about.
Key takeaways for moving from the United States to Panama
As you can see, this start-to-finish guide for moving from the United States to Panama should have you covered in all parts of the process. Panama is a beautiful place to live, the climate is perfect almost all year round, and the culture and people are diverse and very friendly. Panama is a place that will pleasantly surprise you, as long as you give it a shot. As a last piece of advice, go online and look for experiences and comments of people who already moved to Panama. You can hear many stories. Some will be good, some may be bad, but that’s how life is. Nevertheless, Panama will be an experience you will never forget!