'Working in Panama' Panama City  

Tonita from Australia (Contact Member) -

I know Panama is a good place to retire but what is it like to work in Panama...can expats get a job or is it really difficult. My son is a personal trainer and life coach could he work there?

Comment #1 Edward from Miami (Contact Member) -

You have several issues to confront. First, can you legally work. Although this may be difficult for the result of my commnets, let's assume the answer is yes (though I think it will more likely be no).

Are you looking for a wage that would be comparable to wages in the USA or Australia? I would say forget it. Can you find a job for a buck an hour? Sure.

Can you do something independently? language teacher, start a business, maybe even a personal trainer (for gringos or rich Panamains). Sure, but you have to develope the market and though your options for money will be greater it will still be limited by the local economy.

You would best invesigate the issues with working legally and the search on the internet for possible clients so you could build a customer base ahead of your arrival.

Comment #2 Tonita from Australia (Contact Member) -

To Edward from Miami...thank you for that information it is what I thought but needed to check out. So it seems Panama is a good place to retire but not to work unless you have a good business. I was hoping my son could come and live there if I moved over but it seems that would be a tall order.

I know the advantages for retiree's is that it is economically better....but what are the other advantages in your opinion. Is it safe there or is there a lot of petty crime if the wages are so low? How do the Panamanians feel about the foreigners in their country with a lot more money than them...and even as people in general...do they accept the expats or is their hostility towards them? Is the government stable or likely to change its mind in a few years about foreigners? I know you can't know all the answers but when you live somewhere you have more of a finger on the pulse so to speak.

I know the best thing is to come and check it all out but as it is so far from Australia I need to do more research first.

Comment #3 Stacey from Out West (Contact Member) -

Here is a link to how to obtain a work permit for Panama ... Looks like quiet a process. My ex husband moved to Canada from England, and didn't have this kind of process to fufil before being able to work over here. He did however own his own company, so the "letter from employer" wasn't necessary ... Best of luck! I hope this link helps!

Comment #4 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

Quite a process so you can make a buck or so an hour!

Comment #5 PokerPrincess from Canada, Earth (Contact Member) -

Working in a foreign country is always difficult because you are taking wages from the citizens of that country.

One of the best ways to go to a new country is to open up a new business. However, this does cost and unless you have enough money to keep you until your business starts to grow you could run into a lot of problems.

Almost any country will welcome new enterprise but very few, especially the poorer countries, welcome new workers because they don't have enough jobs for the citizens already living there.

Comment #6 Karen from Texas (Contact Member) -

Looks like you're better off to move there and retire so you don't have to look for a job!

Comment #7 Jessica from Panama Rep of Panama (Contact Member) -

The cost of life for us the panamenian people is dificult but no bad ok, when you coming here and see the diference in money you want to make a bussines becuase is not a big problem for you, the cost of life is ship, for example here in panamá you can put a gym very easy!!! my country is not big but everybody go to a gym panamenian and the others country people. we are a very oportunity for the others person but for the panamenian people is not the same. you have a lot of descount in all and the ministerio de economia in the others help, the problem is when the people coming to find a job and dont want to make a paper work in emigration for example is like the mexican in usa the goberment send this people out of Panamá.

if you need help email me: jesk1170@yahoo.com

Comment #8 lola ferer (63.176.159.54) -

Of course it is always hard to work in a foreign country. Just imagine you are all alone in a foreign land, missing your families and loved one back in your country, but you have to stay, for their future. It is a sacrifice took by some while others it is an opportunity.

Comment #9 imposto (63.176.159.119) -

Why work abroad when you can just work at home. well, that's easy for me to say for I've been working at home. I can suggest you try other foreign countries which offer a better working environment. How about Asia or Australia? Have you considered those countries?

Comment #10 Kira (63.176.159.70) - 06/06/09 04:37

It is good for you imposto, to have a work in the comfort of your home. What kind of work is that? Are you a freelance Writer or are you paid to join in a forum like this.. Nahh, just kidding. :) To Tonita from Australia, it is always difficult to start a new life as well as career in other country, you have to cope up with their cultures and traditions. But here is the catch, if your son have the guts and the perseverance, he can grab a job not just in Panama but in other countries as well.

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