tigerfan

Has anyone used any of the programs available which allows you to obtain a permanent visa and residency within 1 year (or less than the 5 year standard) such as the reforestation program ($80,000 amount), or any other program that may allow the faster permanent visa and residency?

themark

Do you just want to know if anyone has used it? Sure people have used it. What do you want to know about using it?

Lalaguayaba

I believe Tigerfan wants to know if anyone on the forum has used the service; I have used the $80k option, and it went smoothly. Get a good lawyer who can make sure that all of your papers are filed properly and you too can have insta-residency.

Cheers.

freddy

Almost everyone's experience is going to be different. It depends a lot on your own personal finances. Lalaguayaba is right to suggest a lawyer, because a lawyer can look at your specific needs and give you individualized advice.

Lalaguayaba

The nice thing about the reforestation visa is that it is the cheapest one available with the 1 year residency clause. All the other programs require at least $200k, proof of income, and/or some sort of substantial investment. $80k is a good investment in a good thing--trees!

Cheers.

tigerfan

I was curious as to which program they used, the success or failure of their usage, delays or length of time it took to get finalization, and any other related information that may be of benefit. Thanks.

tigerfan

Thanks for the information. I may call on you at a later date for the name of the attorney you used if we go the $80K route.

MRWOOHOO

Absolute "worst case scenario" you leave for a cruise to Costa Rica or Colombia for two days and come back every three months. I have heard of people doing it for over 7 years. Always consult with a lawyer.

seashore

I think the worst case is that you overstay and pay a small fine.

Lalaguayaba

What Mr. Woohoo was saying was about residing in Panama w/o a permanent residence visa--you just have to leave for 48 hours every 90 days (maybe every 30 now with the new, and ever-so-confusing tourist visa limits that not everyone, including embassy staff seems that up on!) So, you could ostensibly live in Panama as long as you took a long weekend every now and then. We know ppl who do that as well; they just tend to travel once or twice a month anyway, so that they never actually seem to need a permanent residence visa.

If you overstayed the tourist visa and paid the fine every time (many times,) I imagine that Immigracion would eventually catch on and either attempt to jail you, ban you or get you to buy a visa. If you only wanted to overstay your tourist visa once, and pay the fine--sure, you could do that, but why? It's so easy to just get it extended.

Cheers.

tatiane

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Lalaguayaba

Please re-read the thread, Tatiane--if one does not qualify for the pensionado/jubilado visa, does not wish to purchase real estate, etc., the reforestsation visa was the choice put forth, as it provides a stable investment as well as a visa.

As always, we do suggest to use a lawyer.

Cheers.

tatiane

........

Lalaguayaba

And you don't feel like sharing this information with the forum? Or are you just trying to steer more traffic to the law firm that you work for?

Just curious.

WMQ

I'll second that. Tell us! We want to know.

Personally, from what I've read (not a whole lot), I think marriage could be the easiest and cheapest way. If you marry someone and exchange residencies (you can live in Panama and your spouse in your home country) it might be a good deal for both. I'm a bit cynical here but hey, why not?

panman

Marriage can also be dangerous if you are just doing for citizenship. If you marry someone, that will give them legal rights to your property and money.