Thread: Working in Panama

Hi,

I'm entirely new to this forum. I'm very interested in relocating to Panama to work (as an English teacher or in media). All reports suggest that the job market is tight and the work permit process a nightmare.

For those of you already living and working there, can you shed some light. Is it feasible for me to consider Panama? I have a degree and some fluency in Spanish.

Hi Leisha,

Welcome to this forum! I personally think Panama is a dream come true, especially for English speaking people living here. Panama is very friendly towards foreigners and you can get anything you need and want here, and if you don't you can always order it from the US or Europe and have it here through MailBoxes Etc. in two or three days or fly to FL (short flight). Living conditions are great and at half the price.

Yes the job market is always tight here, and I have no idea as to the process to a work permit, etc.. however I'm sure someone on here will be able to give you the details on that.

As for my experience; I work independently on the Internet from home, pretty much all of my clients are Americans or Europeans, which gives me another plus as I don't have to pay any income taxes on profits generated from outside of Panama or non-Panamanians.

I'd definitively say Panama needs more professional English teachers! There are companies like ManPower that can help you find a great job, although you might not be able to earn as much as at home. Nevertheless, give it a try! I'm sure it's worth it!

Cheers,

Michael

Hi Leisha.J! I heard that it's difficult to get a job as a teacher. Have you considered forming a company and teaching individuals on a private basis? I sometimes come across flyers from private teachers who are teaching Spanish, you could try the same for English and target companies or students. You could get a visa by forming your own company. Just my thoughts.

I don't even think it is legal for foreigners to work in Panama, even on a private basis.

Originally Posted by themark

I don't even think it is legal for foreigners to work in Panama, even on a private basis.

Yes, it is legal for 'foreigners' to work in Panama--if they have a work visa. By setting up your own 'consultation service,' which would bypass some of the strictures created by the gov't, you can teach. If you were to invest in a forestry visa, that would also provide you a right-to-work permit.

The problem that I foresee with this, is that you want to teach Panamanians English, right? So you'd have to create really affordable (read: CHEAP) classes so that ppl who make $350 a month can still join your classes!! Another thought is approaching the private school sector (kids!!) or acting as a tutor to professionals or college students who need to learn.

Once again--you have to be really, really cheap. Not $10 an hour--even cheaper!

Cheers.

You have to charge less in Panama, but the cost-of-living is also less.

Originally Posted by coolandhot

You have to charge less in Panama, but the cost-of-living is also less.

True. But living in the U.S., if you were making $20k a year...would you be really happy? Would you have the free time to garden in your yard? Oh, that's right, you couldn't afford a yard! Would you spend your free time playing computer games and writing on forum boards? Probably not, computers are not cheap, and internet is an extra monthy expense that would cut into your food budget...and you wouldn't own your apartment, you would rent.

Does any of that sound like fun? Try doing that on the $8200 that is the avg. annual income for a Panamanian--try doing it on $10k! It is the super-low cost of living that makes a U.S. income seem so appealing!

Spending last spring in Boquete, I had both the maid's daughters ask me to help them look for jobs in the U.S.--for them and their husbands. They don't want to make Panamanian wages, they want U.S. wages--they see tons of retirees not blink an eye at buying a home, buying a car, furnishing their property, hiring servants--and they want that life too.

Just because one might be able to exist on Panamanian wages does not mean that one would enjoy it!

Cheers.

Unlike in the United States and such, most people in Panama do not have a lot of disposable income. Thus, they often can't afford expensive language classes. With any extra money they do have, they have to choose between what luxuries they want, and learning a language may not be the priority one.

Hi Leisha, I have to agree with most everyone in this thread that being an English teacher would be tough/impossible. There are however allot of opportunities in Panama, do you have any hobbies that you maybe able to get paid to do? Panama's number one business is import/export. One thing I did notice while driving around the country is a lack of services off of the Pan-American highway. All these vehicles and it is hard to find at times to find a convenience store, restaurants, a clean place to poop. Laws are pretty relaxed, you could probably even offer drive-thru daiquiris just like New Orleans. Use your imagination and tour the country, you will figure something out.

Keep in mind the internet is pretty good throughout most of this country. Since you are an English teacher I imagine you can write pretty well. I know that EscapeArtist Home Page: Living Overseas - International Real Estate, Overseas Jobs - Expatriate Resources - Overseas Retirement is looking for people that are willing to live in exotic destinations and write stories about their travel and life in exotic locations.

There still is an upperclass in Panama. It's simply that the middle-class does not have extra income.

I have heard thats it really difficult to get a work permit in order to work in Panama. Is that true please ?

Originally Posted by 0lgi

I have heard thats it really difficult to get a work permit in order to work in Panama. Is that true please ?

Yes. Try a search of the site, this has been brought up many times; in fact your answer may be above--scroll up and check it out.

http://www.panamaforum.com/business-...Work+permit%27 (Can foreigners work in Panama?)
http://www.panamaforum.com/search.php?searchid=1709

To get one requires that you are a qualified Panamanian resident, w/the right to work provided by your type of residence permit, and there a few to choose from--another search would provide that answer.

Cheers!

so... anyone knows...? minimum salary and average salary in Panama? i mean... definetely if you're going to work for a company from there you'll be treated like all other panamanians.

About $8000 a yr for a seriously qualified professional, and ~$500/mo. for teachers. Here are a few links from this site:
http://www.panamaforum.com/panama-bl...ghlight=salary


And, of course, you could just scroll up--the answer is above...

Cheers.

The salaries in Panama are not that desirable. That's not what you want to move here for.