Steven Rich MBA
Canadian expat in Panama
Forum posts
51
Contacts
7
About me
Canadian
Lives in Panama City
Speaks English and Spanish
Registration: 04 June 2015
The work culture in Panama
As I stated in my reply above, "Typical jobs for Panamanians total 43 hours per week."Your rude reply and your self-glorification along with your 9 days as a member here speak loudly about your character. Read More
The work culture in Panama by Mickael
Hello everyone, As an expatriate, [b]working in Panama[/b] can present unique opportunities but also challenges. Discovering new communication styles, adapting to new cultural norms... [b]working in Panama[/b] can be both exciting and ...
I worked as the Manager of the Marketing Department for a Panama law firm for 3 1/2 years, My experience revealed that:Typical jobs for Panamanians total 43 hours per week. Monday - Friday for 8 hours per day and 3 hours on Saturday mornings; The ... Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama by Steven Rich MBA
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ...
kristc, Homelessness is a global problem. Every country I visited in my life (around 35) all had homeless people. Panama is no exception, Hundreds of homeless sleeping in parks and card board boxes in alleys and the streets in Panama City too. The ... Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama by Steven Rich MBA
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ...
Krist, Thanks for your input. I guess most expats who come to Panama are retired and buy a home or a condo apartment. So, they have no expired leases or rent increases to worry about. Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama by Steven Rich MBA
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ...
Lat July 24, I posted an answer to this question in a separate posting on this forum. It saddens me that this older post is getting more attention than the one which best answers the question I originally posed here. Check out the other post I ... Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency by Steven Rich MBA
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ...
Douglas, I wrote all of the web pages at the POLS Attorneys site (except for their Blog). Read the other web pages I wrote about immigrating to Panama and obtaining licenses, etc. Steven Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency by Steven Rich MBA
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ...
I wrote this years ago. The process should be the same, but the fees may be higher than when I wrote this. http://www.panama-offshore-services.com/bringing_pets_to_panama.htm Steven Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency by Steven Rich MBA
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ...
Hi Douglas, Thanks for liking my Post here. Morgan & Morgan is considered the best law firm in Panama. I think my profile here has my email address. If it does, send me an email. If not, send me a private message here so I can safely send ... Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency by Steven Rich MBA
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ...
Krist, Glad to help other expats know their rights when their leases expire during the current COVID-19 national emergency. Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency by Steven Rich MBA
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ...
I hope this legal advice helps out expats whose rental leases will expire during the current Panama coronavirus national emergency. Read More
Top Panama Law Firm Advice re Rental Expiring in COVID-19 Emergency
Many expats in Panama may be facing an upcoming rental contract expiring during the national COVID-19 emergency. Will they be forced to move when the lease expires if the landlord refuses to extend or agree to a new lease? I posed the following ... Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama by Steven Rich MBA
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ...
kristc99, Thanks for your reply and suggestion. I know Bob Adams, and you are right, he is a good resource for information about Panama. But, he focuses on population patterns and statistics. He is not a lawyer and doesn't deal with ... Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama by Steven Rich MBA
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ...
I see 96 views of this posting, but no replies. Are all the expats in Panama happy with their leases? No one experiencing problems with a lease renewal? Like your Panama landlord raising the rent in spite of the President's Executive Order ... Read More
Rent Freeze & No Evictions in Panama
A month ago, the President of Panama issued Executive Decree 145 which froze all rents and prohibits evictions for all housing rentals. Now, Panama landlords are claiming that when a lease expires they can raise the rent. Their lawyers argue that ... Read More
Your best business development ideas in Panama by Priscilla
Hi everyone, As a foreign entrepreneur, launching a business in Panama is a fantastic project and an exciting challenge. Some ideas are likely to succeed. Some others are promising but may not work as well as intended. In your opinion, what ...
Elsordo, To answer your question: Yes, I still do SEO, marketing, and content writing services for global clients while living in Panama. The great thing about doing an internet based business from Panama is that Panama does not levy any taxes on ... Read More
Your best business development ideas in Panama by Priscilla
Hi everyone, As a foreign entrepreneur, launching a business in Panama is a fantastic project and an exciting challenge. Some ideas are likely to succeed. Some others are promising but may not work as well as intended. In your opinion, what ...
I provide SEO, Online Marketing, and Content Writing (websites and blogs) services. What type of business are you in? Steven Rich, MBA Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
Gary, A few years ago, I wrote an article published in The Visitor about the Reforestation Visa and teak. It looked like a viable, profitable investment at the time due to the global popularity of teak and its many uses. Steven Rich, MBA Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
Gary, There is nothing wrong in what they state about teak investing and the time it takes to harvest, etc. Bear in mind, they are reforestation program companies promoting their product which is reforestation in Panama. You don't need to ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
Gary, The Friendly Nations Visa and the Reforestation Investment Visa are 2 different types of Visas. The Reforestation Visa requires a minimum investment of $80,000 USD in a government certified reforestation program which includes purchasing at ... Read More
Planning a move to Panama. Info about hospitals, schools, life?! by anna0902
Hi, everyone My name is Anna, my husband and i are planning to move to Panama. We are coming for a pre-relocation visit in January. We would love to meet people who moved to Panama and to hear a little bit more about the everyday life there, ...
Panama's internet lines are mostly above ground making them vulnerable to the elements causing rust, decay, subject to high winds, etc. You just learn to put up with the inconveniences. Too many expats come here from the U.S., Canada, and the ... Read More
Planning a move to Panama. Info about hospitals, schools, life?! by anna0902
Hi, everyone My name is Anna, my husband and i are planning to move to Panama. We are coming for a pre-relocation visit in January. We would love to meet people who moved to Panama and to hear a little bit more about the everyday life there, ...
I am a professional content writer living in Panama. I write the content for several websites about Panama. One of them, a Panama law firm, has 200 web pages of my content. Two of them are related to your questions about the best hospitals and ... Read More
Looking for a job in Panama
Annj, What kind of job are you looking for here? What types of jobs did you have before? What education did you have related to finding a job here? What skills do you have? Steven Rich, MBA Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
Every morning I go online and read News Room Panama at http://www.newsroompanama.com/ Its coverage is limited, but it has interesting news stories about Panama in English. Otherwise, I read U.S., and Canadian newspapers online and CNN along with ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Panama means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
The largest and best social network group in Panama is Internations which is a global group with branches in capitol cities in over 30 countries. You can join for Free and attend a few events to check it out before being asked to join (costs around ... Read More
Italian considering moving to Panama - help :) by northblue
Hi, I'm an Italian considering moving to Panama. I'm a little confused there is a friendly nations visa (which doesn't apply for Italy from my understanding but applies for my other country of citizenship) or there appears to be a ...
I don't think many Expats speak or write Italian. I suggest you get a translation into English. I also believe the rules do not allow advertising your business services on these forums. Read More
Italian considering moving to Panama - help :) by northblue
Hi, I'm an Italian considering moving to Panama. I'm a little confused there is a friendly nations visa (which doesn't apply for Italy from my understanding but applies for my other country of citizenship) or there appears to be a ...
I think there is confusion here. I replied to an Italian's post about moving to Panama. I do not want to move to Italy. Steven Rich, MBA Read More
Italian considering moving to Panama - help :) by northblue
Hi, I'm an Italian considering moving to Panama. I'm a little confused there is a friendly nations visa (which doesn't apply for Italy from my understanding but applies for my other country of citizenship) or there appears to be a ...
Sorry, I did not see this posting a month ago. I used to work full time for a Panama law firm and published articles in The Visitor tourist newspaper explaining Panama laws to expats. One of them covered the 1966 special treaty between Panama and ... Read More
FATCA Law
How are Americans in Panama coping with the U.S. Law requiring all banks to report all U.S. depositors banking information to the IRS (Treasury Dept.)? According to Wikipedia, "The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is a United States ... Read More
LAWYERS ????WOW.....can I avoid them ? by wannamovetopanama
I am moving to Panama in the next 2-3 months. Everything I read says I need lawyers to "make it happen".... and the fees quoted amount to thousands of dollars.....for example I need to pay a lawyer $700 to facilitate opening a time savings ...
Dear Cold Canada, Panama law requires that all immigration visa applications be filed by a Panama lawyer. Unlike Canada and other countries, a foreigner cannot apply for an immigration visa on his or her own. When it comes to Panama immigration ... Read More
Professions in Panama Which Foreigners Can't Work As by Steven Rich MBA
I posted this information on Moving to Panama, but this is more relevant to Visas than in that topic area. Both the Friendly Nations Visa and Foreign Professional Visa allow foreigners to work for a Panama company in a "professional" ...
Dear Sayonarabezemer, Not all permanent residents have the right to a work permit. It depends on the type of Visa you have, Steven Rich in Panama Read More
Professions in Panama Which Foreigners Can't Work As by Steven Rich MBA
I posted this information on Moving to Panama, but this is more relevant to Visas than in that topic area. Both the Friendly Nations Visa and Foreign Professional Visa allow foreigners to work for a Panama company in a "professional" ...
Pensionados (Retirees) and their dependents are supposed to be retired and not working. That is why they can't get a work permit in Panama. You can run an internet business selling products or services to non-Panamanians which does not require ... Read More
Professions in Panama Which Foreigners Can't Work As by Steven Rich MBA
I posted this information on Moving to Panama, but this is more relevant to Visas than in that topic area. Both the Friendly Nations Visa and Foreign Professional Visa allow foreigners to work for a Panama company in a "professional" ...
Dear Mzpurple, Not every visa gives you the right to a Work Permit in Panama. The Friendly Nations Visa does, as well as, the Foreign Professioal Visa, but the Pensionado Visa doesn't. Panama has around 25 immigration visas with many not ... Read More
Professions in Panama Which Foreigners Can't Work As by Steven Rich MBA
I posted this information on Moving to Panama, but this is more relevant to Visas than in that topic area. Both the Friendly Nations Visa and Foreign Professional Visa allow foreigners to work for a Panama company in a "professional" ...
When you receive your temporary resident card and even your permanent resident card, it will indicate that you are a foreigner. You will always be a foreigner until you become a citizen. Until then you have to keep your original country ... Read More
Do you have recommendation on banking? Any good lawyer? by Lifeisgreat4us
My husband Greg(56) and I, Louisa(51) are interested in moving to Panama. We want to start a small business when we move here in few years. Now I am thinking I want to start a business sooner on my own and manage it part time between US and Panama. ...
Opening a Panama bank account is difficult for foreigners as they require a lot of documents and proof that all your funds and income are clean. U.S. citizens have it even more difficult because of the FATCA law where the U.S. government requires ... Read More
Gatering info about retirement in Panama in practice. by atrokhan
Me and my wife decided to visit Panama and see if we can afford life here with a budget $1000-1500 a mo. We've got Hotel in Downtown of Panama City not inclusive (better to understand everything) and rent a Car in Tocumen's AVIS!!! It was ...
You should protest the ridiculous charge with your credit card company. It seems you were taken advantage of as many foreigners find happens to them when traveling. I am sorry that you had such a terrible experience in Panama. Steven Rich in Panama Read More
Professions in Panama Which Foreigners Can't Work As
I posted this information on Moving to Panama, but this is more relevant to Visas than in that topic area. Both the Friendly Nations Visa and Foreign Professional Visa allow foreigners to work for a Panama company in a "professional" ... Read More
Moving to Panama by Falankuk
Hi All, I am planing to relocate to Panama, I have good language skills in Spanish, I am graduate in pharmacology. I need to know what you need to do in order to obtain a permanent residence in Panama, it is difficult? what is the timescale, ...
Recently, immigration officials put together a list of professions 鈥渞eserved鈥� for Panamanians which foreigners cannot be employed as. Here is a translation of that list: Accountant, agricultural science, architect, attorney, barber, ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
Gentlemen, The Friendly Nations Visa was intended to attract a smarter, better educated & trained workforce to improve the country's economy. It was never intended to be a "retiree" or "pensioner's" free ticket to ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
Dear Sunset Steve, Here are the entire requirements to qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa provided to me by an English speaking Panama law firm whom I often refer clients to: Requirements of Friendly Nation Visa The words 鈥減rofessional ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
You are correct. The Pensionado Visa requires a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month. But, I was specifically referring to the process in which Panama immigration officials take when looking at an application for the visa. Officials will ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
I am in constant contact with Panama lawyers and hear what goes on in the trenches regarding processing immigration visas by the Panama government. The Friendly Nations Visa is processed faster than any other visa because when it was created by ... Read More
Moving to Panama by Falankuk
Hi All, I am planing to relocate to Panama, I have good language skills in Spanish, I am graduate in pharmacology. I need to know what you need to do in order to obtain a permanent residence in Panama, it is difficult? what is the timescale, ...
You are correct. Only a "pharmacist" is reserved for Panamanians. Pharmaceutical sales persons are not "pharmacists". So you can work as a sales rep. in Panama. However, a sales person is not a recognized ... Read More
Moving to Panama by Falankuk
Hi All, I am planing to relocate to Panama, I have good language skills in Spanish, I am graduate in pharmacology. I need to know what you need to do in order to obtain a permanent residence in Panama, it is difficult? what is the timescale, ...
Pharmacy is not a profession allowed for foreigners. I just received the list used by Panama Immigration of professions which are reserved only for Panamanians. It is in Spanish, but I am going to translate it for an article I will be publishing ... Read More
New members of the Panama forum, introduce yourself here 聳 3rd quarter of 2015 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Panama forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Hello everyone! I have lived in Panama off and on for 18 years and am living in Panama City. I worked for 2 Panama law firms providing marketing, promotional, and SEO services and am now doing this business on my own. Steven Rich, MBA Read More
Moving to Panama by Falankuk
Hi All, I am planing to relocate to Panama, I have good language skills in Spanish, I am graduate in pharmacology. I need to know what you need to do in order to obtain a permanent residence in Panama, it is difficult? what is the timescale, ...
I have worked for two Panama law firms and published a lot of articles about Panama Immigration. I am sorry to report that the Professional Employment Visa will not apply to you because certain professions are reserved for Panama citizens including ... Read More
Pensionado or Favored Nations? by SunsetSteve
At 65 I have been looking into various Latin American countries with a view to retiring. Cost Living, Climate and at least a smattering of other expats around seem to be my main criteria. I need something "half way up the mountain" - like ...
I am the original author of the Friendly Nations Visa requirements posted here. I was the manager of a Panama law firm's marketing department for over 3 years and went out on my own providing marketing, promotional and SEO services for ... Read More
LAWYERS ????WOW.....can I avoid them ? by wannamovetopanama
I am moving to Panama in the next 2-3 months. Everything I read says I need lawyers to "make it happen".... and the fees quoted amount to thousands of dollars.....for example I need to pay a lawyer $700 to facilitate opening a time savings ...
Here is a link to an English speaking Panama law firm's website which has 10 articles which I wrote explaining everything you need to know about a Panama Private Interest Foundation which costs $1,400 USD to set up including the first year's ... Read More
LAWYERS ????WOW.....can I avoid them ? by wannamovetopanama
I am moving to Panama in the next 2-3 months. Everything I read says I need lawyers to "make it happen".... and the fees quoted amount to thousands of dollars.....for example I need to pay a lawyer $700 to facilitate opening a time savings ...
I live in Panama City and have worked for two Panama law firms. The only area where the government requires that you use a Panama lawyer is immigration. Only Panama lawyers can make the application for a visa. Steven Rich, MBA Read More
New members of the Panama forum, introduce yourself here 聳 2nd quarter of 2015 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Panama forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Let me introduce myself as a new member. My name is Steven Rich, MBA. I always use the MBA as part of my name because there are over 1,000 other people named Steven Rich on the internet and this helps to separate me from the others. I am a ... Read More