Pensionado visa and spouse working

Hi Kent from a fellow Canuck,

Can't give you a definitive answer about Panama immigration, but if their rules are anything at all like here in Brazil applying for a Visa for Retired Individuals would probably not permit your wife to work. Again if it's anything like Brazil they probably have a large 'greymarket' workforce and she would be able to get a job at a private language school as an English teacher without too much difficulty. Here they don't even ask about documentation in most cases. The downside of that is the pay is pretty bad.

My suggestion, if she can't get a work permit, would be find a school job temporarily and set up a webpage, print up leaflets and recruit private students who traditionally pay more. There wouldn't be a lot that could be done about tracking the income or activity of somebody who's working "off the radar" so to speak.

About the Harley, it's a hell of a long ride from Hogtown to Panama, but who knows it might be fun? Check about taxes and any other restrictions. I know that you can only import vehicles on a temporary basis to Brazil, it's strictly prohibited to import anything other than antique vehicles to Brazil, might be the same there too. Good luck!

William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog Team

Hi Raptorfan,

I am a fellow Canadian that chose Panama to live, work and play. Between, me and you Canadian winters got to much for my old bones LOL

My wife is Panamanian and is an Immigration specialist so I can walk you through what you need to do.

Here is the documentation that you must need:

Canadian Police Record
Certificate of Pension and Condition of Pension (condition $1,000/mth. min.)
Certificate from Bank that receives the direct deposit.

Note: This is important don't try to come here without doing this! You must have these documents authenticated at the Panamanian consulate close to your residence in CANADA.

When you get here we can get the other documentation that you will need necessary to obtain your Panama Pension Visa.

This includes: Power of Attorney, documents translation,  certificate of health, passport copies etc.

As of 6 weeks ago Pensioners could only have a pension card. meaning you had all the benefits of a pensioner in Panama but you could not open a business, work, own property.

Now, you can obtain a Panamanian identity card which allows you the same privelges plus all the benefits of being a pensioner.

As soon as you receive your pension status (usually 2-3 months) I strongly advise that you get your Panama ID before you purchase any property in Panama. This is quick usually 15 days to get. So at the most you'll take 4 months to get everything done correctly. Si that you can begin to get your life here worry free.

Paul Wylie
011-507-250-1405

Yes, but not legally.

If she wants to teach, there are other visas she could get. There's no law that says you both have to be pensionados. My husband and I are facing the same situation.

Please be aware that there is a new requirement for U.S Citizens wanting a Pensionado Visa. That is that they must obtain an FBI Background Check. I do not know if they have instituted a similar requirement for Canadians, but you would be wise to ask your attorney.
BTW, my wife who wants to volunteer to teach English is obtaining a TEFL Certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). This certificate is recognized worldwide and might be something you would want to look into. Just Google TEFL and you can find out where you can obtain one locally.

@sunnymikkel In Canada you must obtain the police record from the last place of residency. Go to your local police station in your city and ask for the documentation . That document must be verified by the Panamanian consulate. Don't leave Canada without it !

In order to work in Panama no matter what Visa you have you must also possess a work permit.

As for teaching having TEFL certification helps however, your teaching qualifications supersedes any TEFL. Just provide proof that you are a registered teacher oh, make sure you have all your teaching certificates, university diplomas notarized.