With the current economic situation in the States right now many are looking at moving southward. For those who arenÂ’t yet retired, or donÂ’t have sufficient savings to stop working, what options are there for living and working in Panama?
For many the best option is to telecommute to their current job. As picture perfect as it sounds, this isnÂ’t always possible. The braver souls might look into investing in a current business (which you have to have the cash for) or starting up their own business. But what about the ones who just want to find work in Panama?
Teaching English is definitely a viable option. Schools often jump at the chance to employ native speakers, and there is no end to the number of people who want to learn 
English. Spanish is helpful, but not necessary. In fact, most schools require that teachers only speak in English with their students.
I have friends who like to fool their students by pretending they donÂ’t speak any Spanish. It is quite devious and sneaky, but makes for a good surprise when you finally give yourself away!
Most language institutes have afternoon, night and weekend classes designed for a variety of teen to adult students. Some of the teachers have certification, but many of the foreigners working in these language schools do not. Some private schools offer English classes as part of the curriculum, or teach certain subjects in English, but they almost always require the teacher to be licensed. These jobs pay about $800 a month.
For language institutes, the pay often depends on the number of courses you are teaching. An average 8 week class would meet 2–3 times a week for anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours. The going rate is between $14–$16 dollars an hour.
The trickiest part about working in Panama is that you are doing it on the sly, under the guise of your tourist visa (which is valid for 90 days and renewable for another 90 days at the immigration office for $16). After the 180 days, jump over to Costa Rica and enjoy another 180 days in Panama.
Working legally is a bit more of a process. A work visa costs $100 dollars and to get one you need a copy of your work contract, a criminal background check from your country of origin, a Certificado de Buena Salud (doctor consult and HIV test approx $10), a letter to immigration requesting a work visa for a visiting expert, and a letter to the Labor Ministry for a work permit. The letters must show why a Panamanian company needs to hire you over a Panamanian citizen (for your skills). The letters must be drawn up by a lawyer, and those fees can be pretty expensive. (Many teachers never go through this, they just work on their tourist visa and pay the extra taxes.)
I recommended e-mailing the school and arranging an interview or employment before arrival in Panama.
Here is a list of several language schools in Panama:
- Berlitz (www.berlitz.com)
- Wall Street Institute (www.wallstreetinstitute.com)
- Centro Especializado de Lenguas, Edith Espino (eespino@utp.ac.pa)
- American English Overseas Center, Italia Vergara Arenas (aeocpa@cwp.net.pa)
- Educational Institute for English Learning, Ricardo de la Cruz, (eifelsa@cwpanama.net)
- Kaplan (www.kaptest.com, edutech@pty.com)
- The Oxford School (www.ois.edu.pa/engl/mainfs.html, oxford.ois.edu.pa)
- International School of Panama (www.isp.edu.pa, isp@isp.edu.pa)
- English Learning Centers (elcpa@uinteramericana.edu)
Another option is of course to teach privately. Private English tutors can charge anywhere from $15–25 an hour. Private lessons are more productive and they pay better, but they are difficult due to reliability. It is best to try to get a student to commit to two weeks or a month in order to stabilize your schedule a bit. Any longer than that may be difficult, as many Panamanian live paycheck to paycheck.
Though it goes unsaid by Panamanian law, the visa is actually valid for only 30 days. beyond that the visitor is fined.
It’s a law that was passed about a year ago.
My mistake, thanks for the correction!
I think I have good solution for Americans who are looking to work in Panama.
My partner and I are bringing a line of decorative concrete to Panama. We will be the primary distributors of this line of decorative concrete and we currently seek entrepreneurial individuals and companies who wish to become certified trained installers for elite crete products and services and join our network.
This business has low cost start up and high profit returns for installers.
Our inaugural training date is scheduled for the weekend of February 21st, 2009.
Please feel free to contact David Vogel (david@elitecretelatinamerica.com)or Renan Guillou (renan@elitecretelatinamerica.com)for further details.
I just want to comment on the travel visa. I just came from Panama a couple days ago and was told that the travel visa is now back to 90 days. The 30 rule was in effect for a few months, but was reversed. I should also mention that I traveled with a Brazilian and she was not required any visa at all.
This is just to update my above post…
The first training in Panama will be held on the weekend of February 28th (NOT the 21st).
Spaces filling up quickly so act now to reserve your seats.
We will be holding trainings once a month, so if you miss our first one, sign up for next months’.
Join our E-newsletter to stay up to date on what is happening with Elite Crete Latin America… Email us at info@elitecretelatinamerica.com for more info or to sign up.
All the best,
Renan Guillou
I just wanted to thank you very much for this illuminating article. I have already bookmarked your site, when I have more free time I am going to have to do some further research. Well back to my dreaming of Panama or back to the books – I wonder which one is going to win out.
I lived and worked in Panama as a Peace Corps volunteer for almost 3 years and am now getting a masters degree in environmental sciences. What do you think are the possibilities of working in my field in Panama. For example teaching at the university level?
This is my second visit to this blog. We are starting a new initiative in the same niche as this blog. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a fantastic job.
WRONG! That 30-day rule was never enforced and was never even passed into law. It was only a Presidential Decree. In Panama, Decrees only become law when they’re debated and voted on in the Legislature and decrees are not enforcible UNTIL they become law. So what “Jim” says above (‘The 30 rule was in effect for a few months’) was NEVER the case at all. Sorry “Jim” … nothing personal.
Also, they originally tried making it for all foreign nationals (including US, Australia, Canada and UK). However, international treaties override all domestic laws and Presidential decrees, and, as Panama had an international cultural exchange treaty with European Union (including UK), this proposed “30-day rule” would not have been applicable to UK-EU passport holders.
Just thought you’d like to know …
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I am absolutely not agree but the speech of wisdom may be acceptable to you. First there is the legal issue and secondly the professional. Dont sell any latin country as they would be without burocratics nor rules, please. In any professional institute you must know perfect spanish in order to transmitt perfect english, “native language” is only an advantage because of pronounciation.
For any US or European citizen Panama is as difficult as it would be Colombia because we think different, we act different, we organize different and we are always subject of third thoughts to the locals. No matter what. As long as you are not a high rated professional with good and seriouse contacts you wont get nowhere. I know this country because I am a german economist phd setting up and managing companies over here for about 25 years. You or any reader needing more info write me at anuvelas@gmail.com and I am gladly assisting you or anybody to be successfull in latin america. Right you are that the labour situation in the US will struggle for the next 20 years and that many ppl may seek for alternatives down south. SO lets do it well and help each other thinking in terms of groups of interest. Best wishes. Horst
Right, it really is a good start but i’m going to take a look at that a touch more. Will let you know exactly what more there really is.
anybody have any news as to a good lawyer, good info or a good company / business to get into for getting a work visa in Panama?
Working or investing in Panama…Sure you’ll join hundreds who have come and have lost a lot if not everything.
Be serious…stay at home safe and work hard saving what you have. Panama is not a land for dreamers…
Hi I’m a student that will be taking classes in panama for about a year. What is the easiet way to get a working visa because I want to be able to work. I’m used to having a part time job in states so it would be nice if I could work somewhere for income.
Just like Michael Whittaker says above. you’ll get absolutely nowhere here. I’m not a dreamer, I grew up here. But I’m not latin. I do have citizenship. But I don’t have a law degree. I’ve started numberous business here and been reemed in a hundred different ways. This land breeds theft and corruption. I’ve watched many gringos and locals come and go, start business’ and be shut out. I am now finally seeking a way to work online, completely independant of this country. Ohh, there is one business that will work; “pimp hookers from a charter fishing boat”. But a boat costs about $100k/hookers are free to start. If you come in with multi millions to set up a business, you have a chance, but the laws change real fast, and one never knows what was an advantage yesterday, get one nothing today. If you must work. Understand that the ruling class has made it so that the average wage works out to about $300/month. Also know that it is now only 15% cheaper to live here than the U.S. This equals impossible.
Come to vacation with a budget. Want to talk further with me about it? Write me at jdeslondes@gmail.com
Very nice article indeed, I really loved it. Such information is necessary in order to be a successful person or businessman.
What about restaurant/ chef jobs in panama or even opening a small restaurant?
great site – good info
I’m in panama city and looking for an ESL teaching position ??
HELP is always appreciated !!
Robbie
Hi,
I’m a professional singer thinking of relocating to Panama. I sing Jazz and the American Songbook, songs by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer, the Gershwins, so on and so forth.
Can anyone tell me whether there is any demand in the Clubs, Condo’s, Restaurants for my style and what the pay is like for performing.
Thanks,
Michael A