[cdoerr]

See if your company will submit a work permit application for you with the appropriate government agency. The costs for this are low and reasonable; however, you will have to obtain a number of documents for this (birth certificate, police record, etc.).

I understand that getting the application approved can take years, but as soon as the application is submitted you have the legal right to live and work here pending approval/denial of the application.

This would help you immensely obtaining financing from local banks and also you wouldn’t have to leave the country every 90 days (I assume you are here on a tourist visa). Your company is probably paying or subsidizing your costs of leaving the country every 90 days, so should be easy to convince them to request a work permit on your behalf (unless the oompany is flying under the radar and this would have tax liability consequences).

[cdoerr]

I just received my residency card two weeks ago. From my perspective, the main disadvantages were the waiting times at Immigration in Uruca. I had to spent two full days there to take my picture and get my card.

I did not use a lawyer and the total cost was about $400. A friend of my mine applied for the card at the same time as me using a lawyer, paying more than $600 dollars for the lawyer, and he is still waiting for his card.

For me, the advantages of obtaining residency far outweigh the disadvantages.

[cdoerr]

legal residency also makes it easier to obtain financing within the country, opening a bank account, etc.

[cdoerr]

Not true…Panama abolished its armed forces through presidential decree in 1990 and in 1994 amended its constitution to prohibit the creation of a standing army…

[Author]

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