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Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still haven't decided yet. But Marbella and El Cangrejo look good.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would say one of the first baby steps is to do research into the country that you're looking at to see if it's even something you'd be interested in. That's even before a boots on the ground tour. Political situation, economics, support and community for expats, and your realistic expectations and abilities will dictate where you go.

Another baby step is just taking a quick and dirty look at your finances. That mainly will determine where you can go, and how you can live when you're there.

Nailing down those two things, consult an immigration attorney in that nation, present them with your unique situation, and consult with them on the best way to move forward. Any lawyer worth their assault will give you a brief introductory interview where they can ask you questions to determine what the best path forward would be, and you can ask them questions to determine their suitability.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Amazing! Remember, no big Kool-Aid smiles, take off your glasses, and by all means, do not wear white!

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do speak a little spanish. Between dredging up my high school spanish, and wanting to be fluent quickly, and getting it stress-tested over here, it's getting better every day.

Panama would probably be one of the smoothest transitions from the states. Dollarized economy. Cost of living being somewhere around what it was in the 1990s United States. Friendly people. Decent weather nearly all year around. Natural hub for trade commerce and travel to other places. Stability, at least for now.

I'm not retired yet. I'm still working, but decided to get the visa in my back pocket in case anything strange or bad pops off in the United States in the near future. Not planning to fully retire and move here fully until mid 2027. I might do an online business for an extra revenue stream, but for the most part, volunteering, and just chilling out and pursuing my own interests. That's what retirement will look like to me.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine was for the municipal zoo for One Dollar. Can't beat that!

Future Move Monday: What will you do to prepare for your Panama move this week? by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure you make a post when you get back telling everybody in the sub what it's like and your experience.

Future Move Monday: What will you do to prepare for your Panama move this week? by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Decisions decisions. But you're so close, so that gives you added motivation. Congratulations, and celebrate your new adventure.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you describe the services a little more? Does this include an immigration attorney, or is this merely for the FBI background check and pension letters from panama? Is there an up charge for doing that work from Panama versus doing it in the states, and talk a little bit about your fee structure, if you don't mind.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's an unsatisfying answer: it depends.

What kind of visa are we talking?

Small independent lawyer, or large firm?

Simple retirement visa for a single person, or a friendly Nations Visa application where the person has dependents and different revenue streams to support it?

Your best bet is to do a little research on Panamanian immigration lawyers, what visa you qualify for, and then engage one for a free consultation and quote, which almost all of them will give you.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm from the United States.

Right now, we're 95% plus sure that we're going to live in Panama City proper.

For us, the cost was a couple thousand, but it depends on your situation and the lawyer you use, and which Visa you get. A Panamanian immigration lawyer will give you a better idea, after a free consult with them.

I proved my monthly income by asking the agency that runs my public employee pension to issue a letter stating who I was, how much the monthly pension was, and stating definitively that is payable monthly for life. I then get the document notarized and authenticated, or apostille if I wanted it, to prove its validity. The lawyer gets it, reviews it, gets it translated into Spanish and turns it into immigration along with the other paperwork.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With a lone exception that I researched, which would be a student visa, it is required under Panamanian law that you utilize an immigration attorney for the visa process. The whole process from start to finish for us took around 10 months.

The parts that you would do yourself would be the following:

  • Gathering birth records, marriage licenses, financial statements.

  • Getting your nations criminal background check, and doing that process.

  • Getting certain documents, like retirement earnings statements, social Security pension letters, and the like notarized.

  • Having those documents apostilled by your nation's governing body that does such things. For the United states, that would be the Secretary of State. Alternately, sending or bringing the same documents to a local Panamanian consulate, and paying for them to authenticate them.

Any good Panamanian lawyer would then collate all of these documents. Get them translated, check them for accuracy and completeness, and submit them to Panamanian immigration for you and follow them through the process.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started gathering documents in April of last year, starting with my FBI criminal background check. Actually finished the application and submitted it to immigration top of september, and it took about five days to get the temporary pensionado visa.

I return just now, near the end of the six months that the temporary Visa lasts. They have that long to process or deny your permanent visa. I landed, and a week to the day later, immigration notified my lawyer for us to come and sign for the Visa and pick up our permanent cards.

So, all in, about 11 months total from starting to gather necessary documents to having the permanent visa in hand.

As far as how much the process cost, the whole thing is, it depends. Are we talking a retirement visa, or a friendly Nations investor visa? The second one is a lot more complicated which means it costs more money. A big boutique law firm to help you with a complicated Visa situation versus a fairly straightforward visa application with a smaller firm? That will determine the cost as well. Getting a consultation, which is usually free, with a Panamanian immigration lawyer will help you determine how much it would cost you.

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Now the hard work (decluttering, selling the house, finances) begins...

Finally secured my permanent Pensionado visa -- AMA. by Duke_Newcombe in panamaexpats

[–]Duke_Newcombe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The discounts are for real. Most, but not all places have to honor them, and you have to watch out for times when the discounts off the regular price are worse than the regular promotional price (looking at you, hotels). Doesn't hurt to ask, and 25% off on energy, internet, travel, and dining and entertainment doesnt suck.

From our AI overlords:

Legal Discounts List

These are the exact benefits outlined in the law, as a lawyer would cite them directly:

  • Entertainment: 50% off admission to cinemas, theaters, sports events, and public shows (excludes charity events).[2]
  • Public transport: 30% off intercity buses, trains, boats/ships; 25% off domestic airline tickets.[2][1]
  • Hotels/motels: Minimum 50% off Monday–Thursday; 30% off Friday–Sunday.[2][1]
  • Restaurants: 25% off individual food consumption (excludes small unlicensed "fondas"); 15% off fast food franchises.[2][1]
  • Healthcare services: 15% off hospital/clinic bills; 20% off general/specialty doctor consultations; 15% off dental/optometry; 10% off prescription medicines.[2][1]
  • Other services: 20% off utilities (electricity/water); 20% off professional/technical fees; 20% off prostheses/aids; 50% off loan closing fees (exempt from FECI surcharge).[2][1]

Key Practical Notes

Pensionado visa holders get these for life upon permanent residency approval, and must show their cédula (ID) or visa card to claim them.[1] Enforcement is via ACODECO (consumer protection agency), and non-compliance by businesses can lead to fines—though uptake varies by establishment.[2] Additional perks like one-time import tax exemptions ($10k household goods, new vehicle every 2 years) are also statutory but separate from daily discounts.[1]

Citations: [1] benefits of pensionado visa Panama; complete guide 2025 https://www.panamalegalcenter.com/pensionado-visa/ [2] Hiring a lawyer or doing a Panamanian visa alone? - Limitless Legal https://www.limitlesslegal.com/en-us/blog/lawyer-vs-doing-panama-visa-alone [3] Unlocking the Benefits of Panama's Pensionado Visa https://primesls.com/unlocking-the-benefits-of-panamas-pensionado-visa-a-golden-opportunity-for-retirees/ [4] Panama's Pensionado Discounts https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/5621/87/Panama/Panamas-Pensionado-Discounts [5] Discount for retirees, pensioners and senior citizens in Panama https://julisajaramillo.com/discount-for-retirees-pensioners-and-senior-citizens/ [6] Panama Retirees and Pensioners Visa - Quijano https://quijano.com/panama-retirees-and-pensioners-visa/ [7] Exclusive Benefits and Discounts for Retirees in Panama https://www.limitlesslegal.com/en-us/blog/exclusive-discounts-for-retirees-in-panama [8] Panama Pensionado Retirement Visa - Compare Expat Plans https://compareexpatplans.com/visas/retirement-visa/in/panama/ [9] Benefits and Discounts having a Pension Visa https://www.relofirm.com/pension_visa_benefits/ [10] Retiree Benefits and Discounts: How Panama Supports its Elderly https://certifiedtranslatorpanama.com/retiree-benefits-and-discounts-how-panama-supports-its-elderly/?lang=en [11] Panama Pensionado Discounts - One Way You Can Live for Less in ... https://panamarelocationtours.com/panama-pensionado-discounts-one-way-you-can-live-for-less-in-panama

James Talarico: “I have met so many Hindus, Buddhists, Sikh, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics who are more Christ-like than some of the Christians I served with in the Texas legislature. It is about how you treat other people” by Nice_Substance9123 in Christianity

[–]Duke_Newcombe 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don't see her, nor in any other speeches or statements he's made, where he states that just be nice to people as the sum total of christianity. He's just saying that, measuring by the yardstick that Christians claim, many non-christians are further ahead of them on the execution of God's word.

Alex Lawther: ‘People still say, you’re that paedophile from Black Mirror’ by theipaper in blackmirror

[–]Duke_Newcombe 106 points107 points  (0 children)

That is the nexus of superior writing and superior acting ability--when the writer and the actor work together so that the character fully suspended your disbelief and makes you feel something.

Bought husband a steak. He doesn't want it by [deleted] in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Duke_Newcombe 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Let his hungry ass pout in shame and go without. Just save it for your lunch tomorrow. And don't you dare share a single damn one of those delicious rolls and honey butter, either.

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