I wanted to know what kind of work/jobs need a work permit. How strict is it. Is someone able to do voluntary work, help out, work with tips etc or do they all need a work permit. I know different countries have different rules. I think i was told it was ok for that here but i'm not sure anymore.
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Or provide a service for free but then at what point is it considered working. You can accept donations with the right intentions but depends how it is viewed. People will say its wrong, the immigration could say either also. Its difficult. This is the issue everywhere.
Pensionados are not allowed to work however, they can volunteer.
Working for tips is not customary except for the bag boys at supermarkets.
The work permit rules here in Panama are strict however they're not enforced here in Boquete. View the numerous expat sites (including Ning) and social groups on the internet as well as the email based news feeds and you'll see dozens of expats with pensionado visas without work permits advertising their services. Some of these people have been doing this for years so it's safe to say there's zero enforcement.
You MUST have a work permit to work in Panama. Volunteering for a charity or charitable organization is not considered working...even though I know a lot of people who put in a lot of hard working hours for charities. You can go to the https://www.panamatramita.gob.pa/.../ministerio-de-trabajo-y-desar.... information is here.