Hello,
I have just made tentative inquires about the cost of acquiring a Pensionado Visa - should I want to apply for one in the future.
I received a message back from a lawyer in Panama quoting $3250. I'm just the one person with no dependants. Could anyone recommend a lawyer that could assist me? I would just like to get a few quotes to compare.
Thanks in advance,
David.
Replies
David, when you are contacting lawyers for Pensioado or any other type of residency application ask them to itemize process, charges and legal fees to ensure you are getting the global cost as some might not include all out of pocket costs to you in their quote.
Website Kraemerlaw.com. They are in David as well as in PC. You can see te fees on their website incl. government fees. They are very accurate and good.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for that. As coincidence would have it, I have been in communication with them for the past couple of days. They have said they can do the whole thing for $1600. The application is only for me by the way.
I asked if the fees included a medical check in Panama, and they said yes it does. It does not include obtaining a Cedula though. Overall, the fees seem reasonable and they have promptly answered my questions. It's encouraging what you have said about them, so thanks.
David.
Medical check is a rubber stamp.
If you’re going to be staying permanently, an E-Cédula is worthwhile obtaining. The card that comes with a Pensionado visa is not an acceptable form of Identification.
Thanks Robert and Keith.
The E-Cedula is not so important. Only if you buy a car and you do it initially with your passport number to register your car. If you get a new passport with another number you will have difficulty to sell your car. Paperwork and time involved. If you register wih the E-Cedula no future paper work hassle. Our passports were valid for 2 more years before we left Saint Lucia. We took a new one to make it easier with a validity for 10 years.
I was still working at the time, so I had to go the Friendly Nations route, instead of Pensionado.
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1) In August of 2015 I gave $1100.00 to a Boquete lawyer who used to post on this board and all he would do is shake my hand. Translation: Major Scumbag. Also lost several hundred more to his recommended schemes before I realized he was a crook.
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2) Then I found a David lawyer, who has posted on this Board as well. He got my temporada / carnet ( the big part but not quite the full residency ) done for around $2600 or $2800 [ in addition to $1200.00 or so to Panama ]. Not a very good price I think, especially as I had already had my required ( for FN ) Panamanian corporation set up. We had a falling out over a real estate deal and he refused to finish my residency without $1100.00 more and an apology. But he got neither from me, as I had grown weary of a constant stream of epithets from him via email. Not a stable person at all, but very good at what he does. Very thorough. He has never had a client fail to get their residency - even those with a criminal record in AL where they do not do expungements. I don't know how he does it.
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3) Next up, this time to just finish my residency after getting my carnet from #2, was another David lawyer, who seemed at first like a nice guy. But then I found out he was listed as #3 worst lawyer in Chiriqui by the mailing list, with a horrible reputation of ripping people off. I had flown back to Panama City from the US but he wanted me there at the migracion office to line up at 4 AM. I had set my phone to airplane mode, and missed this instruction. Even though I met him there at 9 AM, he refused to finish my residency despite having $900.00 of my money and a contract to do so. As I was complaining loudly about same, the little punk then threatened to "beat me", LOL. He never even transferred himself to the attorney of record for me. I filed a denuncia for the threat but never followed up.
4) But, anticipating this above trouble from his later text messages, I had prayed up before-hand - before going to migracion office and God provided me the chance opportunity to meet a young lawyer who would finish my residency for - get this - $100.00 ! I can refer this young PC lawyer ( Manuel Vergara ) to anyone who wants to save considerable money if you will message me on NING about his contact info. He is an extremely nice guy.
Now I note that there are a couple of lawyers recommended somewhat early in this thread. But I cannot recommend either because one never would get back to me regarding any interest in completing the last stage, and the second explained that she would not help because of "ethics" in transferring the work from previous attorneys. I pointed out the hypocrisy in that statement to her - "ethics" - I guess meaning honoring the dishonesty of *some* Panamanian lawyers. I am sure these latter 2 are very good and helpful to expats as may be seen by the glowing reviews above, it's just that mileage seems to greatly vary depending on the client situation or, say, the phase of the moon.
Bottom line, keep your guard up. Lawyers aren't really regulated in Panama. It can be a rough process for some.
Major thanks for taking the time to post this. There are lawyers in Boquete that reflect what you wrote, and we are muzzled about commenting. One of them even tried to get a Cuban deported! She is expensive and vindictive. This is one area where choosing the wrong person can make your life miserable. Doesn't seem to be much accountability here, as these folks are still in business.
Hello Jack,
I'm truly sorry that you had these awful experiences - nobody deserves to be treated that way. Why some people don't play fair I'll never know.
David that sounds a little pricey to me. We used Monica Isaza. She has a office in David and she does come to Boquete. We were very impressed with her. She was organized and gave you a complete list of all your expenses and she speaks English. We never had a problem. Plus she knows everyone in the immigration office that is a big plus. Here's her info.
monica Isaza
507-6206-3486
US and Canada. 904-584-7421
her email is Isaza.monica@gmail.com
Good luck
Becky
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