Professional Relocation Services in Panama

Orientations

  

From pre-move support at origin to ongoing support throughout the foreign assignment Sovereign Management goes beyond just showing the day-to-day expatriate basics. Our relocation services are personalized and tailored to you and your family’s needs and we provide a “one-stop shop” for everything connected to your move to Panama. Since we are a law firm, the many legal services that you will need are all provided in-house providing a single point-of-contact for the most critical elements of the move.

This is the scope of what we can cover in orientation:

• Country history • School selection • Residential areas • Culture & customs • Recreation, Clubs etc • Law and Security • Marketing and Shopping • Immigration services • Expense management

• Language courses • Medical facilities • Banking procedures • Transportation • Communication • Move management • Rental furniture • Business set up • Licences

Schools Assistance

The ongoing education of the children is a major concern while moving. We assist with identifying the right school by providing current information on types of curriculum available, school locations fees. We can also assist with finding playgroups, preschools and kindergartens for younger ones. We can accompany the family to prearranged interviews.

Documentation and Immigration Assistance

The timely processing of proper documentation for work and residence permits is critical to facilitating everything from shipment clearance to housing and from school registration to banking. We can assist you with all these services. Our in-house lawyers will guide you through the immigration process (go to immigration for further information or options), provide legal services in regards to purchase of a property (buy-sell contracts and title search), liaise with customs to clear imported household goods, set up bank introductions and provide local references to expedite the account opening as well as to assist in all areas of incorporating and setting up a business here in Panama including the acquisition of licences.

Home Search

We assist the family to view the homes that best suits their requirements. We use professional, reputable and licenced independent real estate agents. Although it is not always necessary, we provide a Sovereign consultant for the family on their home search this is particularly valuable at locations and in situations where:

• Lease negotiation is required (making sure the clauses in the contract protect the family and company)
• Language is a problem
• On the spot advise is wanted to facilitate an educated decision

In the case of the purchase of a home we can draw up all the necessary contractual paperwork, make escrow arrangements with a licenced fiduciary, do the necessary title investigation and in general ensure the smooth closing of the sale and transfer of title.

Rental Management

Throughout the assignment our real estate partner acts as the liaison between tenant and landlord. For moving into and out of the home Sovereign provides:

Temporary Accommodation

We can make arrangements for temporary housing if a short term assignment or for a temporary accommodation pending the rental or purchase of a more permanent abode.

Household Goods Shipping

We work in advance, with reputable moving companies to coordinate the packing, storing and shipping of the transferee's household effects all over the world. We maintain close contact with the moving companies, monitoring the status of the shipment and a timely delivery, keeping the company and the family advised throughout the process to final delivery and unpacking in the new home.

Pet handling and transfer

The pet is another very important member of the family. Our sympathetic pet handlers can arrange transfer, documentation and quarantine with a minimum of stress to both the pet and the family. Throughout the process the family will be kept informed.

Furniture Rental

While the family is waiting for their household effects to arrive we can arrange for short term furniture rental. Long term furniture rental is also available or as an alternative long term furnished apartment rentals can be located.

Car rental or Purchase

We can coordinate the rental, lease or purchase of a car for the duration of the foreign assignment and also arrange the wholesale purchase of a car for USA or European bound transferees prior to their departure.

"Handyman" Service

Can be arranged. On arrival these services ensures a functional new home. On departure they can be handy to assist in the minor repairs that could impede rental deposit return.

Insurance

Once the marine policy, which covers the household effects shipment lapses upon delivery, we can provide comprehensive home insurance as well as vehicle insurance through Panama’s largest and most reputable local insurance company.

Legal Services

For most people unfamiliar with Panamanian law and local bureaucratic procedures, not to mention any added difficulty posed by unfamiliarity with Spanish, the services of one of Sovereign’s lawyers will be needed to expedite the following:

1. Immigration and Residency
2. Rental of a residence
3. Customs clearance of household goods
4. Importation of pets
5. Incorporation of a business and acquisition of a business licence
6. Office search and commercial lease negotiations
7. Assistance with Panama’s labour laws including the preparation of labour contracts and the necessary filings with Panama’s social security department
8. Assistance in compliance with local business tax laws.
9. In the event a home is to be purchased, provide all the necessary legal support to ensure the title to be transferred is good and clear along with buy-sell contracts, escrow arrangements, title registration etc.

Standardised Packages

1. A one-day exploratory trip to learn first hand the ease and security of living and doing business in Panama and obtain a general orientation of the “lay of the land” along with important contacts. It could include introduction to schools, medical facilities, shopping, prime real estate locations, or whatever else would be a priority for the client.

2. A two or three day more in depth orientation package either for the single family or perhaps for a company, its employees and their families for the location of temporary housing and business locations and orientation to essential services like schools, hospitals, shopping and real estate along with the provision of business contacts and immigration counselling.

3. House hunting consisting of identification of requirements prior to arrival, area orientation tour for housing and (if necessary) schools, identification of properties that meet the specific price and accommodation requirements, and assistance with lease negotiation, inspections and "walk through" inspection.

4. Getting settled – including assistance in connecting utilities and making the required deposits, assistance in identification of and enrolment in the best schools for your children, assistance in obtaining bank accounts, a car, drivers license, healthcare, and insurance, and cross cultural counselling for the new social and business environment.

Summary

We have all the in-house expertise to coordinate all aspects of your move to Panama and the capacity to act as a “one-stop shop” for all of the many different legal and other services that will be needed to ensure a hassle and stress free relocation.