Comments on: More 30 Day Visa Questions http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:22:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: KK http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23029 KK Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:28:06 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23029 Petra, I am sorry if I offended you. My comment was not a personal barb and I am sure you did not take it that way, just want make that clear. Anyhow, for us, the idea of handing over $40,000 (or $80,000 for the super duper reforestation program) left too much to chance due to the fact that the any 'return' was so far out into the future (our opinion only) and we simply weren't ready to make that commitment. We felt that your operation itself (forest management, organic composting etc) seemed very efficient & well organized. The 'shady' comment was directed at the financial end of it and again, this was my personal opinion of same. I hope that you are successful in your endeavors and the trees are growing well. Perhaps this program will work well for some seeking residency status in Panama. Your business should become more robust since the government's recent tightening of tourist visa status forces the issue. Best Regards, KK Petra,
I am sorry if I offended you. My comment was not a personal barb and I am sure you did not take it that way, just want make that clear. Anyhow, for us, the idea of handing over $40,000 (or $80,000 for the super duper reforestation program) left too much to chance due to the fact that the any ‘return’ was so far out into the future (our opinion only) and we simply weren’t ready to make that commitment.
We felt that your operation itself (forest management, organic composting etc) seemed very efficient & well organized.
The ’shady’ comment was directed at the financial end of it and again, this was my personal opinion of same.
I hope that you are successful in your endeavors and the trees are growing well.
Perhaps this program will work well for some seeking residency status in Panama. Your business should become more robust since the government’s recent tightening of tourist visa status forces the issue.
Best Regards,
KK

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23027 Don Ray Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:59:07 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23027 Hi Petra - Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Personally I have always thought the reforestation visa was a good way to go if one could afford it. You are definitely helping Panama in an environmental way and the world needs more of that. KK will have to respond to his comment. Hi Petra - Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Personally I have always thought the reforestation visa was a good way to go if one could afford it. You are definitely helping Panama in an environmental way and the world needs more of that.

KK will have to respond to his comment.

]]> By: Petra http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23026 Petra Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:45:54 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-23026 I would like to hear more from you why you felt the deal "shady" and I am very happy to answer questions and concerns publicly. We are one of the most experienced reforestation companies in Panama and Latin America, are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and CCBA, and have been voted "Best Forest Investment in Latin America" by the Dutch Rating Agency SICIREC. We have tight strings to the Yale University, to the Smithsonian Tropical Institute and to the Worldbank, Organizations who would certainly not work with us if we wouldn't survive their tough due diligence. Our reforestation program is the most ecological in Panama (multiculture with native species) and our ecological and social approach has brought us the Metafore Innovation Award for improved social, financial and ecological results. Metafore is backed up by prestigious organizations such as Bank of America and Toyota. We certainly don't offer "side deals" and all our company information is public to our investors. I am sure I can give answers to all your concerns but would ask you not to make public accusations you cannot back up. Should any of our employees have tried to offer "shade side deals" we would take action right away because this definitely is not our philosophy. Thank you! Petra Kollmannsberger Futuro Forestal I would like to hear more from you why you felt the deal “shady” and I am very happy to answer questions and concerns publicly. We are one of the most experienced reforestation companies in Panama and Latin America, are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and CCBA, and have been voted “Best Forest Investment in Latin America” by the Dutch Rating Agency SICIREC. We have tight strings to the Yale University, to the Smithsonian Tropical Institute and to the Worldbank, Organizations who would certainly not work with us if we wouldn’t survive their tough due diligence.

Our reforestation program is the most ecological in Panama (multiculture with native species) and our ecological and social approach has brought us the Metafore Innovation Award for improved social, financial and ecological results. Metafore is backed up by prestigious organizations such as Bank of America and Toyota.

We certainly don’t offer “side deals” and all our company information is public to our investors. I am sure I can give answers to all your concerns but would ask you not to make public accusations you cannot back up. Should any of our employees have tried to offer “shade side deals” we would take action right away because this definitely is not our philosophy. Thank you!

Petra Kollmannsberger
Futuro Forestal

]]> By: KK http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22881 KK Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:17:18 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22881 Hmm, Reforestation,, We looked into that and felt the deal shady at best. Even while travelling the back roads of Las Lajas, we were offered "side deals" to make the whole thing more appealing. We backed off right away. 25 years is along time to wait for return (Yes,,, YES I understand they 'trim' the trees before that but.... Oh well, If you have to throw 40K down for residency status, consider it a 'no strings' gift to the overlords here and you won't lose any sleep over it. KK Hmm,
Reforestation,, We looked into that and felt the deal shady at best. Even while travelling the back roads of Las Lajas, we were offered “side deals” to make the whole thing more appealing. We backed off right away. 25 years is along time to wait for return (Yes,,, YES I understand they ‘trim’ the trees before that but….
Oh well, If you have to throw 40K down for residency status, consider it a ‘no strings’ gift to the overlords here and you won’t lose any sleep over it.
KK

]]> By: Sofia http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22638 Sofia Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:09:37 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22638 Shameless marketing. I am a resident because i married into the Panamanian culture. For those that are not lucky enough to be bitten by the Latino love bug or of age to qualify for the pension visa, there is another option. My sister moved to Panama last year and got residency through a forestry visa. This is the cheapest way to get an investors visa and the only way to truly give back to this country in a positive manner. Reforestation brings money to the rural areas of Panama where it is desperately needed. The Panamanian campo absolutely does not see a piece of the real estate boom pie that the city and the upper class of Panama are enjoying right now. With a $40,000 investment in a visa package from Futuro Forestal (<a href="http://www.futuroforestal.com" rel="nofollow">www.futuroforestal.com</a>) you then present the documents and title of ownership and the normal bureaucracy begins to register residency status. But from that moment on, you are given temporary documents and absolutely legal to stay. We could not have been happier with this investment as my sister and I are now reunited and working together but we feel like we own something lovely in Panama at the same time, offsetting our lifelong carbon emissions and helping the people of Panama. AND my future nieces and nephews will come into a lucrative college fund when the forest is harvested in 25 years!! Shameless marketing. I am a resident because i married into the Panamanian culture. For those that are not lucky enough to be bitten by the Latino love bug or of age to qualify for the pension visa, there is another option. My sister moved to Panama last year and got residency through a forestry visa. This is the cheapest way to get an investors visa and the only way to truly give back to this country in a positive manner. Reforestation brings money to the rural areas of Panama where it is desperately needed. The Panamanian campo absolutely does not see a piece of the real estate boom pie that the city and the upper class of Panama are enjoying right now.

With a $40,000 investment in a visa package from Futuro Forestal (http://www.futuroforestal.com) you then present the documents and title of ownership and the normal bureaucracy begins to register residency status. But from that moment on, you are given temporary documents and absolutely legal to stay. We could not have been happier with this investment as my sister and I are now reunited and working together but we feel like we own something lovely in Panama at the same time, offsetting our lifelong carbon emissions and helping the people of Panama. AND my future nieces and nephews will come into a lucrative college fund when the forest is harvested in 25 years!!

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22586 Don Ray Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:37:28 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22586 Caryl, Things can always change, but the pensionado visa backed by the pension from the US government has always been the easiest one to obtain. I still enjoy everything about Panama and for others that enjoy it, I think it is a great place to be. There are ways to protect ones property so that it will be passed on following ones death. When you purchase a home make sure the lawyer knows that you want to protect your asset for your children. Caryl, Things can always change, but the pensionado visa backed by the pension from the US government has always been the easiest one to obtain. I still enjoy everything about Panama and for others that enjoy it, I think it is a great place to be.

There are ways to protect ones property so that it will be passed on following ones death. When you purchase a home make sure the lawyer knows that you want to protect your asset for your children.

]]> By: CARYL KRAVETTE http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22584 CARYL KRAVETTE Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:23:31 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22584 Don, If I understand your reply , My husband and I both receive social security from the US goverment does that make us eligible for the pensionado visa? What happens with a home you purchase in case of death can you leave it to you children? My husband and I are planning on comming to Panama in August to look for a home, are we wsting our time? Thank you for your time and patience , I am looking forward to meeting you when we are in panama. Keep up the great work Don,

If I understand your reply , My husband and I both receive social security from the US goverment does that make us eligible for the pensionado visa? What happens with a home you purchase in case of death can you leave it to you children?

My husband and I are planning on comming to Panama in August to look for a home, are we wsting our time?

Thank you for your time and patience , I am looking forward to meeting you when we are in panama.

Keep up the great work

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22529 Don Ray Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:18:14 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22529 Well that certainly would be one way. However, it would be a way that I thought long and hard about before I did it. I would want any money or property I might own in Panama to have the ability to pass on to my heirs in the case of my death. It is my understanding that money in single name bank accounts become the property of the bank in the event of the account holder's death. I am not sure but what that may be the case with with the $200,000 you would invest as stated above. If a person has a pension from the US government or a another well established pension, then the pensionado visa should be an option. For people with just money in accounts around the world, things are now more difficult. These are questions that you have to discuss with a good lawyer. I think the lawyers are going to be making a lot more money now. Well that certainly would be one way. However, it would be a way that I thought long and hard about before I did it. I would want any money or property I might own in Panama to have the ability to pass on to my heirs in the case of my death.

It is my understanding that money in single name bank accounts become the property of the bank in the event of the account holder’s death. I am not sure but what that may be the case with with the $200,000 you would invest as stated above.

If a person has a pension from the US government or a another well established pension, then the pensionado visa should be an option. For people with just money in accounts around the world, things are now more difficult. These are questions that you have to discuss with a good lawyer. I think the lawyers are going to be making a lot more money now.

]]> By: CARYL KRAVETTE http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22525 CARYL KRAVETTE Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:49:19 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22525 I am very confused, does all this mean that I will not be able to retire in Panama, do I have to deposit $200.00.00 in a bank in Panama to be eligible to live there. I am very confused, does all this mean that I will not be able to retire in Panama, do I have to deposit $200.00.00 in a bank in Panama to be eligible to live there.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22513 Don Ray Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:03:11 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/06/06/more-30-day-visa-questions/#comment-22513 Doug - I am sorry that your conversation with your lawyer went the way it sounds. One can only hope that cooler heads will prevail and more intelligent administration of the visas will come about. Doug - I am sorry that your conversation with your lawyer went the way it sounds. One can only hope that cooler heads will prevail and more intelligent administration of the visas will come about.

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