Work for Canadian trained Physician

[Chad Burkhart]

Can A Canadian trained doctor work in one of the private hospitals?

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Chad,

Thanks for visiting the Panama Insider forum. Medical professions are restricted to Panamanians, unfortunately. This is the case in many Latin American countries. Nurses in Panama rarely earn more than $600 to $800 a month, so the wages are not comparable to the U.S. or Canada (The cost of living is low here, so wages are also low). Most of the expats that move here find there are many creative ways to parlay their skills into an income abroad. Many work as consultants or independently (often online) and some even start their own businesses.

You will find lots of great information in International Living’s free Fund Your Life Overseas mailings (visit the IL website http://www.internationalliving.com to learn more and sign up at no cost).

Don’t hesitate to post again (create separate threads for unrelated topics).

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor

[Chad Burkhart]

If a Canadian gets residency status does that qualify them as a Panamanian?

Would it be possible for a Canadian doctor to see and treat Canadians that are in Panama?

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

No, only citizenship, not residence, qualifies one as a Panamanian national. Most of the Canadian expats that live in Panama are residents, not citizens. That means they do not hold Panamanian passports, or vote in Panamanian elections, nor can they hold certain positions (such as those in the medical profession) that are reserved for nationals.

While it is possible to become a nationalized citizen of Panama, it takes at least 7 years to do so and naturally you would need to pass the citizenship test in Spanish. Then there would be an additional rigorous process to get your medical qualifications certified or validated by pertinent authorities here, possibly you would have to satisfy additional requirements before being legal to practice medicine here.

It is not legal for a Canadian doctor who is not a Panamanian citizen to treat Canadians or patients of any other nationality on Panamanian soil, unless perhaps said doctor is doing volunteer work via an approved organization (in which case the patients would be underprivileged Panamanians).

[Chad Burkhart]

Thanks Jessica. Are you aware of any Central American countries where this is not the case?

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Unfortunately Chad, I am not aware, as I specialize in Panama, but if you could kindly post that question on the broader IL Community forum, which is free access, then my fellow editors in Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and on the island of Roatan will be happy to chime in. Please visit https://internationalliving.com/community/ to post. Hope this helps.

Best,

[Author]

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