u/Lupus115

I'm a 20-year-old Saudi national planning a permanent move to Panama within the next 5 to 7 years. I'll be working as an online strength and conditioning coach (own business, foreign income). Currently building my client base and earning certifications (CSCS, TSAC-F).

I'm looking at the Friendly Nations Visa as my pathway. I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this process recently:

1. Friendly Nations Visa requirements: Is the ~$3,000/month income requirement strictly from a single source, or can it be combined across coaching, content, etc.? Any tips on documentation?

2. Banking as a non-resident: Any recommendations for banks that work well for expats setting up before permanent residency?

3. Areas to live: I want nature access (mountains, forests, coast) more than city life. Boquete and El Valle keep coming up. Any other hidden gems?

4. Learning Spanish: What level would you say is necessary for daily life outside Panama City? I'm willing to put in the work, just want a realistic target.

5. Things you wish you'd known before moving: Anything you'd tell your younger self?

Thanks for any insight. I'm trying to set myself up for a smooth transition years from now.

Hey everyone,

I'm a 20M from Saudi Arabia, and I'm putting together a long-term plan to move to Switzerland for a Master's degree and eventually build a career there in performance training and injury prevention (prehab). I'd really appreciate your honest feedback. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

A bit about me:

1. I'll complete my Bachelor's in Kinesiology first (3-4 years)

2. After that, I'll earn my CSCS and Tactical S&C (TSAC-F) certifications. Those are my main focus.

3. I'll also pick up Athletic Training or Corrective Exercise Specialist as a secondary skill.

4. I'll be building an online coaching business along the way.

5. And yes, I'm fully willing to learn the local language (German, French, or Italian) depending on which canton I end up in.

What I want to do:

Work as a performance coach specializing in prehab, keeping people moving well and preventing injuries before they happen. I'm open to working with anyone: regular gym-goers, tactical athletes (military/first responders), even Olympic-level if I get there.

My rough plan:

Apply for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship (Saudi government) to fund a Master's in Human Movement and Sports Sciences in Switzerland. After graduating, use the 6-month job search permit to find work and hopefully get an employer to sponsor my work visa.

What I'm hoping you can help with:

1. Does this path actually make sense? What are the hidden traps for a non-EU person?

2. Is there real demand for a coach with a CSCS, Tactical S&C, and a prehab focus?

3. Which parts of Switzerland have the strongest sports science scene for this kind of work?

4. Be real with me. Would I face any cultural or professional barriers as a Middle Eastern guy in this field?

And if Switzerland seems unrealistic, I'm open to hearing about other European countries that might work better (or non-European countries as well).

Thanks in advance for any brutally honest advice. I can take it.