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Interesting set of 4 articles today + video on the homepage of www.nacion.com, the national newspaper of Costa Rica.

Today's front page story is about online poker players moving out of the US due to Black Friday, the Poker Refugees concept and a factual summarization/explanation of BF.

We think this was a positive story to have come out in CR, since the perception that many Costa Ricans have of the online poker industry is a negative one based on images of the local authorities raiding AP/UB and local PokerStars offices soon after Black Friday. Others were under the impression that poker players were only moving to avoid taxation in the US, also an erroneous conclusion that we are glad was negated today in the national media.

Direct Links: (all in Spanish; recommended to use Chrome or google to translate to your local language)

Main Article: http://www.nacion.com/2012-09-23/ElP...-Internet.aspx

Poker Refugees: http://www.nacion.com/2012-09-23/ElP...is-meses-.aspx

Black Friday: http://www.nacion.com/2012-09-23/ElP...-apuestas.aspx

Favorite Destinations for Poker Players: http://www.nacion.com/2012-09-23/ElP...favoritos.aspx

Video & Multimedia: http://www.nacion.com/2012-09-23/ElP...aspx#proyector

~Kristin

Did Thailand ever get added?

Hi rage4dorder

We do not offer Thailand as a full relocation but we can offer a customized service for you. Please drop us a line at info@pokerrefugees.com and we'll talk.

Regards


Nicki

Due to Thai laws, banking system and Moneybookers policies, Thailand is not the ideal destination for your first relocation.

However, if you are from a country other than the US or already have your online poker structure set up from a previous relocation (Stars, banking etc), Thailand is a good option for rental properties, fun and quality of life.

Kristin

Just agreed to terms to rent a house in Windsor Ontario starting December 1st. I like 15 minutes outside of Detroit and will be driving back and forth most days because I have a family back here.

Will they give me trouble at the border for crossing so much? I should just be honest and tell them I have a house renting to play online poker, right?

First step, apply for a Nexus (Fast) Pass if you can pass the background check (i.e. no criminal offenses, etc.). It takes a month or so for the initial application, then you schedule an in person appointment, and get your card mailed to your US address several weeks after that.

++++life EV

Looks like that pass takes foreverrrrr to get, and even if I apply right now, im still faced with the same questions for minimum another month or two.

Anyone moved to Malta and can share his/her experience? my plan is to move there next year in spring.

It doesn't mean don't try crossing if you don't have Nexus, just that it will make your life a ton easier if you plan on crossing with any frequency at a place that has Nexus lanes. Search function is your friend for Canada crossing threads (there's at least two with a lot of info/TRs).

HI GREEAR10

Poker Refugees would not recommend it's clients to cross the border frequently this will definitely raise flags with immigration.

We recently added Malta as a Refugees destination. It is popular among EU citizens because they can enter and exit freely without a visa.

For US citizens, it's a bit uncomfortable because you can only stay 180 days per calendar year, and that is split into 90 day periods. So you can stay 90 days per 6 months.

If you are a US citizen and you're interested in doing that then traveling over to another European country, it could work for you.

If you're from a different country then the parameters change.

Overall, people love living in Malta. The weather is nice, the property rental prices are modest and the internet is pretty good. There is also a party atmosphere to partake in.

^K

Originally Posted by GREEAR10
Just agreed to terms to rent a house in Windsor Ontario starting December 1st. I like 15 minutes outside of Detroit and will be driving back and forth most days because I have a family back here.

Will they give me trouble at the border for crossing so much? I should just be honest and tell them I have a house renting to play online poker, right?

However, no one (not us, not an immigration attorney, etc) has any control over what the immigration's actions or decisions will be because each officer has the power to make his decisions based on anything or nothing.

Under all circumstances we expressly condone telling the truth to immigration.

In the past year-and-a-half we have heard a handful of issues from people driving back and forth across the border frequently to play online poker who call us with problems, but in no way does that indicate that you definitely will or won't. This all depends on the immigration officer and how strict the border is that you will be crossing.

The most important thing is to be polite and tell the truth, as we know players have been banned from Canada for trying to lie or beat around the bush so to speak.

They may also limit your visa so definitely don't overstay if they do.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes as your experience can contribute to other players' situations.

^K

There are people who work in Canada everyday that live in the U.S.

Do they have some sort of special work pass? Would I be able to apply for one of those?

Also thought about applying foe duel citizenship. Admittedly I still need to do a bunch of research into that.

lol America. Home of the free.

We will ask our immigration atty but most of the people who do that probably have a work permit, which is very hard to get for poker and is only possible in 1 of the provinces.

It depends what your goal is of getting the dual citizenship. To play poker abroad, it's not necessary.

If you want to stop paying taxes in the US, that is a process that takes >10 years.

If you want to live somewhere long term, you can accomplish that with a temporary residency permit in many countries without affecting your US citizenship status.

How hard is it to open a bank account in Panama and how hard is it to bring pets with you on a move?

Opening a bank account in Panama is pretty difficult and can take from 1-2 months for the process to be completed. We have identified a few law firms in Panama who help with this. They charge anywhere from $500-1,500 to open a bank account for clients. So if you're patient, it is possible. Depending on the client's needs and budget we can source a lawyer to assist with this process.

The issue with banking is that the US government puts a lot of pressure on countries such as CR and Panama in theory to prevent money laundering. This usually results in headaches for the rest of us participating in normal, legal businesses because of all the requirements. Alas, the US has a broad reach of making certain aspects of life difficult - even outside of the country. However, that's why we started this business to build these aspects into our service and help people accomplish what they need.

Bringing pets to a foreign country have certain requirements such as immunization shots and sometimes customs duties paid upon arrival. We have documents for how to bring pets to Panama and Costa Rica but that is usually something provided for clients doing a full relocation service through us to the country so I can't post it here.

It's a bit of a mission to bring pets but certainly attainable. We have a lot of clients with cats and dogs. One brought 4 cats with him and made 2 trips to bring them all, so that was the most pets we have helped bring in at once.

^K

Thanks for the response ^_^

I currently live in Oregon, so Vancouver seems like the best option, especially since I love the climate and people of this area. Also would probably make moving the pets easier since it's just a car ride away. The only downside is that I've heard the cost of living is pretty high there and I won't have a lot of money at first.

Is it fairly easy to open a bank account in Canada at least?

Yes; the pro side is it's much more straight forward to open an account in Canada.

On the con side, cost of living is considerably higher in Canada compared with the rest of the Americas. Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada if not the most expensive.

It is more affordable to live in the outskirts of the city in suburbs an hour or so away, so that could be an option for you.

But, in downtown Vancouver, prices can easily be $2,000-3,000/month for a furnished studio apt, and only about 20% of properties accept pets.

Could you give me a rough estimate on how long it would take to relocate and be up and running with a poker site in Malta?

I am from Greece (EU citizen, for now :P) and there is a chance that come December 6th I won't have access to any major poker site.

Thanks!

Hello, I'm not sure I understand the question... will you want to play on a poker site or start a poker site?

We help people move very quickly... a few weeks but can expedite the process if you need it.

Once you are in Malta, you will be playing poker the first day.

Do you want help with this?

^Kristin

That's what I needed to hear

I will send you an email for further details, if I go through with this I 'll definitely require your services.