• Indian ordinary passport holders normally require a Stamped Visa to enter Panama.
• Panama does not issue an eVisa.
• The application must be submitted personally.
• Applications from India are handled through the Consulate General of Panama in Mumbai.
• Passport must have at least 6 months validity under the India-specific Consulate checklist.
• The passport must have at least one completely blank page for the visa.
• Copies of the entire passport are required, including blank pages and covers.
• Main and last passport pages must be notarised under the India-specific checklist.
• Aadhaar Card is required.
• Aadhaar must be translated into Spanish by an authorised translator and notarised.
• Flight itinerary / electronic ticket is required.
• Hotel booking should be provided where applicable.
• Three passport photographs are required.
Photo Size:
35 × 45 mm
Background:
White
• Minimum financial solvency:
USD 500
The applicant must demonstrate at least USD 500 equivalent in available financial resources.
• Bank documents must comply with the Consulate's translation/notarisation rules.
• Personal interview is required.
• Original documents must be carried to the Consulate.
• Except for the passport, documents listed by the India Consulate generally need to be translated into Spanish and notarised.
Financial Evidence:
Minimum:
USD 500
Accepted evidence may include:
Bank certification
Bank statements for the last 3 months
Other acceptable evidence of income.
Bank statements used for the application must be translated into Spanish and notarised according to the India Consulate instructions.
The economic amount should also be converted into US dollars by the bank/competent institution.
For Employed Applicants:
Provide:
• Employment letter
• Latest salary/payment slip
• Recent bank statements
The employment documentation should be translated into Spanish and notarised where required.
For Self-Employed Applicants:
Provide:
• Business ownership / registration evidence
• Bank reference
• Business financial evidence
• Personal financial evidence.
Additional documents may be requested by the National Migration Service.
For Retired Applicants:
Provide:
• Pension / retirement certificate
• Proof of pension payments
• Financial evidence.
The retirement documentation should be translated into Spanish and notarised.
For Sponsored / Financially Dependent Applicants:
Provide:
• Letter of financial responsibility
• Proof of relationship
• Sponsor's financial solvency evidence.
Documents must meet applicable Spanish translation and notarisation requirements.
Hotel Booking:
Required/recommended for normal hotel-based tourism.
The India Consulate checklist lists hotel reservation where applicable.
Return / Onward Ticket:
Required.
Applicants must provide travel itinerary/electronic ticket showing their travel arrangements.
Invitation Letter:
Not required for a normal hotel-based tourist.
If invited by a person in Panama, additional documents from the inviter may be required, including:
Panamanian identity documentation
Passport
Address evidence
Financial evidence.
Corporate invitations require additional company registration and financial documents.
Travel Medical Insurance:
Not listed as a standard mandatory Panama Stamped Visa document in the current India Consulate checklist.
However, comprehensive international medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Aadhaar Card:
Mandatory under the current Panama Consulate India checklist.
It must be translated into Spanish and notarised.
PAN Card:
Not listed as mandatory.
Police Clearance Certificate:
Not listed as a standard Tourist Visa requirement.
Biometrics:
No VFS-style biometric process is published.
Personal appearance/interview is required.
IMPORTANT – PANAMA VISA EXEMPTION FOR INDIANS:
An Indian ordinary passport holder who would normally require a Panama visa may qualify for visa-free entry if they hold a valid visa or qualifying residence issued by:
• United States of America
• Canada
• Australia
• Republic of Korea / South Korea
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• Singapore
• Any European Union Member State.
IMPORTANT 2024 RULE CHANGE:
Older Panama guidance required the qualifying visa to:
• Be Multiple Entry
• Have been previously used to enter the issuing country
• Have at least 6 months validity remaining.
However, Executive Decree No. 196 of 28 October 2024 amended Article 2 of Executive Decree No. 521.
The updated rule published by the Embassy of Panama states that the traveller must hold a qualifying visa that is valid when entering Panama.
Therefore Tripex should NOT automatically reject a customer merely because their qualifying visa:
Has not previously been used
OR
Has less than 6 months remaining
OR
is not Multiple Entry,
without first applying the current October 2024 rule.
Visa-Exempt Traveller Requirements:
A qualifying Indian traveller should carry:
• Valid Indian passport
• Valid qualifying foreign visa/residence documentation
• Round-trip ticket
• Proof of financial solvency of at least USD 500
• Accommodation information
• Supporting travel documents.
Allowed Stay under Visa Exemption:
Maximum 30 days.
Passport Validity for Visa Exemption:
The latest general Panama Embassy guidance states a minimum passport validity of 3 months.
However, the Panama Consulate in India currently asks Indian travellers/applicants to maintain 6 months validity.
Tripex Recommendation:
Use 6 months minimum passport validity for Indian customers to minimise airline and immigration issues.
