India to Panama visa requirements

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Panama for tourism. The default route is a stamped consular tourist visa (about USD 60) applied for in advance at the Panama Consulate in Mumbai. Important exemption: if you hold a valid, previously-used multiple-entry visa from the USA, Canada, UK, an EU/Schengen state, Australia, Japan, South Korea or Singapore with at least 6 months validity remaining, you may enter visa-free as a tourist under Executive Decree 196 (2024). As of 2026, Indian citizens holding an ordinary passport require a visa to visit Panama for tourism. Panama is NOT in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply to entry into Panama (though a Schengen visa can be used as an exemption document). The standard path is a stamped (authorized) tourist visa obtained beforehand from the Consulate General of Panama in Mumbai; the fee is USD 60 (USD 50 visa + USD 10 consular charge) and processing can take up to roughly 3 months, so apply early. All supporting documents (Aadhaar, bank statement, employment letter) must be translated into Spanish and notarized, and applicants must show proof of funds (around USD 500 minimum referenced by the consulate). A major exemption exists under Executive Decree 196 of 28 October 2024: an Indian national who holds a valid multiple-entry visa issued by Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, any EU member state, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, or Singapore can enter Panama visa-free as a tourist, provided the visa is multiple-entry, has already been used at least once in the issuing country, and has at least 6 months validity remaining on the date of entry to Panama. The same exemption applies to holders of permanent residence in those countries. Tourist stays are typically granted for up to 30 days on arrival, extendable through Panama's immigration service up to 90 days total. Because the default tourist channel requires a pre-arranged consular visa, the conservative verdict is visa-required; travelers who qualify for the exemption should carry strong evidence of the qualifying visa and its prior use.