Travel to Latin America
Visas
Earlier, visa was the single most important obstacle for business with Latin America. But now all the Latin American embassies have liberalised the procedures and are giving visas quickly.
No need for visa to visit Panama from july 2009
Indian business visitors holding US or Schengen visas do not need visa to visit Panama under a Presidential decree issued in July 2009. The decree is for all foreigners including Indians. The visitors can stay for 30 days during each visit.
With this liberalisation by Panama, the whole region of Latin America has become accessible for Indian business visitors. Panama is the fourth country in Latin America after Ecuador, Honduras and Costa Rica to allow Indian business visitors to enter without visa
no visas required for Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis
contact
Mr. Paresh Mehta
Intermed
A-3, Todi Industrial Estate
Sunmil Compound
Lower Parel West
Mumbai 400 013
Tel: 00-91-22-40479444
Fax: 0091-22-40479494
Email : intermed@bom5.vsnl.net.in
While applying for visas give full details of your company, export experience, details of clients ( smaller the company.. more is the info needed ). USA and Schengen visas, give additional confidence to the Embassies, some of which insist on this. This is to differentiate from a few of our compatriots who try illegally to use Latin America as transit to USA. In many cases complications arise when travel agents file visa applications without giving full business info about your company. If you are participating in a trade fair or part of a delegation, this should be mentioned with details.
The visa procedures of some embassies are complex and some Latin American visa officers could be bureucratic, arrogant and ignorant. Some will ask for invitation letter from clients in the countries to which visa is required. Some embassies insist on personal interviews.
In South America, the following countries 12 are regarded as yellow fever zones:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Panama.
Any visa applicant transiting through / departing from or visiting any one of the above-name countries may be required to produce valid WHO-approved yellow fever vaccination certificate.
The vaccination should be done 10 days before starting the journey. They might qurantine the passenger at Indian airports in the absence of this certificate
What support Indian embassies provide to visiting Indian businessmen
Indian Embassies facilitate and promote India's business and exports as part of their Economic Diplomacy. Each embassy has one officer ( counsellor, first secretary, second secretary or attache) dealing with commercial work, under the guidance of the Ambassador. There are local marketing assistants under the commercial officers. The Commercial officers should be contacted well in advance for information and meetings. The visitor will find it worthwhile to visit the embassies and meet the commercial officer and the Ambassador as the first step.
While contacting the embassies, the businessmen should give detailed profile of their companies, products, export experience and other such information. The embassies would like to satisfy themselves about the credibility and seriousness of the companies before response and recommendation to local clients.
The honorary consulates of India provide limited info and assistance. They are not paid by the Government of India.
It is worthwhile to contact the latin American embassies in India who also provide info and assistance. Of course, their priority is to promote their exports and business in India.
Indian embassies provide information on the market, opportunities for specific exports and list of importers, agents and chambers of commerce and industry. They also provide information and assessment about local companies, statistics and market strategies.
In some cases the embassies can even fix appointments with local clients.
Some embassies have business centers with meeting rooms, multimedia facilities and business catalogues. For small and medium exporters, meeting at the Embassy adds to their credibility with the local clients.
Some embassies have panels of interpreters and some of them can be hired in advance to do preparatory work before the visit.
Embassies can buy tender documents and send to Indian companies on payment basis.
Some embassies have websites (see the section embassy contacts) and publish Guides for business with countries to which they are accredited.
Embassies intervene with local governments supporting the bids and offer of Indian companies and facilitating registration of Indian pharma products
Even while participating in trade fairs or joining delegations, it will be worthwhile to contact the embassies. They can arrange one-on-one meetings and give business leads.
Companies, especially small ones, participating in trade fairs and forming part of visiting delegations can get financial support from Focus-LAC programme of the Commerce Ministry through export promotion councils and trade and industry bodies.
Embassies intervene in favour of Indian companies in trade disputes and problems faced in foreign countries.
Shortest and less expensive route to South America is through Johannesburg by South African Airways.It has flights to sao paulo and Buenos Aires from Mumbai
South African Airways has direct flights from Johennesburg to Buenos Aires from 1 April 2009
From Buenos Aires – J-burg – Mumbai
Weds and Fridays :
Buenos Aires – J’burg 1930 – 0855 hrs
J’Burg – Mumbai – 1130 – 0030 hrs
From Mumbai- J’burg – Buenos Aires
Weds-Fridays and Sundays:
Mumbai-J’burg 0230 -0755 hrs
J’Burg – Buenos Aires 0950-1605 hrs
No need for transit visa at Johannesburg.
Travel Information
Many Latin American cities are known for crime, violence, and kidnapping. The traveller has to be extra cautious in cities such as Bogota, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janiero, and Mexico City. Do not display money, expensive jewelery, watches, or accessories. Even while sitting in a taxi keep your windows closed and brief case and bag secure. Keep some 20 US dollars in the wallet to give it readily to muggers. Resistance could be fatal.
While taking taxis especially from airport, please check that the taxi is from a prepaid service or teletaxi. Avoid touts and taxis which do not look proper.