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GENERAL TIPS
& Visa requirements & Categories FOR INDIA
Foreigners wanting to visit India can do so after obtaining visa from
the Indian Mission in their country of residence. They should possess a
valid National Passport - except in the case of nationals of Bhutan &
Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.
Tourist Visas,
Collective Visas,
Transit Visas,
Exemption from Registration,
Landing Permit Facility,
Tourist Groups,
Business Visa,
Student Visa,
Conference Visa,
Visa Extensions
VISA, INSURANCE & OTHER DOCUMENTS
You should keep a photocopy of your passport, Indian visa and flight
ticket separate from the originals when traveling.
This will save you much inconvenience and time if your documents are
lost or stolen.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical
insurance before traveling. You should check any exclusion, and that
your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See
the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for
more details.
CUSTOMS & AIRPORT’S AUTHORITY OF INDIA
• Indian Customs department at the airport stop one client because they
were carrying some Auer Vedic Medicines ( Herbal), which they bought
from one of the Ayurveda Message resort from South of India. So if
anyone buys such kind of things must ask and be sure if they can carry
with them or not to their home.
Visiting India can be a wee bit unnerving for the first-time visitor.
The lifestyle and culture is totally different from the West. I made a
list of some important dos and don'ts for hassle-free and enjoyable
travel in these both countries.
• A proper VISA to enter and stay in India is a must. There are reported
cases when travelers are advised non-requirement of Indian VISA by their
travel agents. Practically every foreign national requires VISA to enter
these countries.
• Do not encourage beggars.
• Don't trust strangers with money. Trust your Travel Agent & Hotel
Manager or Owner, but not people you may bump into on the streets.
• Don't offer bribes to get any job done. Bribe-taking and bribe-giving
are a common practice in India but they are intended to speed up things
or win a favor that you are not entitled to. Plan well in advance. Use
consultants or trade and industry associations. If you expect favors,
let them come free or not at all. Warn anyone (even in government) who
asks you for a bribe that you would report him to the Anti-Corruption
Bureau or the nearest police-station. If he persists, do it discreetly
so that he can be caught red-handed.
• Indian English has its own delights especially to foreigners of
English nativity. Don't show amusement at the different Indian accents
and choice of words. This does not take away from the fact that many
Indians speak and write better English than many native English
speakers.
• It is advisable to cover yourself with travel insurance for thefts,
loss and mediclaim Insurance Policies..
• Carry proper maps of the places proposed to visit in India, as
signboards are often absent. Try to reach a station during daytime if
traveling on your own. In any case avoid persistent touts and
taxi-drivers at airport/stations/bus stand to help you find your hotel.
Always use tourist assistance desk for proper advice.
• Women traveling alone in certain deserted places should avoid walking
at odd hours.
• While changing money, insist on getting encashment certificate.
• Do not checkout of the hotel in hurry. While checking out it has been
noticed in some hotels, the extras are unreasonably charged which the
guest hurriedly pays without cross-checking.
• Do not leave your cash and valuables in your hotel rooms. Keep your
cash divided in different pockets.
• Take care of proper disposal of your rubbish always whether you are
exploring desert, or Himalayas or beaches or anywhere else.
• Don't accept offers of visiting anyone's home unless you are confident
of the person.
• Use licensed guides for sightseeing.
• Always use strong suitcases/baggage, as mishandling is common at
airports/stations.
• Don't tip unreasonably and unnecessarily in a hotel. The NEWS soon
spreads in the hotel and by the time you checkout there will be a group
of them saluting you to expect something.
• In Monsoon time avoid night stay in the desert while you do camel
safari.
Most of the monuments give very good discount for students from all over
the world. They must carry there valid school identity card.
Visa Fees
Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The
High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding
type/duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of
making application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry
to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration
Authorities. Visa can be applied for in person or by post at the High
Commission of India in London. Visa applications from persons not
ordinarily residing in the UK or from people of Pakistani, Bangladeshi
and Sri Lankan origin are considered only in the High Commission of
India, London and Consulate General of India, Birmingham and their
processing may take one week or in some cases much longer. Applicants
not ordinarily resident in the UK and Sri Lankan nationals are required
to complete an additional form. Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals have
to file special visa application forms. In the following cases
processing of applications will take longer: (a) British Nationals
holding dual nationality or of other origin, (b) applicants not resident
in the UK, (c) where clearance from India is mandatory, (d) visitors to
restricted areas and (e) certain cases where documents may need to be
verified. Visa Section will contact the applicant about the time of
delivery for such passports. Please note that each application is
examined individually and the time taken for issuing Visa will vary from
case to case.
Visitors to restricted/protected areas need special permits and for this
purpose an additional form has to be completed. Please contact the High
Commission of India, London if you wish to ascertain whether any of the
places you intend to visit fall in the category of restricted/protected
areas.
Specific Visas are granted for a variety of purposes. The principal
types of Visa issued are mentioned below. Please contact the High
Commission of India for further details if you are visiting India for
purposes other than tourism, such as journalism, conferences, yoga,
voluntary work, mountaineering or other expeditions. The visa
application form is, however, the same. Separate forms are available for
Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals.
Application For Visa:
1. 1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months
2. Correct visa fee
3. Two passport size photographs (5 photographs in case of Pakistani
Nationals)
4. Supporting documents, where necessary
5. Duly completed application form (Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals
need to apply on special application forms)
Additional requirements for different types of Visa are given below.
a. Tourist Visa
Tourists wishing to visit India will normally be granted tourist Visa,
effective from the date of issue. Tourist Visa are non-extendible and
non-convertible. Travel Agents who have to visit India frequently may be
granted tourist Visa for a longer duration.
b. Business Visa
Business Visa are normally granted for 3 or 6 months. However,
multiple-entry Business Visa for up to 2 years validity may be granted
to technicians/experts going to India in pursuance of bilateral
agreements or joint venture projects having government approval.
c. Student and Employment Visa
Student Visa can be obtained on furnishing proof of admission to
recognized Universities/Institutions in India. Employment Visa can also
be obtained on furnishing of proof of employment with companies in
India.
d. Transit Visa
Transit Visa are valid for halts of up to 72 hours in India within 15
days from the date of issue of the visa and must be obtained before
departure. Transit Visa cannot be obtained from immigration counters at
ports of entry in India. Evidence of onward travel to a destination
outside India is required.
e. Entry Visa
Entry Visa are issued to persons of Indian origin for a duration of up
to 5 years. These can be obtained, depending on the purpose of visit and
eligibility, on a case by case basis.
Please Note : Persons holding long term Visa (having validity exceeding
6 months) are normally not expected to stay in India more than 6 months
during each visit. Please refer to the boxed note further down for
requirement to register with the Foreigners Registration Office
(FRO)/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Visa Exemption Letters for Minors
Visa Exemption Letters previously granted to children of Indian origin
(for a maximum validity of 90 days from the date of issue) have been
discontinued since 1 July 1999. Visa Exemption Letters issued in the
past are hence no longer valid. All children holding separate passports
are now required to obtain regular Visa.
INDIAN Customs Regulations
Must/Must not do
On arrival, expensive items, such as video cameras and radios, must be
entered into your passport on a 'Tourist Baggage Re-Export' form. This
will ensure that you can take these items with you when you leave the
country. You must not import narcotics, plants, gold and silver bullion
and coins not in current use. If you are transporting firearms, make
sure you have a possession License. Indian embassies and consulates
issue such licenses abroad, or by a district magistrate on arrival in
India. It is strictly prohibited to take antiques, art objects, animal
skins (or products made with animal skin), and ivory and rhino horns out
of India.
Visitors are not allowed to bring Indian currency into India or take any
of it out (except when going to Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri
Lanka). There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency or
travelers' cheques you can bring into the country, but amounts exceeding
USD10,000.00 must be declared upon arrival. You may bring the following
items into India without incurring customs duties:
1 pint of alcohol
200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco
250ml of eau de toilette
Be prepared to pay foreign travel tax on departure. This tax must be
paid at a special desk at the airport before checking in your luggage.
Foreign currency is accepted as payment.
Duty Free Customs Allowance
Government of India offers various benefits to bonafide travelers and
tourists, and their personal items can be imported duty free as part of
baggage. The list of these items includes:
Personal Jewellary
One Camera, Binoculars
One Laptop/notebook computer.
One electronic diary
One portable typewriter.
One portable CTV (Color Television)
One music system including compact disc player.
One perambulator.
One tent and other camping equipment.
Sports equipment, such as fishing outfit, tennis racket, one gulf set
(14 pieces).
One portable receiving set (Transistor Radio).
To avoid misuse of the above allowance, passengers are advised not to
bring these items in its original package. The above information has
been taken from baggage rules as notified by the Government of India-
dated 28th October 1999.
Money
Notes are available in denominations of INR1.00, 2.00, 5.00, 10.00,
20.00, 50.00, 100.00 and 500.00. Coins come in 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50
paise, and INR1.00, 2.00 and 5.00 (although the latter is very rare).
Be careful not to accept torn notes from anyone as no-one else will
accept them, making them quite useless. Change is often in short supply,
so try not to carry large denominations.
Visitors are not allowed to bring Indian currency into India or take it
out of the country. However, you may bring an unlimited amount of
foreign currency or traveler's cheques with you. Note that any amount
exceeding USD2,500.00 must be declared on arrival in India. Most foreign
currencies and traveler's cheques can be changed in the big cities.
If you've been in India for more than 180 days, you must obtain a tax
clearance certificate before leaving the country.
These are available at the foreigners' section of any income tax
department in larger cities. You'll need to produce bank receipts
('encashment certificates') to show that you have changed money legally.
An easy currency¬converter is available online.
You can check the value of your money right away.
All popular credit cards are easily accepted in most metropolitans of
India.
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