We want to make your trip
a pleasurable and a memorable one
Here are some useful tips which would save you from last minute
hassles and inconvenience.
Passport
All travelers to India except nationals of Nepal
& Bhutan must possess a valid passport. It is advisable to carry
your passport with you while you are in India for possible identification
requirements. Always place a photocopy of your passport in each
and every checked-in baggage that you give at the airport. This
helps in case you lose your luggage.
Visa
All foreign tourists to India except nationals of
Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh, must possess a valid visa. You are
not issued a visa on your arrival in India. The cost of a visa
is US$ 30 for up to six months, US $ 50 for up to one year and
US $ 100 for more than one year and up to five years. Contact
the Indian embassy or Indian consulate in your country for issuing
of Visas. A tourist visa is valid for three to six months. Tourists
visas allow multiple entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries.
You will be required to fill in a disembarkation card on your
arrival in India which will have to be submitted at the Immigration
counters at the airport.
Transit
Visas
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad
for a maximum period of 15 days.
Exemption
from Registration
Foreigners coming to India on tourist visa for 180
days or a shorter period are not required to register themselves
with any authority. They can move about freely in the country,
except to restricted / protected areas and prohibited places.
Nationals of Bangladesh are exempt from registration for up to
six months. If their stay exceeds six months, they have to register
themselves. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized
with discrimination.
Extension
of Visa
As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a
tourist visa. Tourist visa are available for a maximum period
of 180 days. No charges are levied for visa extension within the
maximum period of 180 days. Identical passport photographs are
required. However in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which
is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee which varies
from country to country is charged. In case a foreign tourist
has obtained extension beyond three months of stay in India, he
will have to surrender his certificate of Registration and Residential
Permit before leaving India.
Student
Visa
This can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of
proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India. The Visa
is valid for one year but can be extended in India for the duration
of the course. The visa will be valid for the duration of the course
or five years, whichever is less.
Business
Visa
A foreigner can obtain one from the Indian embassy abroad. A
multiple entry business visa is valid for five years, provided one
wants to come for business. Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain
a five year multiple entry visa for business, to meet their relatives,
etc.
Special
Permits
Some areas in India - usually border districts
- are out of bounds for normal travelers due to political and
security reasons. However, some of these are extremely beautiful
and fascinating places, their remoteness lending them a special
quality, and special permits may be procured if you wish to visit
them. Permits are usually provided to groups and for a limited
number of days. There is no extra charge for acquiring the permits
and they may be obtained from the Indian missions abroad or governmental
agencies within India.
Arrival
&Customs Information
There are two customs clearance channels. The green
channel is for travelers carrying non-dutiable items while the
red channel is for travelers carrying dutiable items.
Electricity
Electricity 220 AC. Socket sizes vary widely: take a universal adaptor.
Languages
Popular languages are Hindi and English, plus 15
main languages and over 700 dialects
are spoken in India.
Photography
If you are taking photographs of local people,
always ask their permission before hand. Your driver / guide will
assist you in this. Do not take photographs of any official buildings,
such as military installations, airports, railway stations, border
posts or road blocks. It is advisable to carry your camera in
dust-proof bags especially in the dry season. Film rolls are available
in most hotels and lodges but it is advisable to stock up in major
cities.
Baggage
Information
There are several different sets of baggage allowance regulations
in effect for international and regional flights. Baggage allowances
can vary depending on which airline(s), class of service, and
routing is used. Please be advised that baggage limits are adhered
to very strictly on both international and domestic flights. Most
domestic carriers have more restrictive baggage limitations than
international carriers. On domestic flights, the baggage allowance
is 30 kilograms (66 lbs.) per person for those traveling in economy
class and 40 kilograms (88 lbs.) per person for those traveling
in business class.
In case of a small plane being used for travel within India or
Nepal, the maximum baggage allowance varies between
15 to 20 kilograms (33 lbs.) per person.
Any baggage in excess of airline limitations may be subject to
substantial freight charges by the airline. These charges are
the entire responsibility of the traveler. (Please be advised
that some domestic airlines categorically refuse excess baggage.
Also, payment of excess baggage charges on domestic flights within
India and Nepal may not guarantee that the baggage is transported.)
Every piece of checked baggage should be locked and contain identification
inside (as well as outside) stating your home address and phone
number. In addition, do not pack valuable items (such as your
camera and jewelry) in checked baggage
Climate varies greatly, from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to
the cool highlands of Kashmir & to Assam, the wettest place on
earth. But basically India has a three-season year - the hot,
the wet and the cool. The heat starts to build up on the northern
plains around April and cools off by October. The monsoon rains
begin around June and end by September. India's northern cities
start getting cool by October and become very crisp at night in
December. In the far south, it never gets very cold, the temperatures
are comfortably warm rather than hot.
Time
Zone
India is 5 hrs 30 minutes ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In
the winter months India is 4 hrs 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
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