Visa Requirements

Indian visas are available from Indian Consular Offices around the world, on payment of visa fee. UK citizens have to pay visa fee. Applications for multiple and single entry visas are accepted. Indian visas are necessary for all foreigners visiting India. There are several kinds of visas including Entry Visa, Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Long terms visa(upto 5 years with multiple entry facilities) etc. are available. Also Collective Landing Permits are available for foreign tourists in groups.

Visa extensions

Tourists visas 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 is charged. Tourists from other countries are advised to check current applicable visa fee/visa extension fees with government of India Tourist Offices or Indian Consular Offices located in their respective countries.

Special Permits

Special permits can be obtained if specifically asked for while applying for a visa or they may be obtained after arrival in India.

The FRROs (Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices) in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and the Chief Immigration Officer in Madras can issue the same as well as group permits. This permit is valid for a maximum period of 15 days only. Permits must be applied for at least two weeks in advance for gourp tourists.

Permits are required for the following places:

North Eastern Frontiers: Permits are available at the FRRos in Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and with the Chief Immigration Officer in Madras.

Andaman Islands: Permits are obtainable from an Indian Embassy or Consular Offices abroad or from the FRROs in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and the Chief Immigration Officer in Madras.

Visas to neighboring countries:

Afghanistan: From the Embassy at 5/50-F, Shantipath, New Delhi - 110 021 (Tel: 603331 Telex : 031-72253)

Bhutan: Bhutan Tourism Corporation, P.O. Box No. 159, Thimphu, Bhutan which organises goup tours of six or more members will also take care of visa formalities.

Myanmar: From the Embassy at 3/50 -F, Nyaya Marg, New Delhi - 100 021 (Tel : 600251 Telex : 031-72224 MEND IN)

Nepal: from the Royal Nepalese Embassy, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi- 110 001 (Tel : 3329969 Telex : 031-66283 NEMB IN) Fax : 332 6857

Thailand: from the Embassies in New Delhi and Calcutta : 56-N, Nyaya Marg, New Delhi - 110 021 (Tel: 607807 Telex : 031-72275 THAI IN) Fax : 6872029)

Sri Lanka: Most westerners do not need a visa

Currency Regulations Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

It is advisable to carry a mix of cash and travelers cheques to guard against any situation. US Dollars are the easiest currency to change with pounds sterling coming a close second. Other hard currencies such as Yen, French Francs, Deutsche Mark can also be changed in tourist areas and big cities. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers’ cheques a tourist may import, provided a Declaration Form is completed on arrival by the tourists if they enter the country with US$10,000 or its equivalent in any other currency. This will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent currency on departure or for tax clearance certificates. Cash, bank notes and travelers’ cheques up to US$2.500 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travelers’ cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized money changers.

Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To exchange foreign money other than through banks or authorized money changers is an offence. Please note that no Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported, except for Rupee travelers’ cheques. Banks abroad do keep Rupee balances with their agents in India and are able to draw upon these balances to issue Rupee traveler's cheques to intending tourists. There are 24 hour exchange facilities available at all big cites and international airports. Banking hours in India are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) and from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays. One can also wire money into India. These services are offered by foreign banks with branches in India and also with Indian banks with branches abroad such as the State Bank of India, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.

A growing number of hotels, restaurants and shops are beginning to accept credit cards, the well known and more accepted ones being American Express, Access or MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa.

Custom Regulations

All personal objects which are required in India are free from duty. Under this heading fall personal jewellery, presents up to a value of Rs. 600, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 0.95 l alcoholic beverages. Professional material and articles which have a high value can only be imported duty free if the traveler gives a written undertaking that these articles will be re-exported.

While small items like perfumes, cosmetics etc., are allowed into the country, larger items like video cameras are likely to be entered on a "Tourist Baggage Re-export' form to ensure that the article is taken away on departure.

The TBRE form should be re-submitted on departure.

A tourist can clear goods upto Rs.2,400/- in value duty free. Goods brought in excess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing law.

Income Tax Clearance

If a person not domiciled in India intends to say in the country for more than 120 days, an "Income Tax Clearance" certificate is required in order to leave the country.

This document will prove that the person's stay in India was financed by his own money and not by working or selling his goods. The foreign section of the Income Tax Department at Delhi,Calcutta, Madras and Bombay issues these certificates on being shown the person's passport, visa extension form and the currency exchange receipts which have been used by the person.

Foreign Travel Tax

For international travel from Indian airports Rs.150/- must be paid for travel to neighbouring countries and Rs. 300/- for travel to all other countries. This tax is also applicable to infants who may not be occupying seats.

Health Regulations

Yellow fever: Any person (including infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate is detained in isolation for a period up to 6 days if arriving within 6 days of departing from an infected area.

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country excluding parts of the States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim. No certificate required, but a course of anti-malaria pills is recommended.

Drinking water: Bottled water is available and usually provided in flasks in hotel rooms. For people with delicate digestive systems. It is advisable to use bottled mineral water, this is widely available.

Facilities: It is advisable to bring specific medicines. There are state operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.

Foreign Embassies or Consulate in Delhi

Australia
1/50-G, Shantipath , Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6888223/6885556 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6885199

Belgium
50-N, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-608295/608267 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6885821

Canada
7/8, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6876500 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6875387

Denmark
11, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi 110 011, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-3010900 Fax : +(91)-(11)-3010961

France
2/50 E, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6118790 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6872305

Germany
No 6, Block-50G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-604861 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6873117

Israel
3, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi 110 011, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-3013238 Fax : +(91)-(11)-3014298

Italy
50-E, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6114355 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6873889

Japan
50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6876581/6876582

Korea (South)
C-31, Friends Colony (East), New Delhi 110 065, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6829644/6829645 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6466357

Netherlands
6/50F, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6884951/6884952 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6884956

New Zealand
50-N, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6883170 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6872317

Singapore
E-6, Chandergupt Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6885659/6886506 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6886798

South Africa
D-18, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110 057, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6119411/6119420 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6113505

Switzerland
Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-604225/604226 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6873093

Sweden
Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6110735/6875670 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6885401

Thailand
56 N, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-605679/6118103 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6872029

United Kingdom
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-6872161 Fax : +(91)-(11)-6872882

United States of America
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Phone : +(91)-(11)-600651/6113033

Restricted Areas

Certain parts of the country need special permits before they can be visited.

Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.

These States/Union Territories have been designated as protected areas and foreigners cannot enter these areas without special permits. These permits are issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003 at least 4 weeks before the date of the expected visit.

Sikkim

Certain areas of Sikkim like Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang and Zongri in West Sikkim and Pemayangtse have been excluded form the inner line and declared as restricted areas. Individual tourists are permitted to visit Gangtok, Rumtek and Phodang. Tourists are permitted to visit Zongri and Pemayangtse. The duration of stay has been raised from 7 to 15 days. Permits can be issued by all Indian Missions abroad, all FRROs, Immigration Officers at Airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi. Manipur. Manipur has also been opened to foreign tourists; permits can be issued by all Missions abroad, all FRROs, Home Commissioner, Manipur, Imphal. The duration of stay has been raised from 3 to 5 days. Permits are no longer required for Darjeeling, Assam, Meghalaya & Tripura.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Individual foreign tourists can visit Port Blair Municipal Area, Havelock Island, Long Island, Neil Island, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Rangat, where a night halt is allowed and Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Mount Harriet, Madhuban where only day visits are allowed. Prior permit is necessary.

Lakshadweep Islands

Only Bangaram and Subeli Islands are open to foreign tourists. Permits are required, obtainable from the Lakshadweep Administration, Wellington Island, Harbour Road, Kochi -3.

Photography Restrictions

Photography is prohibited in places of military importance, railway stations, bridges, airports and other military installations.

Export of Antiques & Restricted Items

Antiquities include sculpture, painting or other works of art and craftsmanship, illustrative of science, art, crafts, religion of bygone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years. Also manuscripts, or other documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy five years- art-treasures-not necessarily antiquities but having regard to the artistic and aesthetic value cannot be exported.

Restrictions Pertaining To Export Of Articles Made From Animals etc:

Govt. of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered and rare fauna.

With this view, export of all wild animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed animals like skin, pelts, furs, ivory, rhino horns, trophies etc., have been totally banned.

Tourists are also advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of Convention on International 'Trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora. All the member countries of the convention allow import of the articles covered by convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the country of origin.

For further information, the tourists can contact the following authorities.

New Delhi:
Regional Deputy Director (NR),
Ministry of Enviornment & Forests, Wildlife Preservation, Bikaner House, Barrack No. 5, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110 001 ; Tel : 384556

Bombay :
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife Preservation, Western Region, 11 , Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Bombay - 400 099, Tel : 632 8529

Calcutta:
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife preservation, Eastern Region, Nizam Place, 2nd MSO Building, 6th Floor, 234/4, A. J.C. Bose Road, Calcutta - 700 020 Tel: 478689

Madras:
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife Preservation, Southern Region, C-5, Brownstone Apartments, Mahalingapuram, Madras , Tel: 8253977

Transport Facilities

Air Transport Services: Indian Airlines, the country's major domestic airline, files extensively across the nation and to neighbouring countries as well.

Alliance Air, India's second domestic airline, covers small towns not touched by Indian Airlines.

Foreigners must pay in foreign currency, traveler's cheques or currency exchange forms. The dollar tariff is applicable on domestic section for foreigners and NRIs. Misplaced tickets are not the responsibility of these airlines.

Indian Airlines has a 21 day 'Discover India' fare which costs US $ 400. Also available are INDIA WONDERFARES prices at US$ 200 valid for 7 days.

Other excursion fare circuit trips providing 20% or 30% discount on the regular fares are also available. Foreign Nationals below 30 years are entitled to Youth Fare discount of 25% on US dollar tariff in Domestic/ Indo-Nepal flights.

Train/ Rail Network in India:

The Indian Railways is the world's second largest railway system, under a single management with a route length of over 62000 kms.

There are generally two classes - 1st and 2nd class. Air-Conditioned coached which have 1st class A.C. and A.C. chair cars are also avvailable.

The cost of reservation is nominal and children between 5 and 12 years have to pay only half the regular fare. Children below 5 years are allowed to travel free of cost.

It is advisable to obtain reservations in advance, as trains in India are crowded.

Left Luggage: This is a facility at most railway stations, wherein the tourist can check the luggage into a cloakroom for a short period.

Special Trains: The 'Palace on Wheels' is a royal experience fit for Maharaja, which does a regular circuit of the state of Rajasthan. This train operates on ever Wednesday of the week, from October to March.

A few other special trains are Taj Express, Pink City Express and Shatabdi Express.

Indrail Passes: These enable the tourist to enjoy unlimited travel on Indian trains within the period of their validity. A tourist travelling on Indrail Pass is exempted from paying reservation fee, sleeper charges, supplementary charges for travelling by super fast trains or for meals provided in Rajdhani & Shatabdi Express trains.

BusIndia has an extensive and well developed bus system, with the system varying widely from State to State. Buses with video shows are becoming increasingly popular on certain routs. Baggage is generally carried on the roof. Hence the tourist must ensure that his/her luggage is secured properly and is waterproof. There are extensive local bus routes in all major cities.

Driving: Car rental system (similar to those in the West) like Hertz, Budget, Europecar are available in India. Also available are chauffeur driven cars and short and long distance metered taxis.

Other Transport: In some places, auto-rickshaws (three wheelers),tongas (horse-drawn two wheelers), and Victorias (horse drawn carriages) operate. Calcutta boasts of an extensive tramway and also India's only underground Metro Railway.

Accommodation in India:

Exclusive Hotels: Exclusive hotels and hotel chains boast of luxurious amenities and world-class decor. Tariffs are generally charged on the European system of room rent only.

You can expect to find any or all of the following facilities :

A choice of restaurants, coffee shops open round the clock, conference services, business centre, health club, swimming pool, beauty salon, shopping / travel counter, baby sitter, safe deposit lockers, currency exchange, rooms with attached baths, channel music and cable TV, telephones with direct dial facilities etc.

Tourist Bungalows / Traveller's Lodges:- They offer comfortable lodgeing and meals. The tourist often has a choice between a dormitory and a self -fufficient room with attached bathroom. A restaurant or a dining hall, often with an attached bar is a possible feature. It is strongle recommended to obtain room reservations in advance.

Rest Houses/ Dak Bungalows: Introduced in the days of British Raj, they are primarily meant for Government officials on tour, though tourists may stay in them under certain conditions. They are situated near national highways, and ae hence convenient for tourists travelling by road. For reservations, contact district/local authorities well in advance.

Climate Update:

India has three major season : Summer, Winter, and the monsoon.

The summer months (April - June ) are hot in most parts of India. This is the season to visit the summer resorts of Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, Kufri and Kashmir valley, Darjeeling, Shilong, Ootacamund, Kodaikanal, Pachmarhi and Mount Abu.

The winter months ( November - March) are pleasant throughout India with bright sunny days. Winter is more severe in the northern plains, and in the foot hills of the Himalayas, while the southern , eastern and western zones of India , remain pleasantly cool.

The monsoons break at the beginning of June on the South-west coast of India, and gradually break at all parts of the country, except south-eastern areas. These areas receive most of their rainfall between mid-October and end-December.