Entry Formalities
Foreign Nationals desirous of coming into India are required to possess a valid passport of their country.Nationals of following countries are eligible for Tourist visa on arrival:
Finland,Japan,Luxembourg,New Zealand,Singapore,Cambodia,Vietnam,Philippines,Laos,Myanmar and Indonesia
Government of India has introduced Tourist Visa on Arrival facility (which must be requested at least 72 hours in advance) enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to facilitate foreign travelers visiting India to nationals of following countries :Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Miue, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Papua and New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea (i.e South Korea), Republic of Marshall Isalands, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Vanuatu.
List of more countries eligible for TVoA may be notified by Government from time to time. Applicants may apply online at Tourist Visa..https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
There are other countries which will be added to above list soon, therefore, nationals other countries may check with us before applying for visa. Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan also do not require Visa to enter India and the nationals of Maldives also do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).Other foreign Nationals desirous of coming into India are required to possess obtain Indian Visa. They should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require Visa to enter India and the nationals of Maldives also do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).
The visitors who are interested in visiting other neighboring countries, must apply for double / multiple entry visa.
Money Matters:
India’s currency is Indian Rupee. Currency code: INR
Currency Note denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2000 Rupees (Indian Currency). It is advisable to carry a mixture of cash and credit cards to guard against any situation. US Dollars, Euros are easy to exchange. Other hard currencies such as Pound Sterling, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franks, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, etc. can also be changed in tourist areas and big cities. A currency declaration form has to be filled out by the tourists if they enter the country with US$10,000 in cash or travelers cheques or its equivalent in any other currency. An increasing 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:
Tourists coming to India must make a verbal baggage declaration of the baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They are required to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from the Customs. It’s mandatory to fill the Disembarkation Card handed to them by the airline during the course of the flight. For smooth passage of the foreign visitors two channels for Customs clearance have been provided. While the Green Channel is for passengers not having any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage, Red Channel is for passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles (the value to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form).Custom Duties The duty-free possessions that are permissible by the government: clothes and jewelry, cameras with maximum five rolls of film; binoculars, one laptop computer, a portable musical instrument, a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets, two hundred cigarettes or fifty cigars, two liters of liquor. There is no restriction in carrying items of personal effects (except jewelry) for foreign tourists (other than citizens of Nepalese and Bhutanese origin) coming to India. Articles that exceed the duty-free allowance and articles imported as unaccompanied baggage can be cleared on payment of extra duty. Import of gold and silver is regulated. Trafficking in Narcotic drugs like Heroin, Charas (Hashish) and Cocaine or in Psychotropic substances is prohibited and is punishable with imprisonment.
Export of most species of wild life and articles made from flora and fauna for example, Ivory, reptile skins, musk, furs are prohibited. For more information, Visit the site- Custom Guide For Travelers ...http://www.cbec.gov.in/resources//htdocs-cbec/guide_for_travellers/pblc-notc-01-2015.pdf
Clothing:
Refer to the few check- points before you start packing your bags:
* First, check the season. Is it summer or winter when you are travelling!
* As both the weather conditions can reach extremes so it is better that you pack according to the season.
* If you are traveling in summers, pack light cotton clothes. Do not wear synthetic as you may develop some skin allergy or heat burns. Sun-hats or caps, and sunglasses are highly recommended. If you are travelling to the hills or mountains then you will need light woolens during the nights.
* During winters, pack some warm clothes, as it can get mercilessly chilly in some parts of India. In the south and in the hills, you will require woolen jacket during the evenings and early morning. In the north, you may need to dress warmer in woolens even during the day as it gets really cold. Its best to carry a small day-pack to keep some clothes in as the day gets hotter.
* During monsoons, quick-drying clothing, and either a raincoat or an umbrella is advisable.
* You must carry good sturdy sport shoes with you while travelling.
* It will also be a good idea to carry a light stole or scarf with you with which you can cover your head in case it gets too hot. Also, in some religious places one is required to cover one’s head, so it may come in handy.
Health Precautions:
*Advised not to drink water from tap or roadside vendors.
*Drink boiled or bottled water. Better to buy bottled water from respectable and decent looking outlets.
* Avoid eating fresh cut fruits from roadside vendors. Eat fruits that you can peel.
* It is suggested to keep a mosquito repellent ointment with you.
* It is advisable to carry basic emergency medicines that you might need, especially medicines for upset stomach, vomiting, fever, etc.
* Avoid fountain drinks and ice cubes from unreliable sources.
* Avoid eating food from the roadside vendors. If, by chance, you are tempted to eat there, you should ensure that the food is well cooked and is served hot.
* Most of Indian dishes are spicy. Ask hotel or restaurant to using less or no spices for you. This is very important especially in the initial days of your travel.
* If you are visiting India during summer period, drink lots of safe water. Cover your head with scarves or cas or hat and wear sunglasses and always use sunscreen lotion. It is better to stay indoors in the afternoon .
* If fall sick or ill health, it is better to consult a doctor or contact your insurance agency of may ask your hotel or local persons whom you know.
DO & DONT' S:
* Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. So carry a scarf to cover your head in such places.
* As summers in India are quite unpleasant especially during the day so drink lots of water and fluids. A sunscreen is a must to protect the exposed body parts. Also carry sunglasses to protect your eyes from the scorching sun.
* Photography at many places may not be permissible, and if permissible then only at a fees. Please note that there is usually a higher fee for using video camera.
* Smoking is not permitted at public places.
* English is spoken by almost all the tourist guides. You can also ask for Government- trained and approved guides who also speak Italian, French, Spanish German, Russian or Japanese.
* In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between, so take every opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit wherever you go in India.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
* Some temples do not permit leather articles in their premises and certain areas of the temples are not open to Non-Hindus.
* Most of the museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums near archaeological monuments are closed on Fridays.
