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must have a passport with you all the time. It's the most basic
travel document. Also ensure that your passport will be valid for
the entire period you intend to remain overseas, if your passport
is lost or stolen, immediately contact your country's embassy or
consulate in Delhi and also to nearest police station. |
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The best time to apply for a passport or to renew is during the
fall and winter. Before any trip, be sure to check your passport's
expiration date and, if necessary, renew it as soon as possible.
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You can apply for passport: |
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You need a visa to visit India. But if you are coming from Nepal
you only need Identification, and visa is issued at the airport
only. Note that with a three month visa, your entry to India must
be within 30 day's from the date of issue of the visa. Also, the
six month visa is valid from the date of issue of the visa, not
the date you enter India five month after the visa was issued, it
will be valid only for one month not the full six month. If you
enter India the day after it was issued, you can stay for the full
six month. |
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General Regulations for applying for Visa
Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India should accompany visa applications.
Paste one photo and staple the other one on the form at specified place.
Foreigners holding other nationalities (other than the country where applying for visa), should submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country (where applying). For citizen of other countries, reference has to be made to their country of residence for which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of application during this time.
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Tourist Visa
Is given
for 6 months normally, rest specifically depends on the country
of residence. The applicant is required to produce/submit documents
in proof of his financial standing. Tourist traveling in groups
of not less than four members under the auspices of a
recognized
travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist
visa.
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Business Visa
Valid
for one or more year with multiple entries. A letter from sponsoring
organization indicating nature of business, probable duration of
stay, places and organizations to be visited incorporating there
in a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany
the application. |
Student Visa
Are issued
for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period
of five years whichever is less, on the basis of firm letters of
admission from Universities/recognized colleges or educational institutions
in India. Change of purpose and institutions are not permissible.
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Transit Visa
Are issued
for a maximum period of 15-days with single/double entry facilities
to Bonaire transit passengers only. |
Visa to Missionaries
Are valid for single entry and duration as permitted by Government of India. A letter in triplicate from sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of duties to be discharged should be submitted along with guarantee for applicant’s maintenance while in India.
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Journalist Visa
Are issued to professional journalists and photographers for visiting India. The applicants are required to contact on arrival in New Delhi, the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and in other places, the Office of the Government of India's Press Information Bureaus.
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Conference Visa
Are issued for attending conferences/seminars/meetings in India. A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be submitted along with the visa application. Delegates coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences
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Employment Visa
Are issued to skilled and qualified professionals or persons who are engaged or appointed by companies, organizations, economic undertakings as technicians, technical experts, senior executives etc. Applicants are required to submit proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the company or organization.
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Tourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No
charge 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.
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Tourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No
charge 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.
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Customs Formalities And Regulations
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The usual duty free regulations of one bottle of whisky, i.e. 950
ml or less and 200 cigarettes apply for India. If the tourist brings
in more than $ 1000 in cash or in traveler's cheques, it must be
declared by completion of currency declaration form.
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.
Goods brought in excess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing
law. |
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For international travel from Indian airports Airport Travel Tax
must be paid for travel to all other countries. This tax is also
applicable to infants who may not be occupying seats.
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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 group tourists.
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Permits are required for the following places
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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.
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