Traveler's Guide
All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash, travelers cheques or credit cards. Indian currency is accepted if supported by proof of certificate of encashment.
Concessional tickets like Indrail Pass, Youth fares, Discover India Fares and Air Fares are to be paid for in foreign exchange only.
Do not purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents.
Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators.
While shopping, sightseeing or going to and from transportation terminals, avoid touts and brokers. Be aware of unscrupulous shopkeepers; if you feel that you are being abused, do not hesitate to consult the proper authorities.
Taxi and auto-rickshaws fares keep changing, therefore, they do not always conform to readings on meters. Taxis and auto-rickshaws do not have meters in all cities, but where they do, insist on the meter being flagged in your presence. Incase the driver refuses to cooperate, seek the assistance of a policeman. Where there are no meters, ask assistance at your hotel and agree on the fare in advance.
Customs Formalities
Visitors are generally required to make an oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. Visitors in possession of more than US$ 10,000 or equivalent thereof as in the form of travelers' checks, bank notes or currency notes are required to obtain a Currency Declaration Form before leaving customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airline during the course of the flight.
There are two channels for Custom clearance
Green Channel: For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage.
Red Channel: For passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-export form.
Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from a Customs Airport/ seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT).
Immigration Passport
Citizens of all countries require a valid national passport or valid travel documents and valid visa.
Arrival Formalities
If the visa for a stay in India is more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigner's Registration Office within 15 days of arrival. All persons, including Indian nationals are required to fill in a Disembarkation Card at the time of arrival. Four photographs are also required for registration. Foreigners registered at the Foreigner's Registration Office are required to report any change of address.
Exit Formalities
Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India should surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where he/ she is registered or of the place from where he/ she intends to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the Port / Check post of exit from India. All persons leaving India by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure.
Visas
Requirement of Visa: Foreigners desirous of visiting India can do so after obtaining a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport. Various categories of Visa exist, which are TRANSIT VISA, LANDING PERMIT FACILITY, TOURIST GROUPS, BUSINESS VISA, STUDENT VISA, CONFERENCE VISA, EMPLOYMENT VISA etc. You are requested to get in touch with the nearest Indian consulate.
For visa extension, contact
Office of the Commissioner of Police,
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Ph: 0471-2320555.
Health Regulations
No vaccinations are necessary for travel to India. However foreign tourists should be in possession of a Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate conforming to International Health Regulations, if they are originating or traveling through Yellow Fever endemic countries.
Note: It is always a wise precaution, however, to consult your physician, as to your needs, when traveling to foreign destinations.
List of Indian Consulates
|
· EMBASSY OF INDIA, WASHINGTON DC
|
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, NEW YORK
|
|
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, CHICAGO
|
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, HOUSTON
|
|
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, SAN FRANCISCO
| |
Indian Embassies Abroad
Argentina: Embassy of India in Buenos Aires
Belgium and Luxembourg: Embassy of India in Brussels
Brazil: Consulate General of India in Sγo Paulo
Canada: Consulate General of India in Vancouver
Canada: High Commission of India in Ottawa
China: Consulate-General of India in Shanghai
China: Embassy of India in Beijing
Cuba: Embassy of India in Havana
Egypt: Embassy Of India in Cairo
Germany: Embassy of India in Berlin
Germany: Embassy of India in Bonn
High Commission of India, London
High Commission of India, Singapore
Hong Kong: Consulate General of India
Hungary: Embassy of India in Budapest
Indonesia: Embassy of India in Jakarta
Iran: Embassy of India in Tehran
Nepal: Embassy of India in Kathmandu
Oman: Embassy of India in Muscat
Peru: Embassy of India in Lima
Russian Federation: Embassy of India in Moscow (2)
Saudi Arabia: Consulate General in Jeddah
Slovakia: Embassy of India in Bratislava -
South Africa: Consulate General of India in Johannesburg
Sweden: Embassy of India in Stockholm
Thailand: Embassy of India in Bangkok
UAE: Embassy Of India in Abu Dhabi
Australia: Indian High Commission 3-5 Moonah Place, Yarrelumla Canberra ACT 2600 Voice: 06-273 3999
Indian Consulate Level 27, 25 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Voice: 02-223 9500
Indian Honorable Consulate 13 Monro Street, Coburg, Melbourne VIC 3058 Voice: 03-384 0141
Indian Honorable Consulate 4th Floor, 195 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, Perth WA 6004 Voice: 09-221 1207
Canada: Consulate General of India Suite 500, 2 Bloor Street West Toronto-Ontario, Canada M4W 3E2 Voice 00-1-416-9600751, 9600752, 9606253 Fax 00-1-416-9609812
Greece: Embassy of India 3 Kleanthous Street, 106 74 Athens, Greece Voice: 721-6227 , 721-6481 Fax: 721-1252
Israel: Embassy of India Tel Aviv, Israel Voice: +972 - 3 - 510 1431 Fax: +972 - 3- 510 1434
Email: indemtel@netvision.net.il
Netherlands Indian Embassy Buitenrustweg 2 2517 KD Den Haag The Netherlands Voice: 070-3469771
Banks
Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays (10.00 to 12.00 hrs).
Best time to visit
High season: October to April - Monsoon.
Rejuvenation programmes: May to September
Travel wear: Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc
Credit cards
Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.
Currency Indian Rupee (INR)
Drugs
Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.
Food
All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.
Emergency numbers
Police control room: 100 Fire station: 101 Ambulance: 101
Time
(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)
USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30, Spain: -4.30, UAE: - 1.30
Water
Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.
Temple codes
Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum is banned in all the temples.
Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the State vary from each other.
Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned from some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.
Ayurvedic treatment
If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.
Wildlife sanctuaries
To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary.
For further enquiries, contact:
The Chief Conservator of Forests,
Thiruvananthapuram 695014
Ph: + 91-471-2322217
|