Immigration & Passport Control
Citizens of all countries, except Nepal & Bhutan, require a valid national passport or valid travel documents and a valid visa granted by Missions abroad for entering India. Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens need no passport or visa but should possess suitable documents for their identification when proceeding from their respective countries.

Visa : Foreigners desirous of visiting India can do so after obtaining visa from the Indian Mission in their country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport - except in the case of nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

Tourist Visas : Usually, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is granted for the purpose of tourism. The visa is valid from the date of issue.

Collective Visas : The facility also exists for the issue of collective visas to group tours consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India. Such groups may split into smaller groups for visiting different places in India after obtaining a collective "license to travel" from the immigration authorities in India. However, they must reassemble and depart as the original group.

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 visas for 180 days or shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority in India. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted/protected areas and prohibited places. Nationals of Bangladesh are exempted from registration upto six months. If their stay exceeds six months, they have to register themselves. Individuals without nationality (stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal or political protection.) should have valid passports, identity documents or sworn affidavits along with the visa for which they should apply two months in advance. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized without discrimination.

Landing Permit Facility : Tourists may note the no Landing Permit Facility is available to any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A limited facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India. Children of foreigners of Indian origin below the age of 12 may be granted a landing permit by the immigration authorities upto a period of 90 days to see their relatives, in case they happen to come without a visa.

Tourist Groups : A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled flight may be granted a collective landing permit for a period of upto 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing, provided the group is sponsored by a recognized travel agency and a pre-drawn itinerary is presented along with details of passport etc. of the members, and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group together.

Extension of Visa : As a rule no extension of stay is granted on a Tourist Visa.

Other Types of Visas : If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than tourism, he should come after obtaining one of the following visas.

Business Visa : A foreigner can obtain one from an Indian Embassy abroad. A multiple entry visa is valid for 5 years, provided he wishes to come for some business. Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain a 5 year multiple entry visa for business, to meet their relatives etc.

Student Visa : A student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, etc. The visa is valid for one year but can be extended in India for the duration of the course.

Conference Visa : Delegates coming to attend international conferences in India can be granted Conference Visa to cover the conference as well as for tourism in India. Delegates are advised to apply to Indian Embassies well in advance.

Employment Visa : Foreigners desirous of coming to India for taking up employment should apply for an Employment Visa, which are issued by Indian Missions abroad. Initially granted for a period of one year, it can be extended in India upto the period of contract.

Recreation Visa : Foreigners wishing to undertake any international sporting event, trekking, botanical expeditions, yoga, journalists, media men, documentary and feature film makers may obtain visas after due formalities from the Indian Embassy.

Customs Formalities & Regulations
Visitors are generally required to make an oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They are also required to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from the 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 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.

Currency Regulations
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques a tourist may bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency bought in, but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes and travelers' cheques up to US$ 1,000 or equivalent, need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travellers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. in convertible currencies, which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency, should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks who will issue an encashment certificate that is required at the time of re-conversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Exchanging of foreign currency other than banks or authorized money changers is an offense under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act 1973.

An Indian Rupee is divided into 100 paisas. There are coins of 50 paisas, 1 rupee, 2, 5 and 10 rupees in circulation everywhere. The currency notes are of the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & 1000 rupees. Before changing money check the notes carefully for any damage. We always advice you to exchange money at authorized foreign exchange counter like banks etc.

Arrival & Departure Formalities
Arrival Formalities : If the visa, for stay in India, is for more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigners' 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. The foreigners registered at Foreigners' Registration Office are required to report change of their addresses.

Departure from India : All persons, except nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, leaving by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure.

Exit Formalities : Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India shall surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where he is registered or of the place from where he intends to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the Port/Check post of exit from India.

Airports : The international airports in the metro cities offer a range of services ensuring that the traveler on business can continue working while waiting to board an international connection, or when transferring between international flights. These include restaurants, business centers, rest rooms and handy telephones booths. Business centers are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including word processors and tele-fax. Airports also offer tourist dutyfree & handicrafts shopping, informal snack bars, nursery and baby care rooms, and even an art gallery. Dutyfree prices in the airport shops are very competitive, offering you bargains on international merchandise.

Foreign Travel Tax : Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from a Customs airport/seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT) of Rs. 500 and Rs. 150 on journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka and Maldives. No tax is payable on journeys performed by ship from Rameshwaram to Talaimanar and in case of transit passengers, provided they do not leave the customs barrier. Transit passengers traveling by air who have to leave the airport on account of mechanical trouble but continue their journey by the same aircraft and the same flight number by which they arrive are also exempt from FTT. Transit sea passengers leaving the ship for sightseeing, shopping etc. during the ships' call at any of the Indian ports will not be required to pay FTT.

Health Regulations : Foreign tourists should be in possession of their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulation, if they are originating or transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries. Cholera/Typhoid - Inoculation recommended. Malaria - No certificate required, but advisable to have a course of pills. It is advised to carry good quality first aid box.

Eating and Drinking : We recommend you to always drink bottled water as Tap water available at public places is not recommended for drinking as is not purified in general. Avoid eating at road side open food joints or ice-cream parlors as there are more risk of food contamination. Please don’t eat cut fruit and vegetable being sold by roadside vendors.

Climate : Due to the sheer size of the subcontinent, it is quite difficult to confine the different seasons to particular periods of the year. One can say, India has three major seasons: winter, summer and the monsoons. Prepare your clothing for the tour of India accordingly, it is always advisable to carry full shirts and at least one windcheater.
The winter months (Nov-March) are pleasant throughout India with bright sunny days. In the Northern plains the minimum temperature at times drops steeply, and there is snow fall in the hills. The rest of the country is pleasantly cool, never really cold. The summer months (April-June) are hot in most parts of India with the mercury touching 45 Degrees centigrade. It is the ideal times to explore the sub-Himalayan region. The Monsoons tend to be depressing in some regions, and yet seem to uplift the spirit in some other parts of India.

Clothing : In India there is no restriction on clothing what people wear specially in bid cities both Indian as well as western outfits are accepted. But it is always advised to be respectful of local custom and dress modestly while travelling in rural areas, While it won't entirely eliminate stares and cat calls but it will surely bring you more respect and courtesy from the locals, anywhere in the country. You can wear cotton shirts or T-shirts and trousers or ankle length skirts, the best for all seasons. Jackets, sweater and windcheater are recommended during winter season travelling. Please note, while visiting places of worship (temples, gurudwara, church and mausoleum etc), you must be fully clothed and should not forget to remove your footwear before entering the religious place.

Using Local / Public Transport in India
Auto (Three Wheelers) : The easiest way of transport, almost everyone available but one must negotiate the price before you start.

Local Taxi / Cabs : Taxi's are available on rent everywhere but thumb rule is to negotiate price upto your destination in advance or best take a state run pre-paid taxi from airport/stations. These are fixed price - you pay up front.

Local Transport Bus & Private Coach : The state run transport buses are always appeared hellishly overcrowded hence not recommended until you are brave enough to have an adventurous experience. Private run air-conditioned buses/coaches are good to use if you are travelling on your own.

Travelling by Train in India : India has one of the largest rail networks in the world and lifeline of mass transport. There are Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains run with on-board included catering service and fully air-conditioned but other express / local trains are non-ac. We recommend our guests to opt travel in air-conditioned coaches for higher safety and comfort reasons.

Electricity : The majority of India works on 220 volts AC 50 Hz. However, it is possible that certain areas have DC supplies and it may be a good idea to check before using electrical appliances. Socket sizes vary, so it is well to take along a set of plug adaptors. Please Note: You will probably need to get an adapter for your devices. It's pretty easy to get "all-in-one" adapters that you can use to plug your device's power chord into before plugging into the power supply.

Shopping : India is a "shopper’s paradise" and have choices for one and all. Due to the patronage received over the past centuries, different types of arts developed in different areas. Silk, brocades, carpets, rugs, brass-ware, textile, miniatures, wooden carvings, furniture and jewelry are great bargains. Returning or exchanging of goods once bought is not entertained. If you desire, the shops will export your purchase to your address. Most shops that sell to tourists welcome the major credit cards, some even except personal cheques. We at Truly India Tours advice our guests to use their best shopping skills and make their own judgment at the time of doing shopping be at bid stores or at road side local bazaars.

Tipping : Hotels, restaurants, porters, guides and drivers here all expects tips and go for the best to get it. It is not obligatory to tip, but expectations are there. So its your own choice to tip or not.