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GENERAL
INFORMATION
PASSPORT &
VISA
Citizens of all the country need to have a valid passport and an
entry , transit or tourist visa obtained from the Indian Mission
in their country. Tourist Visa is normally valid for 120 days.
Visa extensions can be got by applying to the Ministry of Home
Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, (Ph: 4693334 ,4612543
and 4617649) The letter should be handed over at the Foreigners
Regional Registration Office at Hans Bhavan, Tilak Bridge, near
ITO. (Ph: 3319489/8179). It is open from 0930 hrs to 1330 hrs
and 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs. (It is closed on weekends and national
Holidays) Those wishing to visit a neighbouring country like Sri
Lanka or Nepal, and then coming back to India, should obtain a
double/multiple entry Visa.
REGISTRATION
All foreigners are required to get themselves registered with
the Foreigners Regional Registration Office(FRRO) which is
situated in Hans Bhavan, Tilak Road, near the Income Tax
Office(ITO). The building is very close to India Gate
CUSTOM CLEARANCE
Those without any dutiable goods or high value articles or
foreign exchange more than US $2,500 or unaccompained baggage
which need to be declared, can walk through Green Channel. All
others need to pass through the Red Channe. Goods upto Rs 750 (Rs.
12,000 for persons of Indian origin) for personal use or as
gifts are exempt from duty. Beyond the free baggage limit, the
duty rate is 52% plus 2% special duty.
Those not
entitled
Persons from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China do not get any
free allowances, while in case of nationals of Sri Lanka and the
Maldives, it is Rs. 6000 if they stay for more than three days
and Rs. 3000 if the stay is less.
Tousist Baggage Form
On arrival, a TBRE (tourist baggage re_export form) is to be
shown with the entered articles to Customs for verification at
the time of departure
Landing certificate:
It is required if you are expecting unacompained baggabge as
also for mishandled baggage.
Bringing in
currency:
Any amount in the form of currency, travellers cheques and the
like can be brought in and the same amount can be taken back. In
case the amount exceeds US $10,000 in the form of currency
notes, travellers cheques or bank notes / or currency notes
alone of more than US $2,500, they have to be declared on
arrival on the Currency Declaration Form (CDF), duly attested by
the Custom Officer.
Indian currency:
No Indian currency can be brought in or taken out, and while
remitting money to India the full address of the bank should be
given.
Money changing:
The unit of currency is the rupee and all money should be
changed with authorised money changers available at various
places. You should insist on a receipt which will help in
reconverting the money whenever you desire so. It is better to
avoid touts who may offer higher sums than the prevailing value.
Export curbs:
All articles brought in can be taken back. from India one can
take back souveniors worth Rs 1,00,000 in value and more than
that after getting permission from the Reserve Bank of India.
Jewellery or precious stones of high value need an advance RBI
permit as also appraisal by the Customs Appraiser at the airport
in advance.
Antiquities, art objects:
Restrictions exist on art objects more than 100 years old. Any
doubts should be got cleared from Director Antiquities,
Archaeological survey of India, Janpath, Ph: 3017220. Export of
wildlife items is prohibited and in some cases regulated.
Foreign Travel Tax:
Rs 500 and only Rs 150 for citizens of Afganistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal and sri Lanka.
ARRIVAL, LEAVING THE AIRPORT
Transport of various sorts is available at the Indira Gandhi
International Airport. These include autorickshaws, taxis, and
even buses most of which are operated by private operators.
There is also a prepaid taxi service and it is advisable that
this facility is made use of as it proves to be the most
economical.
TIME DIFFERENCE
The standard time for India is calculated from Allahabad and is
common to all cities. Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and
30 minutes ahead of London, 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of
Paris, about 10 hours 30 minutes behind New York, 3 hours and 30
minutes behind Tokyo and 4 hours and 30 minutes behind Sydney.
CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Master Charge, Visa and Diners Club credit
cards are generally accepted by large establishments including
hotels, shops, and airlines.
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