Dear Pilgrim,
This is your third Kumbha Mela newsletter. Last time we discussedwho you meet in Delhi, January 17, 2001, important phone numbers inDelhi, temperature, guidelines on clothing, helpful information,etc.
This news update will cover:
-Immigration Passport
-Visas
-Customs Formalities & Regulations
-Currency Regulations
-Arrival & Departure Formalities
-Health Regulations
-Foreign Travel Tax
The advice below is from the tourist office of India.
IMMIGRATION PASSPORT
Citizens of all countries, except Nepal & Bhutan, require avalid national passport or valid travel documents and a valid visagranted by Missions abroad for entering India. Nepalese or Bhutanesecitizens need no passport or visa but should possess suitabledocuments for their identification when proceeding from theirrespective countries.
VISAS
Requirement For Visa : Foreigners desirous of visiting India cando so after obtaining visa from the Indian Mission in their countryof their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport -except in the case of nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, who may carryonly suitable means of identification.
Tourist Visas: Usually, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of180 days, is granted for the purpose of tourism. The visa is validfrom the date of issue.
Exemption from Registration : Foreigners coming to India ontourist visas for 180 days or shorter period are not required toregister themselves with any authority in India. They can move aboutfreely in the country, except to restricted/protected areas andprohibited places. Nationals of Bangladesh are exempted fromregistration up to six months. If their stay exceeds six months, theyhave to register themselves. Individuals without nationality(stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal orpolitical protection, holders of Nansen passport etc.) should havevalid passports, identity documents or sworn affidavits along withthe visa for which they should apply two months in advance. Familypassports issued by other governments are recognized withoutdiscrimination.
Extension of Visa : As a rule no extension of stay is granted on aTourist Visa.
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES & REGULATIONS
Visitors are generally required to make an oral baggagedeclaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in theirpossession. They are also required to obtain the Currency DeclarationForm from the Customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Cardhanded 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 dutiablearticles or unaccompanied baggage.
Red Channel: For passengers with dutiable articles orunaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on thetourist Baggage Re-Export Form.
CURRENCY REGULATIONS
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency ortravelers' checks a tourist may bring into India provided he makes adeclaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival.This will enable him not only to exchange the currency bought in, butalso to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash,bank notes and travelers' checks up to US$ 1,000 or equivalent, neednot be declared at the time of entry. Any money, in the form oftravelers' checks, drafts, bills, checks, etc. in convertiblecurrencies which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency,should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and bankswho will issue an encashment certificate that is required at the timeof reconversion of any unspent money into foreign currency.Exchanging of foreign currency other than banks or authorized moneychangers is an offense under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act1973.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE FORMALITIES
All persons including Indian nationals are required to fill in aDisembarkation Card, at the time of arrival. Four photographs arealso required for registration.
Departure from India : All persons, except nationals of Bhutan& Nepal, leaving by air, road or rail have to fill in anEmbarkation Card at the time of departure.
Exit Formalities : Every foreigner who is about to depart finallyfrom India shall surrender his Certificate of Registration either tothe Registration Officer of the place where he is registered or ofthe placemfrom where he intends to depart or to the ImmigrationOfficer at the Port/Checkpost of exit from India.
HEALTH REGULATIONS
Foreign tourists should be in possesion of their Yellow FeverVaccination Certificate conforming to International HealthRegulation, if they are originating or transiting through YellowFever endemic countries.
FOREIGN TRAVEL TAX
Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from aCustoms airport/seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT)of Rs. 300 and Rs. 150 on journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh,Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS WEB SITE
Central Board of Excise and Customs, India
URL: http://konark.ncst.ernet.in/customs/
The Central Board of Excise and Customs is headed by Chairman ShriB.P. Verma.
He is also a Special Secretary to the Government of India. ShriD.
Central Board of Excise and Customs, India
URL: http://konark.ncst.ernet.in/customs/TR.html