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.

Stock Market

For Daily analysis of Indian Stock Market visit  www.crnindia.com  &  www.stockmarketmessages.com