Visa

The government of India defines 'tourist' as a person, not normally resident in India, who enters the country for a stay of not more than six months in any twelve-month period for purely non-immigration purposes, such as touring, recreation, sports, health, family reasons, study, religious pilgrimage or business. The entry of this 'tourist' is governed by a number of regulations:

Visas
All foreign nationals, including those from Commonwealth Nations, require visa to enter India . However there are some relaxation for Bhutanese and Nepalese nationals. Visas are not issued on arrival. Tourist visas are generally valid for a stay of 120 to 180 days. The cost of the visa is US$ 30 for up to six months. If you are planning to visit a neighbouring country, such as Nepal , and then re-entering India , a double/multiple entry visa should be obtained.

As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a Tourist visa. Tourist visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No charges are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of 180 days. You need to keep identical passport photographs. However, in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee is charged the, the amount of which varies from country to country. For extending the visa, you may apply for a letter of permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi . Tel - +91-11-4693334, +91-11-4612543, +91-11-4617649. Thereafter the letter is to be presented to Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) which is located at Hans Bhawan, Tilak Bridge , New Delhi . Tel - +91-11- 3319489, +91-11-3318179 (Timings: 0930 to 1330 and 1400 to 1600 hrs; weekends and national holidays closed). Or you may seek the help of your travel agent.

If a foreigner wishes to come for a purpose other than tourism, he should obtain an appropriate visa for the same. Business Visa — a multiple-entry visa is valid for five years, Student Visa — can be obtained on the production of the proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, Conference Visa — delegates coming to attend international conferences are granted conference visa as well as for tourism purposes, Employment Visa — this is initially granted for one year and can be extended up to the period of contract. Foreigners wanting to study yoga, music, Vedic culture, dance etc, or undertake trekking, botanical expeditions, rafting etc, or sportspersons may obtain their appropriate visas.

Visa Extension / Conversion
Powers of issuing , conversions,extensions of VISA to foreigners residing in India, vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigner's Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division), Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi between 10 AM to 12 Noon on all working days (Monday to Friday). The change of VISA status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs only in extraordinary circumstances.

For further details and updated information, please visit
www.immigrationindia.nic.in/visa_extension.htm

Important Government Agencies
Immigration Department :
The Immigration services at the major International Airports in India and the Foreigners' registration work in five major cities, are handled by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

To know more, please click:
www.immigrationindia.nic.in

Customs on Arrival
There are two customs clearance channels. The green channel is for travellers carrying non-dutiable items while the red channel is for visitors carrying dutiable items. Duty Free include items such as clothing and other articles which may reasonably be required during the stay, provided that, if not consumed in India , they are re-exported on departure. Professional materials, which have a high value, can only be imported duty free if the traveler gives a written undertaking that these articles will be re-exported. This formality should better be done in the home country in consultation with Indian Mission. Take care to obtain an Export Certificate for these items if you are travelling to neighbouring countries and intend a multiple entry.

Visitors are generally required to make a declaration in respect of Foreign Currency in their possession; if it is more than the permitted limit (cash or travellers cheques over US$ 10,000 or equivalent), they will have to obtain a currency declaration form before leaving customs. The import of Prohibited Articles such as dangerous drugs, live plants, gold/silver bullion and coins, not in current use, is either totally prohibited or restricted. Weapons brought into the country should be licensed and declared. Possession of narcotics is strictly prohibited. Separate regulations govern the importation of Commercial Samples and Merchandise. This travelers should consult with High Commission/Embassy before departure.

As regards, Cigarettes, Cigars, Tobacco and Alcohol, tourist may import the following without paying any duty : (a) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; and, (b) 1 litre of wine; and (c) 1 litre of alcoholic liquor.

Indian Currency
The import or export of Indian currency is forbidden without the prior permission of the Reserve Bank of India.

Mishandled Baggage
In case your baggage has been lost or mishandled by the airline, please obtain a certificate to this effect from the airline for follow up with the airline. You should also have the certificate countersigned by the Customs, indicating specifically how much of your duty-free allowance is un-utilized. Customs Enquiry/Complaints: Assistant Collector of Customs at the international airport OR Commissioner of Customs, Near Customs House, Near IGI Airport, New Delhi - 110037, Tel - +91-11- 5652990, E-mail -cusdel@excise.nic.in

Customs on Departure
By law, visitors are banned from taking gold jewellery (above Rs. 6,000), wildlife products and antiques (over 100 years old) out of the country - any infringement is punishable by fines and imprisonment. For verification of antiques, you may contact the Archeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi, Tel - +91-11-3019451 or Archeological Survey of India offices in other states.

Caution
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act bans all forms of wildlife trade. Violations of the provisions of the Act are punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment up to 7 years. Foreigners are, therefore, advised not to buy any wildlife or wildlife products or derivatives — specially ivory articles, fur and skin articles derived from wild animals such as Shahtoosh.

A Foreign Travel Tax must be paid by all tourists on departure — Rs. 150 for departures to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives and Rs. 500 for all other countries.

Further Information
If you have any doubt as to whether any item you are planning to import is dutiable or prohibited you should enquire at the High Commission/Embassy for further details.

Metrological Department :
The link provides information on Local Weather Report and Forecast for New Delhi.
For weather its best to check several like BBC.Co.UK , Weatherunderground.com which are also quite accurate.

To know more, please click:
www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac/wch/dlimd.htm

Excise & Customs Department :
Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs and Central Excise duties, prevention of smuggling and administration of matters relating to Customs, Central Excise and Narcotics to the extent under CBEC's purview.

To know more, please click:
www.cbec.gov.in/


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