Visitors' Information
Visitors'
Information | Etiquette
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Specifics | Government
and Economy | Documents
Documents
Passports
and Visas
All visitors to India require passports (with at least six
months' validity) and visas.
There are three main categories of visa that include 15-day
single or double-entry transit visas valid for 30 days from
the date of issue, three-month (non-extendable) multiple-entry
visas and six-month multiple-entry visas.
The six-month tourist visa is the only visa that is extendable.
Customs
The following amounts may be imported duty-free:
200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco)
One litre of alcohol
For visitors bringing into the country laptop computers
or video cameras for personal use, it is a good idea to
register them on a 'Tourist Baggage Re-Export' form.
Please note that visitors entering India from Nepal are
not entitled to duty-free imports.
Special Permits
For visitors wishing to travel to the states of Sikkim,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, the Kullu
District and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh and areas
of Uttar Pradesh, authorisation is required from the Indian
government.
Permits are also required for the border region of India
and Pakistan in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
and the Lakshadweep Islands.
Applications for permits should be made to any one of the
following: immigration offices at the international airports
and seaports, Indian embassies, consulates and high commissions
abroad. There are also offices in Darjeeling and Siliguri.
These offices will advise travellers wishing to reach the
more remote parts of India.
Exporting Antiquities
Indian artefacts 100 years old and over, whether purchased
or given, require a permit if they are to be exported.
Medical Requirements
All visitors should have private medical insurance in place
and sufficient insurance to cover repatriation costs should
the need arise.
Departure Tax
There is a minimal departure tax payable at airports and
seaports. Credit card payments are acceptable.
Disclaimer:
Although every effort was made at the time of publication
to ensure the accuracy of the above information, readers
intending to travel are advised to contact the relevant
national embassy for the latest information before embarking
on their journey.
