A to urist, in o rder to cross in ternatio nal boun daries, req uires certain L ..
. .fi d lik . . orma 1
1t1es wh·1YJ
,..!_
mdude spec1 c ocuments e passport, vtsa, health certificate, forejgn curren d
documents. So, these formalities are the basic requiremen ts of a tourist.
. .
befo:
an. ~to~
arnvmg to
a
tourist desnnanon.
PASSPORT
It is an official document showing a traveller's identity, issued by the competent authori
(Ministry of External Affairs-Go vernment of India). A passport also denotes the proof;
nationality. Other than allo,ving access to another country, the passport can be used as a
means of identificati on. Another purpose of the passport is to provide evidence of legal'
entry into another country. ·
Some countries allow joint passports. That means that two or more people traveling together
hold a single joint passport. Spouses and/or their children may obtain a joint passport. The
passport holder may also travel using the passport ""'ichouc being accompanie d by those who
are also included on the passport. provided those others included on the passpon remain at
their country of residence. Citizens of all countries require a valid passport and visa granted by
Indian embassies for entering India. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan when proceeding from
their respective countries need no passport or visa. However, iden tification certificate is needed.
Travel agents should ensure that:
I. Clients understand that individuals wishing to travel to another country usually require
a passport.
2. The client's passport is valid for the whole time spent traveling.
3. Clients are made aware of any other regulations relating to the passport's validity, e.g.
some countries require that a passport be valid for up to six months beyond an
individual's stay in a particular country.
4. People who travel on a joint passporr must travel together. For example, a mother and
child traveling to America. The mother would not be able to continue her journey to
Australia, for e...xample, leaving her child in America. This is because the child would
be left with no proof of legal entry into the country and therefore would not be able
to leave without rhe n1other.
An agent ,\,ill be confronted with many passports issued by various countries. The
information that agents need to refer to might be located in different places. Having stated
this, there are general ntles (useful to remember) regarding the validity and other infomwion
contained ,vithin passports. These include: ..
l. A passport is normally valid for ten years.
2. A passport is normally valid for all countries unless exceptions are JlOm'CL
3. A passpon that is ten years old or that has no further room for villa_.
by one.
Clu:ck the p;,[Link] expiry date (some counties require that an individual's passport be
4.
valid for six months beyond the travelees intended length of stay).
Children over rhe age of sixteen will normally require their own pas5ports.
5.
t\ passport remains the property of the issuing authority and can be withdrawn at any
timi:.
All passports gener~1lly contain similar informaLion. This includes:
1. Fan1ily name
...
) Given name
3. Nationality
4. Date of birth
5. Children
6. Se.x
7. Place of birch
8. Date of issue
9. Authority
10. Date of expiry
11. Observation
12. Holder,s signature
13. Holder's photograph
Other travel documents are also used instead of passports.
These include:
1. Identification cards (I/D cards)
2. Travel certificates
3. Military I/D cards
4. Seaman discharge books
S. Affidavits
6. Government issued birth certificates
Types of Passports
Regular Passport (Navy Blue cover) .
. d business trips (36 or 60 pages).
Issued for ordinary travel, such as vacations an
Diplomatic Passport .(Maroon cover)
anki overnment officials and diplomatic couriers
Issued to Indian diplomats, consular cop r ~g g lar status under international law
. . . . h b
on m1ss10ns ent1tlmg t e earer co d'plomat1c
1 or consu
and customs.
Alien ·s Passport
· d'1v1'd uals living in a country of which they are not
• d co m
This type of passport may be issue
c1t1zens.
Official Passport (White cover)
Issued to individuals representing the Indian government on official business.
Other Passports
International Red Cross & laissez-passer travel documents supplied to refugees. These are
passports issued by international organizations such as the United Nations and the
International Red Cross.
Indian Passports have a navy blue cover, with the Emblem of India emblazoned in the
center of the front cover. The words in Hindi and English: "PASS PO RT" inscribed above
the Emblem and Hindi and English "REPUBLIC OF INDIA'' inscribed below the Emblem.
The standard passport contains 36 pages, but frequent travellers can opt for 60 pages.
VISA
It is an endorsement on passport - a type of permission granted to the visitor by the
Embassy of the visiting country. Foreigners desirous of visiting India can do so after obtaining
a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence.
Tourist Visa
The Tourist Vis~ is a ~ultiple entry visa valid for a period of 180 days, granted for the
purp~se ~f t~uns~. V1s1ts to family ~d friends are covered by this visa. The six month
Tourist Visa is valid from the date of issue. Tourist Visas can also be given for 3 months•
'fhree month visas are :alid from the date of first entry into India, which must be within 2
_months of the date of 1ssue. Three month visas are gradually being phased out.
General requirements are:
I. A correctly completed application form in black ink and block capitals.
2. The applicanes original passport. It must be valid for at least six months and have at
least 4 free pages.
3, Correct visa fee, payable only in cash or by bank draft.
4. Two passport-size photographs.
5, If you do not hold a passport for the country you are resident in, you must supply
proof of residence (e.g. National ID Card, Driver's License). You are likely to be
charged extra for your visa, and processing time may be longer (allow 3 weeks
minimum).
Tourist Visas are the most straightforward to apply for.
Transit Visa
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for stops of up to 72 hours within 15
days from date of issue. This visa is issued only for changing of flights en route to another
country.
For a successful application for a Transit Visa, you must satisfy the general requirements,
and provide:
I. Evidence of airline tickets for your onward journey
2. A valid visa for the final destination
Business Visa
Visitors travelling to India on business are generally granted multiple entry Business Visas
valid for up to 6 months. It is also possible to obtain longer term multiple entry Business
Visas, valid for up to 5 years. The period of stay in India for each visit is limited to 180
days.
Together with the general requirements, applications should be supporte d by:
1.
Documents from Indian companie s/firms confirmi ng a business relationship
2.
A letter from the sponsoring organization, detailing
(i) The nature of applicant's business
(ii) The probable duration of stay
(iii) The length of visa required
(iv) The places and organizations to be visited
(v) A guarantee to meet maintenance expenses
Individual em~es may have further requirements. Conmct your local mission fur more infunnation.
Employment Visa
The Employment Visa is issued to skilled Jnd qualified professionals who are appointed by
organizations as technicians, technical experts, senior executives, etc. In addition to the
general requirements, applicants are required co submit proof of employment by the company
or organization. An appointment letter, contract letter, applicant's resume and proof that
the organization is registered in India are required.
Student Visa
The Student Visa is valid for the period of study in India, up to a maximum of 5 years.
l\Iultiple-entry visas are given to genuine students to pursue regular studies at recognized
institutions in India.
Requirements:
1. General Requirements.
.
2. A letter confirming admission from a recognized institution.
3. Evidence of financial arrangements for the stay in India.
4. In the case of admission to medical or paramedical courses, a Letter of Approval or No
Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is required.
5. For admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/technical institutions
in India, a Letter of Approval or No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Human
Resources Development (Depanment of Education) is required.
Entry Visa
Entry Visas are valid for six months to five years stay with multiple entry. This visa is only
given to persons of Indian origin. However, members of the family of a person employed in
India are also eligible for Entry Visas. You need to ask your local Indian Mission for full
details of supporting documents required.
Conference Visa
Visitors attending conferences in India should apply for the Conference Visa. Applications
may take up to four weeks.
Requirements:
1. General Requirements plus.
2, A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference.
,.r-~s for internatio nal conferenc
•
es,
•
or on certain subJ'ects as decided by the G overnment of
\ 1~ • •
India from time to tune, will be issued only after clearance for the said conference is received
[rotn the Government of India.
Journalist Visas 0-Visa)
Journalists can obtain a 3 month, single entry visas from a consular office on submission of
doctUilentary proof of status (for example, an employment card or original letter from a
reputed News/Media agency~. The J-Visa is valid for all purposes other than film shooting.
The initial three month penod can be extended by applying to:
Ministry of External Affairs
Shastri Bhawan
New Delhi- I I 0001
A six month, multiple entry J-visa is available to journalists who are going to India to
work in a branch office of a Foreign Media Company. You should apply directly to your
local consular office. The application must be supported by a letter of appointment from
the Foreign Media Company office. This visa is also available to journalists replacing a
correspondent already in India.
To shoot films and documentaries in India you need prior approval. Applications can be
quite involved, and you should check with your local consular office for details. As an
example, the Consular Office in Vienna, Austria requires:
1. Application Form for Visa.
2. Application Form and undertaking for filming documentaries in India.
3. Application for filming at protected monume nts.
4. List of team members along with name, nationality, date of birth, passport number,
place and date of issue and validity, occupation etc.
5. List of cinematic equipme nt with description and brand name.
6. Synopsis of the proposed film project.
7. Filming programme stage by stage and date by date.
8
· Letter from the producer specifying the hospitality required.
9
· Publicity Returns: TV Channel where the documen tary will be screened (details of
date/time/duration etc.).
~ch Visa: Research Vtsas are valid for the period of research only. You must obtain approval
[Link] the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education), New Delhi•
Co
:lltacc your local Indian Mission for full details, as visas are granted on a case by case basis.
Missionary Visa
The Missionary Visa is a single entry visa valid for a duration as approved by the Government
of India.
Requirements:
1. General Requirements.
2. Three copies of the letter from rhe sponsoring organization indicating.
(i) The intended destination in India.
(ii) The expected length of stay.
(iii) The nature and purpose of work co be carried out.
3. A letter of guarantee from the sponsoring organization for the applicant's maintenance in India.
It can cake up to 3 months to process an application for a Missionary Visa.
Collective Visa
Collective Visas can be issued co group tours of not less than 4 members and sponsored by
a government recognized travel agency. Such groups may split into smaller groups to visit
different places in India after obtaining a collective "license to travel" from Indian immigration
authorities. However, the group must reassemble and depart together. General requirements
and supporting documents are as indicated for standard Tourist Visas and detailed here.
Medical Visa
With Union Tourism Ministry eyeing medical tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs has
agreed to issue medical visas of one-year duration, which can be extended up to three years,
for a patient along with a companion for treatment in India. Medical visas will be available
to all foreign nationals, including those of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
However, registration formalities for Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals will be as per the
prevailing provisions. Foreigners coming on Medical visa are required to register themselves
within 14 days of arrival. Medical visas are issued on certain conditions.
Extension of Visa
Citizens of all countries require a valid national passport or valid travel documents and valid
visa granted by Indian Missions abroad for entering India.
Arrival Fonnalities: If the visa for a stay in India is more than 180 clays, a Registr~on
R_egi'tratl;
certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigner's
Office within 15 days of arrival. All persons, including Indian nationals arc
in a D1sembarkat1on Card at the time of arrival. Four photographs are also req~
req~:for
registration. The Foreigners registered at the Foreigner's Registration Office are rapai,ed '°
report any change of address.
E,:tit £ ~ - £,.-eq~ foreigner who is aha:::: ro deya..rr finally &om India should surrender
~ [Link] of [Link] ci~c.r ro me Regisrrarion Officer of the place where he/ she is
registered oc of the place irore ~vh~re_ he she_intends to d.ep2rr_ or to ~he Immigration
officer ar the Poru Check pos~ o.t ai:: rrorn India. All persons leaving India by air, road or
sail }[Link];-e ro fill in an Embarkatio.c Card at che rime of deparrure.
A rourist can extend his scar in India be--.·cmd 180 da:-~- provided he should apply ro the
foreigners• [Link] Regisrracion Office iocaced in New Delhi, :,iumba.1, Chenna.i and Kolkara
,_ any of the offices of Superintendent of Police in che District Head Quarters.
CUSTOMS FORA-1Al!TIES
for the purpose of cusroms. a tourist is defined as a person not normally a resident of lndi~
who enters India for a period up to six month.s for ~egitimare non-immigration purposes,
1
such as tourism, recreation. sporr.s, health, family, study pilgrimage or business.
Vasitors are usually required to make an oral baggage declaration of the baggage and foreign
amcncy in their [Link]. They also have ro obram the Currency Declararion Form from
me Customs depamnent They are also bound to fill in the Disembarkation Card handed
e,a- to them by the airlines during the course of the flight. For rhe smooth passage of the
lOUrists at the airport check-in counter5, cwo channels have been provided. One is green
d,annd, meant for passengers not having any of che dutiable arrides or unaccompanied
~ - On the contrary; for passengers \vith dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage
high-value arricles (to be entered on rhe Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form,, the red
dm,nd is there ar service.
OURIST BAGGAGE RE-EXPORT f .QRM (TBRE)
dutiable arriclesy unaccompanied baggage, or high-\Talue arricles carried along with the
'8Sleneer must be entered on a tourist baggage re-export form 1TBREJ. These articles must
re-exported at the time of deparrure. A failure ro re-exporr anything listed on the 1BRE
ia;omes a payable duty levied for each missing item.
URRENCY REGULATIONS
bank notes, and travellers' cheques up to US S 10,000 or equivalent need nor be
at the time of enrry. If the amount exceeds the given limit then the passenger has
illlC~;c in the currency declaration form, rhe amount of foreign currency or [Link]~'
brought by him at the time of arrival. If done then there are no .restriaions. This
only enable him to exchange the currency brought in, but also ro rake the remaining
way to home on departure. Any money in rhe form of travellers' cheques, drafts,
~!QUtes, etc., in convertible currencies that tourists wish to convert into Indian currency
be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks.
BAGGAGE RULES
The following duty-free possessions are permissible: clothes and _jewelry, cameras and up to
five rolls of film; binoculars, a portable musical instrument, a radio 0 _r portable tape r_ecorder,
a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets, 200_ c1gar~ttes
or 50 cigars, 95 litres of liquor, and gifts not exceeding a value of R..s: 600. There is no lunit
to carrying items of personal effects for tourists (other than ciuzens, of Nepalese and
bhutanese origin) coming from their respective countries. Articles chat exceed the duty-free
allowance and articles imported as unaccompanied baggage can ~e cleared ~n payment_ of
duty at the rate of 61.2% ad valorem. However, cigarettes exceedmg 200, cigars exceeding
50, tobacco exceeding 250 g, and alcoholic liquor and wine in excess of ~ne litre each will
attract higher duty. Separate rates of duty have been fixed for gold and silver.
Things to Remember:
Please jot down the correct declaration of your baggage.
1. If your baggage is within free allowance limits, walk through the Green Channel.
2. Passengers caught red-handed with dutiable/prohibited goods in the Green Channel
are liable to prosecution/penalty and confiscation of goods.
HEALTH REGULATIONS
A person arriving in India from an area considered infected with yellow fever (South America
and Africa) is required to have a valid international certificate of vaccination against yellow
fever. Any person, foreigner or Indian (excluding infants below six months) arriving by air
or sea without a vaccination certificate of yellow fever will be kept in quarantine isolation
for a period of 6 days if:
1. He arrives in India within 6 days of departure/ transit from a yellow fever endemic
area.
2. He has come on a ship which has started from or transited at any pon in a yellow fever
endemic country within 30 days of its arrival in India, provided such ship has not
been disinfected as per WHO procedure.
The following countries are regarded as yellow fever endemic:
Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, etc.
South America: Brazil, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, Panama, etc.
INCOME TAX CLEARANCE
If a foreigner wants to stay in India beyond 120 days, an IT clearance certificate is required
to leave the country. This document proves that the person's stay in India was financed by
bis own money and nor by working or selling his goods. The foreign section of the IT Dept.
at New Delhi/K olkata/C hennai & Mumbai issues these certificates.
FOREIGN TRAVE L TAX
Passengers embarki ng on a journey to any place outside India from a customs airport/
teaport will have to pay Foreign Travel Tax (FTr) of Rs. 500/- and Rs. 250/- for neighbo ring
oounuies. Transit passenge rs travellin g by air who have to leave the airpon on account of
·rcraft mechani cal trouble, but continu e their journey by the same aircraft and flight
~umber by which they arrived are exempt from FTT.
'-