Group Landing Permits (Visa on arrival)

Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by Air or Sea, sponsored by recognised Indian Travel Agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary can be granted collective landing permit for a specified period of time (maximum for 30 days) on the written request of the Travel Agencies to the Immigration Officer giving full personal and passport details of the group members, itinerary and undertaking to conduct the group as per the itinerary, and an assurance that no individual would be allowed to drop out from the group at any place.

Information about Arrival & Departure

Arrival Formalities
If the visa, for stay in India, is for more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office within 15 days of arrival. Four photographs are also required for registration. The foreigners registered at Foreigners' Registration Office are required to report change of their addresses. All persons including Indian nationals are required to fill in a Disembarkation Card, at the time of arrival.

Departure from India
All persons, except nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, leaving by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure.

Exit Formalities
Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India must surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where he is registered or of the place from where he plans to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the Port/Checkpost of exit from India.

Safety and Emergency Information

Never leave an unlocked suitcase in a hotel room. Never leave suitcases unattended on airports or train stations. Women traveling alone should never get into a taxi or rickshaw if there's a second man accompanying the driver. Women should also chain lock their door when they are in their hotel room. Everyone should be alert in crowds for pickpockets. Wear a money belt. One should be careful while using his or her credit cards.

Hospital Emergency Rooms
East West Medical Center
38 Golf Links, New Delhi 110003
Tel. : 2462-3738, 2469-9229, 2469-0955, 2469-8865
Fax : 2469-0428 or 2463-2382

East West can provide a referral list of doctors, dentists, opticians, chemists and lawyers throughout India. It is also the only clinic in India (so far) recognized by most international insurance companies. Patients, however, pay for services and are reimbursed by their own company or can arrange for payment through S.O.S. East West accepts major cards and is open 24 hours. It also provides 24-hour emergency medical services (including medivac) anywhere in India. Most hotels have chemists that are open daily until about 9 PM. The chemist in Super Bazaar in Connaught Place is open 24 hours.

Religions and Customs
Visiting a religious monument demands respect.

Points to Remember
Removing shoes is mandatory before entering a shrine for all sects, though sometimes cloth overshoes are provided for a small charge. Drinking alcoholic beverages on the premises or speaking in a raised voice is not permissible. Some structures are off-limits to visitors who don't practice the faith. One should not try to force or bribe to enter such places. Women should always be properly dressed and should cover their head before entering a Sikh gurudwara or a mosque. When you enter a mosque, you are supposed to step right foot first into the courtyard. In some Hindu and Jain temples all leather products like shoes, belts, handbags, camera cases etc. are prohibited inside the shrine. Many temples also expect visitors to purify themselves by washing their hands and feet under a tap or tank available there before entering. No visitor in a gurudwara should keep his/her feet pointing towards the Holy Book or step over any one sitting in prayer or meditation. Usually try sitting on the floor of a Hindu or Sikh temple with cross-legged or with feet tucked beneath is best.

Indian Money

The units of Indian currency are the rupee and the paisa (100 paise is equal to one rupee). Paper money comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees. Coins are in denominations of 25 and 50 paise, one rupee, two rupees and five rupees.

Changing Money
Importing and exporting the currency is strictly against the rules. International airports have currency exchange booths that are always open for arriving or departing overseas flights. A good idea would be to change certain amount of money in small denominations.

Always change money from an authorized money-changer and do not forget to take the encashment slip. Some banks now charge a nominal fee for this slip, which is necessary for paying hotel bills or travel expenses in rupees. The encashment slip is also required when reconverting rupees into another currency.

Health Care Information

Foreign tourists should carry their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulation, if they originate or are transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries.

Health risks
Cholera, dengue fever, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria, meningitis (trekking areas only) and typhoid. Travellers with respiratory ailments may wish to take precautionary measures.

Health Certificate
Citizens and travellers coming from the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, do not require any vaccination certificate or innoculations. Though normally an International Health Certificate is not asked for by immigration officials, its better to carry one. It contains valuable information in case one needs medical attention.