Holidays in в Индии

Visa Requirements

To enter India, regardless of the purpose or duration of the trip, a valid Indian entry visa is required.

An Indian visa grants the right to enter India through any airport open for international air traffic: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai.

Required Documents for Entry

1. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of entry into India
2. 6-8 photographs, identical to those submitted with the visa application. These may be required upon arrival in India for registration and residence permit processing
3. Filled special entry cards, issued on board the aircraft, by all passengers (including children). Similar cards must be filled out by each passenger upon departure from the country
4. Return air ticket or ticket to another destination
5. Hotel/resort booking confirmation
6. Travel insurance policy
7. Currency required to pay for services and goods in India

Customs Regulations

Duty-free import is permitted for:

• cigarettes — 200 pcs. or cigars 50 pcs. or tobacco — 250 g;
• alcoholic beverages — 0.95 l;
• jewelry; food; household items — within reasonable personal limits;
• cameras, movie cameras (5 unexposed film rolls and 2 reels of unexposed movie film); musical instruments, record players (10 records), radios, tape recorders, televisions, video recorders; typewriters; sports equipment — one item of each type;
• souvenirs — with a total value not exceeding 500 rupees.

Import is prohibited for:

• narcotics; weapons; gold bullion; gold coins and Indian national currency.

Export is prohibited for:

• skins of wild animals and feathers of birds (rare species); articles made of reptile skin; antique coins, antiquities older than 100 years. Export of gold in bullion or coins requires permission from the Central Bank.

Import of foreign currency is not limited (declaration is mandatory if the amount exceeds 5000 US dollars). Upon departure from the country, customs authorities may check for a certificate of exchange of imported currency for Indian rupees at official exchange points. The absence of such a certificate can cause serious problems, as currency exchange on the black market is prohibited.

Good to Know:

When sharing a meal with Indians, it is strongly advised not to use your left hand for eating. All food should be taken only with the right hand, as the left hand is used for washing after attending to 'unclean' physiological needs.

Given the tropical climate and the presence of particularly dangerous infectious diseases in India (hepatitis, cholera, smallpox, malaria, plague), all sanitary and hygienic precautions must be observed. It is recommended to wash fruits and vegetables with antiseptic soap, and consume milk and water (from plastic bottles) preferably boiled.

When visiting city shops, it is necessary to behave politely, correctly, and with dignity. Before making a purchase, carefully examine the chosen item, find out its price, keeping in mind that shop owners are usually extremely reluctant to exchange goods, even if the sold item has defects. It is not recommended to take goods on credit.