Visitors Guide to India

Residency, Visas and Passports

All visitors to India are required to carry a passport that is valid for a minimum of 190 days upon entry. Different regulations of visas apply to different nationalities, so it is advisable to contact a consulate prior to travelling. This will ensure correct and up to date information is obtained.

Visas cannot be arranged at the moment of entry to India, so prior organisation is necessary. The various types of visas include tourist, business and transit, each requiring a fee payment. Tourist visas are valid for up to 6 months and cost approximately £30.

Some areas of India are considered protected or restricted zones. Intention to travel into these areas will require prior permission with the issuing of a permit, costing around £20. These permits also need to be obtained prior to travelling.

The only residency option for non-Indian nationals wishing to live in the country is an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). While it is titled as citizenship, the OCI does not qualify the holder for an Indian passport, voting rights or government employment. The OCI scheme has been initiated to enable an ease of travel and residency, along with economic benefits for the economy. The OCI enables holders to receive a multipurpose, lifelong visa to visit India and the ability to purchase real estate with full freehold title.

OCI holders wishing to obtain full citizenship in India are required to be registered for a minimum of 5 years, having lived in India for a minimum of 1 full year prior to application.

Getting There

As India as long been a popular destination offering an exotic land for travel and cultural emersion, good networks of direct and connecting flights are available. Flight time from the UK is approximately 8 hours, and the country holds four main international airports. The two main national carriers, Air India and Indian Airlines, both connect to New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai from International routes.

Travelling to India by road, rail and sea is possible, yet with fewer connections in comparison with air travel. Several road and sea routes are often closed due to political situations and areas surrounding borders can be dangerous at times. Surrounding country road connections include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

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Local Transport

Local transport networks are extensive throughout India. With the second highest population in the world, transport is also often extremely crowded. All of the country’s major towns and cities are well connected by air, road and rail, yet rural areas can be severely under developed.

Tourists are often advised to avoid driving near areas of conflict, as the roads can be very dangerous, yet the touristic areas are generally free of problems.

Domestic airlines include Indian Airways, Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Jet Lite and Kingfisher Airlines. Air passes are available for foreigners wishing to arrange extensive air travel around the country. Rail passes are also available for unlimited travel, which can be purchased in the main stations.

There are 6 different classes of service for rail travel in India, with the luxury transport options being the most popular amongst overseas visitors. The luxury train services include the Palace on Wheels, the Deccan Odyssey, the Golden Chariot and the Fairy Queen. For fast rail travel, there are express trains connecting several major cities.

General travel within cities and large towns is most popular by private car, taxi, rickshaw and chauffer driven cars. Visitors are often advised against using hire cars as the traffic can be very heavy and erratic. The chauffer driven cars are more readily available and can often result as a cheaper option compared with taxis.

Metro systems operate in Delhi and Calcutta, with extensions expected to be completed in 2010. While bus transport is normally uncomfortably overcrowded, they provide an extensive network throughout the country. Buses are also the ideal form of transport into mountainous regions where flights and rail do not connect.

Visiting off-shore islands such as the Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands is possible by ferry transfers, with catamarans also operating routes between Mumbai and Goa. All sea transport is generally seasonal, with routes suspended during the monsoon season.

Health & Safety

Although India can at times be involved in political issues with neighbouring countries, and also receive terrorist threats, the majority of travellers have a thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening and trouble free visit. Safety cautions involve common sense travel advice, such as staying away from large, crowded gatherings such as demonstrations, and avoiding areas of the country that are considered by authorities as being unsafe to visit.

Health precautions are especially important as the medical facilities in India are often limited, especially outside major cities. Special medications may not be available, so should be bought with you. Carrying the prescription for special medications is also important, as charges against drug trafficking can be very harsh.

Water and dairy products must be boiled and treated with caution. Many unsuspecting travellers have suffered the effects of stomach upsets, making for a very uncomfortable flight home.

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