Travel Info India
India has a number of airports for national as well as international flights. These days the aviation industry is in the boom period. India’s major international airports areMumbai (Bombay) and Delhi, even though there are plenty of international flights also arriving in Calcutta and Chennai (Madras).
There are more than 20 international airports in India. Apart from that, there are also several domestic airports.
India’s main International Airports are -:
- Delhi: Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Chennai: Chennai International Airport
- Hyderabad: Begumpet Airport
- Kolkata: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
- Mumbai: Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport
Immigration Formalities in India
There is no provision of ‘Visa on Arrival’ in India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. However, there is a provision of granting TLF (Temporary Landing Facility) / TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) to allow entry of foreigners arriving in emergent situations like death/serious illness in the family, without an Indian Visa on cash payment .
This facility can also be extended to transiting foreigners having confirmed onward journey tickets within 72 hours. Apart from this, foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by Air or Sea, sponsored by recognized Indian Travel Agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary can be granted collective landing permit for a specified period of time on the written request of the Travel Agencies to the Immigration officer giving full personal and passport details of the group members 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.
The immigration services at the major International Airports in India and the foreigners’ registration work in five major cities, are handled by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).
The above mentioned provisions of TLF/TLP, however, are not available to the nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Algeria.
Citizens of all countries, except Nepal and Bhutan, require a national passport or travel documents and a visa granted by Indian Missions abroad for entring India. Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens need no passport or visa but should possess documents for their identification when proceeding from their countries.
If your baggage is mishandled or lost in transit, obtain a certificate to this effect from the airline and have it countersigned by the Customs.
Customs Enquiry/Complaints
Assistant Collector of Customs at the International Airport OR Commissioner of Customs, New Customs House, Near IGI Airport, New Delhi – 110 037.
Lost of Passport
Foreigners should file a report with the local police regarding loss of passport.
After obtaining new travel document the foreigner should approach for grant of Visa/Exit Permit with the following details, Date & type of visa,
Name of Indian Mission from where visa was granted,
Port of arrival including flight number/details of vassels,
Places visited in India
Atleast one week time is required for confirming the details and Visa/Exit Permit can be granted after one week.
Currency Declaration, Customs and Baggge Rules
Currency Declaration
The unit of the Indian currency is the Rupee.
Travellers can bring into India any amount of foreign exchange, subject to the condition that on arrival a declaration is made to the custom authorities in a Currency Declaration Form.
Travellers Cheques in US$ and pounds are easily exchangeable and ATMs are available in major Indian cities. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and large stores.
The Financial Year in India is from 1st April to 31st March.
Customs and Baggage Rules
There are two channels for customs clearance :-
Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable goods.
Red Channel for passengers having dutiable goods.
Passengers walking through the Green Channel with dutiable / prohibited goods are liable to prosecution/penalty and confiscation of goods.
On Arrivial
Instructions For Foreignor
However, there is a provision of granting TLF (Temporary Landing Facility) / TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) to allow entry of foreigners arriving in emergent situations This facility can also be extended to transiting foreigners having confirmed onward journey tickets within 72 hours. Apart from this, foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by Air or Sea, sponsored by recognized Indian Travel Agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary can be granted collective landing permit for a specified period of time on the written request of the Travel Agencies to the Immigration officer giving full personal and passport details of the group members 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
The above mentioned provisions of TLF/TLP, however, are not available to the nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Algeria.
Immigration check is done for all passengers, Indians or foreigners, both at the time of arrival and departure. The passports are duly stamped at arrival as well as departure. Passengers should be careful to see that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter.
All passengers, Foreigners as well as Indians, coming to India or departing from India are required to fill-up D (Disembarkation) Card and E (Embarkation) Cards on arrival and departure respectively. The following informations are required to be provided by the passengers in these cards: -
Name and Sex
Date of birth, Place of Birth, Nationality
Passport details viz. number, place and dates of issue/expiry.
Visa details viz. number, place and dates of issue/expiry (for arriving foreigners only)
Address in India
Flight number and date of arrival/departure
Occupation
Purpose of visit to/from India
So, make a plan and have a great time in experiencing the culture of India.
