1. Government of India – http://india.gov.in
2. Ministry of Home Affairs-www.mha.nic.in
3. Bureau of Immigration- www.immigrationindia.nic.in
4. Airport Authority of India –www.airportsindia.org.in
5. Central Board of Excise & Customs –www.cbec.gov.in
6. Ministry of Tourism- www.incredibleindia.org, www.tourism.gov.in
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
A. It is obligatory for disembarking passengers to declare details of plants /plant material in the baggage on arrival in India
B. REGISTRATION FORMALITIES FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS:
· If you are entering India on a student, Employment, Research, Medical or Missionary VISA, which is valid for more than 180 days, you are required to register with the FRRO/FRO under whose jurisdiction you propose to stay. This should be done within 14 days of arrival in India, irrespective of your actual period of stay.
· Foreigners visiting India on any other category of VISA that is valid for more than 180 days, are not required to register themselves if their actual stay does not exceed 180 days on each visit. If such a foreigner intends to stay in India for more than 180 days during a particular visit, he/she should get registered within 180 days of arrival in India. PIO Card holder should also register for first stay exceeding 180 days.
· The following categories of foreign nationals are exempted from registration:
a. Those visting India on any short term VISA i.e valid for 180 days or less
b. Children below 16 years of age. (Irrespective of any type of VISA).
c. Holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) VISA.
· Pakistan nationals are required to register within 24 hours of their arrival in India.
· Afghanistan nationals are required to register within 7 days of their arrival in India.
· For updated information please contact Immigration Officer/FRRO/FRO.
C. INFORMATION REGARDING CUSTOMS:
· Indian Customs require you to declare goods in excess of the free allowance, prohibited or restricted goods & commercial goods at Red Channel counter. Export or Import of Narcotics drugs, Wildlife and its products and commercial goods and arms & explosives are prohibited / restricted. Attempt to export or import these goods can lead to penal consequences, including arrest.
· Free allowance for tourist of Indian origin is normally Rs.25, 000/-per passenger, including two liters of whisky/wine and 200 nos. cigarette. However this free allowance is lower for passengers arriving from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China and for children less than 10 years of age. One Laptop computer imported as baggage is allowed duty free for an adult passenger. Tourist of foreign origin can also import duty free gifts and souvenirs worth Rs.8000/-.
· All tourists can import used personal effects e.g. Laptop, Palmtop, Computer, reasonable jewellery free of duty, if they are to re-export these items at the time of departure.
· Passengers should declare foreign currency in the currency declaration form, if currency notes, bank notes or TCs are in excess of US $ 10,000 or equivalent. In case of currency notes only, these are to be declared if the same are in excess of US$ 5,000 or equivalent.
· In case your baggage is mishandled (lost) on arrival, please ensure that you have obtained the Customs endorsement about the unveiled free allowance. In case of any difficulty or complaint, please contact the Customs Officer on duty at the Baggage Reclaim Area.
· For updated information, Please Contact Officer
ABBREVIATIONS
PIO - Persons of Indian origin
OCI - Overseas Citizen of India
NRI - Non Resident Indians
FRRO - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer
FRO - Foreigners Registration Officer