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The
following information
has been gathered for you to
assist you with your trip. We
hope this information will be of help
to you in making your trip both safe and enjoyable. Always keep in
mind, though, that whenever you are abroad, if you come
into serious difficulties contact the country's
embassy or consulate for information and assistance.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Your trip to
INDIA can be a rich and rewarding
experience. There are ancient cultures
and artistic traditions to admire and a
wealth of natural wonders to see, all co-existing with
modern societies.However, the customs and
local conditions can be as distant from
home as the miles, and
travelers should plan their trips carefully.
CURRENCY & CUSTOMS
REGULATIONS
Most South Asian
countries require that foreign
currency and valuables be
declared upon entry as
a means of enforcing restrictions on
the importation of items such as gold,
electronic ,equipment, firearms, and prescription drugs.
ailure to make an accurate
declaration or other violations of these restrictions can lead to high fines and
imprisonment.
SHOPPING FOR
ANTIQUES
Most
South Asian countries have strict
regulations against the unlicensed export of antiquities. Items that
are antique or even appear to
be , may be confiscated by customs officials unless the
traveler
has proof of authorization from the
appropriate government office to export the antique,
or proof that the item is not an antique.
INDIA
India
is the South Asian country most
frequently visited. Visas must be obtained
before arrival. Persons arriving without visas must
leave on
the next plane. If you plan to travel from India to
Nepal or another
country and return to India, be sure to request a multiple entry
visa. Tourist visas are issued
for a maximum of 90
days. Once in India, visitors who wish to
extend their stay must apply to a Foreigners Regional
Registration Office. Extensions ,
if granted, may not bring
the total visit to more than six
months. Customs regulations prohibiting the
importation of gold or Indian
currency, and regulating
importation of electronics goods, foreign
currency , and firearms are
strictly enforced. Offenders of
these regulations may be jailed,
fined and/or charged duty at
rates exceeding 300 percent of the item's
value. Laws against drug smuggling carry
heavy penalties, including a
ten year prison term. Political
or communal and inter
- caste violence occurs intermittently
in many parts of
the country. Major civil disturbances can pose
risks to a traveler's personal safety and
can disrupt transportation systems and
city services. In response
to communal violence , Indian
authorities may occasionally impose curfews.
Foreigners have rarely been the
targets of communal or political violence in India, and
are principally at risk of becoming
inadvertent victims only if they stray into
demonstrations. Whether dangerous or not,
many areas of India have been declared off-limits to foreigners by the Indian authorities. Permits
are required for
: Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland,Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura,Arunachal Pradesh,
Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and
Spiti District
of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of
Jammu and Kashmir, certain areas of
Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway No.5
running from Ganganagar to Sanchar
in Rajasthan , the Andaman
and Nicobar Islands and the Union Territory of
the Lakshadeep Islands. Persons of
Indian origin can usually
obtain permits to visit
relative in restricted
areas. Other visitors may have
to wait a long time for a permit or
be unable to obtain one. Consult the latest Department of State
Consular Information Sheet on which areas are restricted.
Once in India, consult the country Embassy or the
nearest country consulate for information on
restricted areas
and advice on obtaining permits to visit them. None of
the popular tourist sites in India are in restricted areas.
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