INDIA
TRAVEL INFORMATION
TRAVEL INFORMATION
U.S. Passports
U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html Make sure that you have a valid passport for at least six months following the visit date with sufficient blank pages.
India – Country specific information
U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html This link will provide you with important information before you begin your trip to India including country description, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, information for victims of crime, medical facilities and health information, medical insurance, traffic safety and road conditions, aviation safety oversight, special circumstances, criminal penalties, children’s issues and registration/embassy location.
Indian Visa
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html#entry_requirementsU.S. citizens require a valid passport and valid Indian visa to enter and exit India for any purpose. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S. citizens arrive without proper documentation.
The Indian Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. outsourced the visa application process to Travisa Visa Outsourcing: http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com
India Government Ministry of Home Affairs: http://www.mha.nic.in/
Travelers are urged to check this site before any travel to India to ensure they have the most current information.
Embassy of India
2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 939‐9806
Website: http://www.indianembassy.org
Indian Consulate in Chicago: http://chicago.indianconsulate.com
Indian Consulate in New York: http://www.indiacgny.org
Indian Consulate in San Francisco: http://www.cgisf.org
Indian Consulate in Houston: http://www.cgihouston.org
Health information for travelers to India ‐ Vaccinations and other health precautions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.htm
Be sure you read through this guide.
Safety tips for traveling abroad
U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
This is an important safety guide. Please make sure you read through this guide. Register your travel plans with the State Department at https://travelregistration.state.gov is recommended
by the State Department.
OVERSEAS CITIZENS SERVICES:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
Call 1‐888‐407‐4747 (from overseas: 202‐501‐4444) for answers related to questions concerning the:
• Death of an American citizen abroad
• Arrest/detention of an American citizen abroad
• Sending Money
• Help for American Victims of Crime Overseas
• American citizens missing abroad
• Abduction of a child abroad
• Lost and Stolen U.S. Passports Abroad
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India:
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91‐11‐2419‐8000; fax +91‐11‐2419‐8407. The Embassy's web site is
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai
Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91‐22‐2363‐3611; fax +91‐22‐2368‐5483. The web site is
http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91‐33‐3984‐2400; fax +91‐33‐2282‐2335. The web site is
http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006;
telephone +91‐44‐2857‐4000; fax +91‐44‐2857‐4443. The web site is
http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.
Reminder: Have your important documents, contact information, medications, a set of clothes and other necessities in your carry‐on luggage in the event of lost or delayed luggage.
Cultural/national information for India:
India profile
U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3454.htm
Information Includes geography, people, government, economy, history, political conditions, defense, foreign relations, U.S.‐Indian relations, and travel and business information.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the‐worldfactbook/geos/in.html
Information covers background, geography, people, government, economy, communications,
transportation, military and transnational issues.
Wikitravel: http://wikitravel.org/en/India
Information Includes religions, cities, other destinations, understand, get in, get around, talk,
buy, eat, drink, learn, work, stay safe, stay healthy and respect.
Education system
• Government of India ‐ http://www.education.nic.in/
• India Embassy ‐ http://www.indianembassy.nl/pg133000.htm
• World Education Services ‐ http://www.wes.org/ewenr/06feb/practical.htm
• India Education ‐ http://www.indiaedu.com/education‐india/
• Wikipedia ‐ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_India
Reminder: Please check the educational system in which the visited institution resides and make sure the visited programs are postsecondary level in the host country.
Etiquette and customs in India, business etiquette and protocol in India
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global‐etiquette/india‐country‐profile.html
Source: Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions
Culture of India
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_India
Indian name
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_name
Other useful information and links about India
* Holiday Calendar ‐ http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2011&country=35 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_holidays_by_country#India
Reminder: Please request that the institution provide the institution’s work week, daily schedule for praying, local, national and religious holidays.
* Currency ‐ The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise (singular
paisa). Use the currency converter at http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/.
* Money – where to exchange money? Can I use traveller cheques or credit card? Get info at
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/India/Currency
Reminder: Don’t forget to notify the banks of all credit cards that you plan to carry with you of the dates and locations of travel. Otherwise, they may think that any charges to your card are fraudulent and put a hold on the card, leaving you unable to use it during your travel.
* Airport/Transportation Guides ‐
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/India/Airports
* Dialing Code – The international access code for India is +91. The outgoing code is 00 followed
by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).
* Time – Local time is GMT +5.5. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=771
(Delhi) or http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?continent=asia&sort=1
(select a city in India)
* Weather ‐ visit Yahoo!'s up to date weather for India at
http://weather.yahoo.com/india/;_ylt=ArpCVuEChwmr_17KiD66pLAiYfME
* Language – Although English is generally used for official and business purposes, Hindi is the
official language and is spoken by about 30 percent of the population. Urdu is the language
common with the Muslim demographic. There are 16 other languages also spoken.
* Electricity ‐ 240 volts, 50Hz. A variety of power outlets are used in India, but most plugs have
two or three round pins.
Reminder: Check to see if adapters are needed for lap tops or electronic devices.
* Tipping ‐ Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped, however all other services expect small tips, including porters, guides, hotel staff and waiters in small establishments. In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills. Baksheesh is common in India, it is more a bribe than a tip and will ensure better service; it is given before rather than after the service.
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/India/Basics
* Translation Services ‐ if you need a translation service, you can try this link at
http://www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories/individuals.php
* News ‐ check out all the latest Google news on India at
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=India
* History – read about the long and rich history of India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_India
