ADVISORY FOR FOREIGNERS TRAVELLING TO INDIA

Ban on use of Satellite Phone

Satellite telephone services are not permitted in India. Under Section 6 of Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act. Any foreign national visiting India and found to be making unauthorized use of satellite telephone services as e.g. Thuraya and Irridium will be prosecuted and all the sets found in his/her possession will be seized.

Visit to the restricted/protected areas

Foreigners may visit restricted/protected areas only after obtaining a valid permit. Your visa alone does not allow travel to these areas. For detailed information, please visit Bureau of Immigration Website, https://boi.gov.in/

Health regulations

Foreigners coming from or through Yellow Fever countries must hold a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. For detailed information please visit:

https://boi.gov.in/content/health-regulation

Wildlife Protection

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act bans all forms of wildlife trade. Violations of the provisions of the Act are punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment. Foreigners are, therefore, advised not to buy any wildlife or wildlife products or derivatives especially ivory, fur, skin and articles made out of wild animals.

Ban on use of psychotropic and narcotic drugs

Please note that buying, selling, using or being in possession of psychotropic drugs or any other narcotic substance while in India is a cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment.

Fraudulent websites for Indian e-Visa

Indian e-visa seekers may kindly note that the following websites claiming to provide e-Tourist Visa services to visa applicants desiring to travel to India are fake and do not belong to Government of India:

1. e-touristvisaindia.com

2. indianvisaonline.org.in

3. e-visaindia.com

The official website for e-visa is: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

Customs declarations

For information regarding baggage, customs declaration and currency etc. please go to web-link

http://www.cbec.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/guide_for_travellers/guide-for-travellers

Requirement of Registration of Foreigners in India

All foreigners (including foreigners of Indian origin) visiting India on long term (more than 180 days) Student Visa, Medical Visa, Research Visa and Employment Visa are required to get themselves registered with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay, within 14 days of arrival. However, Pakistan nationals are required to register within 24 hours of their arrival. All Afghan nationals are required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival except those Afghan nationals who enter India on a visa valid for 30 days or less provided the Afghan national concerned gives his/her local address in India to the Indian Mission/FRRO/FRO. The Afghan nationals who are issued visas with ‘Exemption from police reporting’ are exempted from Police reporting as well as exit permission provided they leave within the validity of their via period.

All Business Visa holders are required to register themselves with the FRRO/FRO concerned in case the aggregate stay in India on Business visa exceeds 180 days during a calendar year. Foreigners entering on Entry (X) and Business visas valid for more than 180 days are required to register with the FRRO/FRO if they continuously intend to stay for more than 6 months on each visit. Their visa should bear the endorsement “Stay not to exceed 180 days and hence no registration required.”

Registration is also required in the case of visa less than 180 days if there is special endorsement “registration required” made on visa sticker.

Foreigners other than those mentioned above will not be required to get themselves registered, even if they have entered India on a long term visa provided their continuous stay in India does not exceed 180 days. If the intention of the foreigner is to stay in India for more than 180 days, he/she should get himself/herself registered well before the expiry of 180 days from the date of arrival with the FRRO/FRO concerned.

Foreigners (including minors falling within 16 to 18 years of age) have to report in person or through an authorized representative to the appropriate Registration Officer for registration. No registration is required in respect of children below the age of 16 years.

https://boi.gov.in/content/general-instructions-registration-foreigners

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The information given here is limited and general in nature and shall not constitute a basis for any claim. Endeavors have been made to keep the information accurate and updated. Consulate reserves the right to change or withdraw the information at any time without notice. Besides, while Consulate advises the general public to visit the relevant/linked website for more information, it accepts no responsibility or liability for the contents of any other website linked to this website.