India Winter Break – Travel to India FAQ’s
1. What important documents do I need to enter India?
2. Where do I get a VISA?
3. Where is the closest Embassy of India to me?
4. What kind of medications/vaccines do I need?
5. Where can I get my medication/vaccines?
6. How much luggage can I bring?
7. Where and how should I order my plane tickets?
8. Helpful Links and Resources
What important documents do I need to enter India?
1. Valid Passport – (Required)
Make sure your passport does not expire while in India!
2. Visa – (Required)
Apply for a Tourist Visa – meant for individuals touring India.
3. Identity Card (Optional)
Always a good idea to keep an extra photo ID handy - i.e. license, University ID
** Make Copies of ALL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. Keep a copy with you AND with friends/family at home.
Where do I get a VISA?
This is a required document for all US Citizens to enter India. Please note that as of October 1, 2007 many consulates/embassies have outsourced their Visa Services to a company called The Travisa Outsourcing Inc.
Direct link to apply for a Visa Online:
http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/get-a-visa.html
More information on your local Travisa Outsourcing Locations –
http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/
Washington D.C.
The Travisa Outsourcing Inc:
1731 21st. St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (866) 631-7296
Fax: (202) 299-0687This location services residents of these states:
Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West VirginiaDrop-off hours:
9:00am to 12:30pm EST and 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Pickup hours: 4:30pm to 6:00pm EST
Fill out Application Online — http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/get-a-visa.htmlNew York
The Travisa Outsourcing Inc:
316 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-754-9900
Fax:212-754-9905
Email: newyork@travisaoutsourcing.com
Web: http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.comThis location services residents of the following states:
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and the Virgin IslandsTravisa Outsourcing is open Monday to Friday, except on holidays.
Dropoff hours: 9:00am to 12:00pm EST and 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Pickup hours: 4:30pm to 6:00pm ESTChicago
Consulate General of India Chicago
17 North State Street, Suite #1630
Chicago, IL 60603
Tel. (312) 346-2367
Fax: (312) 346-2930This location services residents of these states:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, N.Dakota, S.Dakota, Wisconsin, and MissouriTravisa Outsourcing is open Monday to Friday, except on holidays.
Dropoff hours: 9:00am to 12:30pm CST and 2:00pm to 4:00pm CST
Pickup hours: 4:30pm to 6:00pm CSTSan Francisco
965 Mission Street, Suite #110
San Francisco, CA 9410
3Tel. 415-644-0149
Fax: 415-644-0158This location services residents of the following states:
Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, CaliforniaTravisa Outsourcing is open Monday to Friday, except on holidays.
Dropoff hours: 9:00am to 12:30pm PST and 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST
Pickup hours: 4:30pm to 6:00pm PSTHouston
4100 Westheimer Road, Suite #113
Houston, TX 77027
Tel. (713) 840-0489
Fax: (713) 840-0472This location services residents of the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia
Travisa Outsourcing is open Monday to Friday, except on holidays.
Dropoff hours: 9:00am to 12:30pm CST and 2:00pm to 4:00pm CST
Pickup hours: 4:30pm to 6:00pm CST
Where is the closest Embassy of India to me?
http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/consulatesinus.asp
What kind of medications/vaccines do I need?
(this information was taken from the Center for Disease Control’s website, for additional information see http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.aspx)
See a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.
Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.
Please consult your doctor before prescribing to any medication and/or if you have specific health concerns.
General Recommended Shots/Vaccines and Prices–
• Typhoid (vaccine or oral)
$20 – $25
• Hepatitis A (1 shot)
$40 – $45
• Hepatitis B (3 shots)
$40 – $45
• Malaria Pills
Dosage: Begin 2 weeks prior to leaving, continue for 6 weeks after returning home.
Where can I get my medication/vaccines?
Please consult your physician or visit your local travel agency who can make these arrangements for you.
How much luggage should I bring?
Pack lightly and leave space in your bags for gifts for friends and family back home. We also recommend that you:
• Do not carry heavy or very large suitcases. It is easier to move around from one place to another.
• Bring a suitcase/bags with wheels that roll
• Bring a waist belt to safely carry your important travel items like passports, travelers’ cheques, money etc.
• Put your initials and/or a marker differentiating your bags from others.’ Some people use ribbons, fluorescent stickers, etc…
Coming Soon…A complete list of items to pack!!
Where and how should I order my plane tickets?
Recommended departure date:
December 25
Arrival City:
Bangalore, India. (You can fly straight there or fly into Bombay and then get ticket from Bombay to Bangalore)
Travel website recommendations: www.Kayak.com and www.Bestfares.com
BOOK NOW BEFORE THE PRICES JUMP!
Helpful Links and Resources
Embassy of India – Washington D.C.:
http://www.indianembassy.org
US Department of State – Rules/Laws
http://travel.state.gov/law/law_1734.html
Government of India
http://www.indianembassy.org/links/indialinks.htm
About Bangalore – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore
Art of Living International Website:
http://www.artofliving.org/?q=intl
International Association for Human Values
www.iahv.org
