equivalent thereof as in the form of travelers' checks,bank notes or currency notes are required to obtain a Currency Declaration Form before leaving customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airline during the course of the flight.

There are two channels for Custom clearance

. Green Channel: For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage.

. Red Channel: For passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-export form.

Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from a Customs Airport/ seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT).

Immigration Passport

Citizens of all countries require a valid national passport or valid travel documents and valid visa.

Arrival Formalities

If the visa for a stay in India is more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigner's Registration Office within 15 days of arrival. All persons, including Indian nationals are required to fill in a Disembarkation Card at the time of arrival. Four photographs are also required for registration. Foreigners registered at the Foreigner's Registration Office are required to report any change of address.

Exit Formalities

Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India should surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where he/ she is registered or of the place from where he/ she intends to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the Port / Check post of exit from India. All persons leaving India by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure.

Visas

Requirement of Visa: Foreigners desirous of visiting India can do so after obtaining a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport. Various categories of Visa exist, which are TRANSIT VISA, LANDING PERMIT FACILITY, TOURIST GROUPS, BUSINESS VISA, STUDENT VISA, CONFERENCE VISA, EMPLOYMENT VISA etc. You are requested to get in touch with the nearest Indian consulate.

For visa extension, contact

Office of the Commissioner of Police,
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Ph: 0471-2320555.

Health Regulations

No vaccinations are necessary for travel to India. However foreign tourists should be in possession of a Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate conforming to International Health Regulations, if they are originating or traveling through Yellow Fever endemic countries.

Note: It is always a wise precaution, however, to consult your physician, as to your needs, when traveling to foreign destinations.

List of Indian Consulates

· EMBASSY OF INDIA, WASHINGTON DC
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, NEW YORK
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, CHICAGO
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, HOUSTON
· CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, SAN FRANCISCO

Banks

Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays
(10.00 to 12.00 hrs).

Best time to visit

High season: October to April - Monsoon.
Rejuvenation programmes: May to September
Travel wear: Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc

Credit cards

Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.
Currency Indian Rupee (INR)

Drugs

Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.

Food

All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.

Emergency numbers

Police control room: 100 Fire station: 101 Ambulance: 101

Time

(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)
USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30, Spain: -4.30, UAE: - 1.30

Water

Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.

Temple codes

Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum is banned in all the temples.

Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the State vary from each other.

Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned from some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.

Ayurvedic treatment

If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.

Wildlife sanctuaries

To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary.

For further enquiries, contact:
The Chief Conservator of Forests,
Thiruvananthapuram 695014
Ph: + 91-471-2322217