Make sure your passport is valid
To enter India, your passport must remain valid for at least six months after your arrival date. It must also be machine-readable or you will be denied entry.
Apply for the correct visa
British citizens need a visa to visit India. It’s important they apply for the right type to suit their purposes for travelling, and the length of their stay. Travellers may be refused entry, or deported, if they are carrying the wrong visa. They may also be refused entry in the future.
Check the FCDO’s advice
The FCDO not only provides up-to-date information on travel risks in certain countries, but regions of countries too. It warns of risks ranging from terrorism threats to natural disasters.
You can invalidate your policy travelling to a destination if the FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel there. This means you will not be covered throughout your trip. It’s therefore best to check the FCDO’s advice before taking out travel insurance and again before departing on your holiday. You can also check whether your insurer is one of a few that will still cover you, if you decide to travel against the FCDO’s advice.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations you may need before travelling are listed on the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre website. It is best to give yourself at least eight weeks before your planned departure to get your vaccinations.
Customs rules
There are certain limitations on what you can take into India. This includes Indian rupees – the currency of India.
A bank card, or cash and travellers’ cheques in pound sterling or another foreign currency are allowed. Once in India, you can exchange your money into rupees.
You should declare if you’re travelling with more than 5,000 US dollars in cash, or more than 10,000 US dollars in cash and travellers’ cheques in total.
Driving in India
You will need a UK driving licence and an international driving permit, which you can apply for at the Post Office, to drive in India. However, each state places its own time restriction on how long you can use a UK driving licence.
Last but not least, familiarise yourself with local rules and customs wherever you go.
The number for emergency services in India is 112.
Do I need travel insurance for India?
Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it can help to cover unexpected costs that can arise while away. Emergency medical treatment alone can easily cost into the thousands of pounds.
