Travel Tips Visa Requirements Citizens of all countries (including Commonwealth) require a valid passport and an appropriate (entry, transit or tourist) visa for travel to India and any of its states. The visa must be obtained abroad from an Indian Mission. General requirements: Original passport valid for at least six months. Correct visa fee Two passport-size photographs (five photographs in case of Pakistani nationals) Supporting documents, where necessary Duly completed application form (Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals need to apply on special application forms) For information on Passport, visa rules, please visit: http://www.passport.nic.in/ India http://maha.nic.in/fore.htm#vp     Foreign Currency Foreign Exchange comprising foreign currency notes/coins, travelers checks, drafts drawn on banks in India or Bank letters of credit can be brought into India without limit. However, if the total amount of foreign currency notes/coins of travelers checks brought into India at one time exceeds US$10,000/- or its equivalent, it is required to be declared by the holder to the Indian customs authorities on arrival on a currency declaration form (CDF). A copy of the CDF duly certified by the customs will be handed over to the declarant. This declaration helps easy conversion of foreign currency into Indian currency by the tourists and also reconversion of their unspent balances of Indian rupees into Foreign Currency at the time of departure from. Banks CDFs are available with the Airport/Seaport customs. Travelers checks and the Foreign Currency notes can be easily converted into Indian currency with any branch of a bank authorised to deal in Foreign Exchange or licensed money changers. Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays (10.00 to 12.00 hrs). Indian Currency Bringing into India Indian currency of any denomination is prohibited. Foreign Tourists returning to India from Nepal area, are permitted to bring with them unspent Indian currency note. Coins upto the value of Rs. 75/- per person. There is no restriction bringing into India a checks/drafts denominated in India rupees drawn on banks situated in India by overseas banks. Personal Jewellery Foreign Tourists are permitted to bring with them their personal jewellery either on their person or as part of their personal effects in accordance with customs baggage rules. In order to facilitate customs clearance of personal jewellery at the time of the tourists departure from India , details thereof are endorsed on the tourists passport at the time of entry. ExchangeRates The rates for purchase and sale of Pound Sterling and US Dollar currency notes and foreign currency travellers cheques, where applicable , are quoted by authorised dealers/money changers within the floor and ceiling rates worked out daily in accordance with guidelines prescribed by Reserve Bank of India . For other currencies, banks quited rates based on market conditions. Banks drafts and travelers check fetch better rates as compared to currency notes and coins. Currencies like Pound-Sterling, US Dollar and Deutsche Mark, Swiss Francs and Japanese Yen are widely accepted. Best Time To Visit High season: October to April - Monsoon. Rejuvenation programmes: May to September Travel Wear Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc CreditCards 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 dishes namely Palappam with Chicken/Vegetable stew, Kappa(Tapioca) with fish curry ,Karimmeeen (Pearl Spot)  pollichathu, Dosas etc.Deserts include a wide  variety of  payasams .Toddy ( madhura kallu) is Keralas  own natural  alcoholic drink. Emergency numbers Police control room: 100 Fire station: 101 Ambulance: 101 Time Difference (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 Even though tap water is purified, it is better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from houses/restaurants. 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. Nudity on Beaches Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach. Footwear in Houses Visitors to most Kerala houses leave their footwear outside before entering the house. Ayurvedic Treatment If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre. Demonstration of Affection in Public Behaviour demonstrating affection in public like hugging or kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala. 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 Shopping pleasures Clothings such as Kasavu munndu, saree, salwar, churidhars ,shawls, khadi, kaili (coloured mundu for night wear),   jubha/kurtha    will be liked by all the foreigners. Another attraction will be Keralas  handicraft products. USA Visitors Visa / B1 Visa Interview Questions Please check the below document for sample B1 visa interview questions , answers, documents needed. Alexys_B1_VISA_Questions_Answers.doc