India

VISA REGIME

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia travelling to India need a visa, which must be obtained at the Indian Embassy in Belgrade. Since 2016, citizens of the Republic of Serbia can apply for an electronic tourist visa, which is obtained online, i.e. the visa form and accompanying documents are to be submitted online. All visa information is available on the Embassy's website: http://www.eoibelgrade.gov.in/ (Consular Services section).
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia are not allowed to obtain a visa, i.e. tourist pass, at airports/border crossings. Validity period of a passport for the purpose of tourist travel must be at least by the period of the visa validity, which also applies to the submission of a request for regulation of residence.
Travellers planning to stay in India for more than 180 days must register within 14 days from the date of entry into India at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Trivandrum, or the Superintendent of Police in other areas. In case travellers fail to register, they may be sentenced to imprisonment, fined or prevented from leaving India until the permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs of India to leave the country is obtained.
It is not necessary to have health insurance or proof of vaccination to enter India, unless the citizens of the Republic of Serbia come to India from the countries of Africa and Latin America, which fall under the so-called endemic zone of yellow fever, when it is necessary to have the so-called "yellow card" or certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. A list of these countries is available on the website www.immigrationindia.nic.in, section Health Regulations.
It is FORBIDDEN to bring the following items into India: firearms, narcotics and psychoactive substances, pornographic material, counterfeits, pirated goods and goods which infringe intellectual property rights, as well as antiques.
Importing the following goods is RESTRICTED: ammunition, live birds and other animals (including pets), plants and plant seeds, endangered species of plants and animals (live and dead), any goods intended for commercial purposes, radio transmitters which are not approved for normal use, gold and silver (excluding jewellery), Indian and foreign currencies exceeding the approved amounts.
There is no limit to the amount of money brought into India. However, a Currency Declaration Form is required when bringing in USD 5,000 or more in cash or USD 10,000 or more in cash and/or securities.
Pets (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) are allowed for travellers who move/return to India after two years of continuous stay abroad, with a maximum of two animals per traveller and appropriate veterinary certificate of vaccines received, which has been translated into English.

SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.

USEFUL INFORMATION

HEALTH SITUATION — No vaccine is required, but vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhus and rabies is recommended. In all of India, the greatest danger are diseases transmitted by mosquitoes ― malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya, especially in the monsoon period (June−September). It is recommended to take preventive measures against mosquito bites ― use of creams and stickers, wearing clothes with long sleeves and trouser legs, closing windows with mosquito nets, using electrical devices against mosquitoes, etc.
A very serious problem in India, and especially in New Delhi and the wide area around the city, is air pollution, which, at the end of 2016, reached dramatic proportions. The air quality index (AQI) generally ranges between 200 and 400 (at the time of the highest pollution during November and December 2016, it reached 900), which official government agencies describe as a very bad condition, which can cause not only breathing discomfort in heart patients, but also serious respiratory diseases, especially in people with lung and heart diseases. The only protection outdoors is wearing protective masks, which can be purchased at pharmacies and stores at prices between 200 and 1,600 rupees (2−22 euros).
It is not recommended to consume tap water, but only bottled water. Consumption of food bought from street vendors is also not recommended due to the lack of sanitary control. Food should be thermally processed and eaten fresh only in places which meet the necessary hygienic requirements.
The highest quality health services in India, in an outpatient environment which corresponds to European conditions, are provided by private health institutions. Some of the private polyclinics with a high reputation are Max Healthcare in New Delhi, and Appollo Clinic which has facilities in all major cities of India.

SECURITY SITUATION — Danger of natural disasters in India occurs during the summer monsoon season with periodic rainfall from June/July to September/October. In case of major natural disasters caused by monsoons, which mostly affect rural areas, crisis services are formed, which provide the necessary assistance on the spot, i.e. evacuation.
Travellers should take precautions in planning trips to Jammu and Kashmir (for which foreign nationals need to obtain a special permit from the MFA of India), as well as to Indian states in the east of the country where the Maoist movement is active (especially Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar). Warnings about the increased danger of terrorist threats are occasionally issued based on the risk assessments of the competent security services, especially in city centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other large cities. In these situations, it is necessary to follow the instructions that are broadcast through the local media and to act accordingly.
Travellers should respect local customs and adhere to them.
North India is a seismic area. In case of an earthquake, it is necessary to follow the instructions of the local authorities and act accordingly.

TRANSPORT — The main international airports in India are Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, Chennai International Airport (Meenambakkam Airport) in Chennai, Bengaluru International Airport (Devanahalli Airport) in Bangalore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.
In India, road traffic takes place on the left side (steering wheel on the right side). Driving a vehicle in India requires an international driving permit.
In all cities in India the main means of public transport are rickshaws (auto and cycle rickshaws) and taxis. There are no taximeters in most of these vehicles and the transportation fare is agreed with the drivers. In the main city centres, there is also city bus transport which foreign tourists rarely use because of the poorly developed system of road markings, vehicles which are in poor condition, and no established timetable. New Delhi and Kolkata have a metro which foreign tourists do use. The metros are marked as a safe and practical means of transportation, especially given the long distances and huge traffic jams.

OTHER INFORMATION — The official currency in India is the Indian rupee (INR). There are exchange offices in a number of city locations, and they accept the euro, the USD, the British pound and the currencies of major Asian economies. Exchange rates are most unfavourable at international airports at the arrivals gate.
Payment with international payment cards works normally in hotels, restaurants and shops.
When planning a trip to India, one should keep in mind the extremely high temperatures, which from early March through October range between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius. In the so-called middle strip of the country, where the capital New Delhi is located, from April through June the temperature typically does not drop below 40 degrees Celsius. Travellers best find accommodation with air-conditioning and pack appropriate clothes for such high temperatures. Both women and men are advised to opt for a simple style of clothing adapted to the local cultural and climatic conditions. Women should avoid short clothing items as well as moving alone in the evening and especially late at night.

Contact information:
During your stay in the Republic of India, for consular assistance and protection you may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in New Delhi, via the following telephone number: 00 91 11 26 87 20 95, and e-mail: embassyofserbiadelhi@hotmail.com