Foreign visitors may need a Visa to India.

For visa application and further visa information please click the link https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

The visas are issued electronically (e-Visa) or can be obtained from the Indian missions abroad through application. E-Visa is available in many countries of Europe, and US and Australia etc.

 

Note: Letter of Invitation

Personal letter of invitation will be sent by the BBF Secretariat upon request to facilitate obtaining of visa. Delegates are requested to share the following details on vispi.bhathena@brokersforumofindia.com for the needful.

 

1. Full Name (As per passport):

2. Designation/Job Title:

3. Organization Name:

4. City:

5. Country:

6. Passport number:

7. Passport issue date:

8. Passport expiry date:

9. Number of days of stay in India:

Currency of India (INR- Indian Rupee):

Indian rupee is the national currency of India. The notes are in denomination of Rs. 10, Rs. 20, Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs. 500, Rs. 2,000. The coins are in denominations of Rs. 1, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, and Rs. 10.

You can exchange foreign currency cash at currency exchange offices and banks.

Most credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American express are acceptable at Hotels and restaurants and systematic shops & marts.

We advise to carry cash in hand (local currency- Indian Rupee) in order to make purchases at the local markets and the main bazaars.

 

Credit Card/ ATM / Cash:

In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers' cheques, but you'll widen your options and save yourself from hassles if you stick to US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Credit Cards are widely accepted in all major shops and restaurants; however, it may not be accepted in small shops so it is

recommended to carry some cash as well.

ATM machines are available in the cities; it may not be available in small towns and villages. Always have enough cash with you while travelling.

 

Climate in October - November:

November to March is the perfect time to visit India. November in Mumbai is relatively cool.

 

Daily high temperatures decrease by 2°F, from 33.3 degree Celcius (92°F) to 32.2 degree Celsius (90°F), rarely falling below 30 degree Celsius (86°F) or exceeding 35.5 degree Celsius (96°F).

Daily low temperatures decrease by 4°F, from 23.8 degree Celcius (75°F) to 21.6 degree Celcius (71°F), rarely falling below 18.3 degree Celcius (65°F) or exceeding 26.7 degree Celcius (80°F).

For more weather details, please refer to the link below:

Source Courtesy: https://weatherspark.com/m/107286/11/Average-Weather-in-November-in-Mumbai-India

Smoking:

Smoking in public places is banned all over the country. The minimum age of buying tobacco products is 18 years or more.

There are designated smoking zones in hotels, restaurants, pubs, airport lounges, cafes’, etc.

For more details on law regarding Smoking in India please refer to the link below:

Source Courtesy: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/country/india/summary

 

Tipping:

On bills ranging from INR 300 to INR 1000, you can tip around 7% to 10% of the bill amount. For example, a tip of INR 100 on an INR 1000 bill is a very good tip. You can also tip about INR 70 and that would be fine. On bill amounts above INR 1000, a tip of 5% to 7% is sufficient.

 

Restaurants now often include a ‘service charge’, not to be confused with ‘service tax’ (which is a government-levied tax). No tip is expected if this type of charge is levied. It’s normally capped at 10%.

Moreover, tipping can be skipped if not satisfied with the service provided.

Source Courtesy: https://indiasomeday.com/en/tipping-in-india/

 

Tax:

GST is charged on most goods and services in India under five slabs i.e. 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% + service charges on few services. Goods like petroleum and precious stones have different taxation policy and are not considered under GST slabs.

For further details on Taxation System in India please visit the link below:

Source Courtesy: http://www.gstcouncil.gov.in

 

Electricity:

India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded/earthed 3 Pin connection (type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (type C).

The Two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins it can be inserted either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals.

The three-pin plug is rated at 6A/250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals.

Source Courtesy: https://www.indiaquickfacts.com/content/india-electricity-electrical-plugs-converters-electric-sockets-electric-adapters

 

Emergency calls:

Ambulance – 102

Police – 100

Fire Brigade – 101

Time Zone:

India has one time zone which covers the entire country. Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

Time difference between India and other Countries:

 

United states (NYC)	-9 hours 30 minutes
United Kingdom	-5 hours 30 minutes
Japan	+3 hours 30 minutes
China	+2 hours 30minutes
Middle East Asia	-1 hour 30 minutes
South East Asia	+1 hour 30 minutes
Australia	+4 hour 30 minutes
New Zealand	+7 hours 30 minutes

 

Telecommunication:

All over India, phone numbers consist of two sections; area code (3-digits) and the number itself (10-digit)

To call within the city dial 10-digit number

Inter-city calls [0 + area code + number]

International calls 0 + 0 + country code + area code + number

Mumbai (area code): 22

India (country code): +91

 

Language:

Though Hindi is the national language of India, English is very commonly spoken and understood in urban parts and cities in India. One can speak in English to remove the communication barrier.

Few Hindi words for ease in communication:

Greetings	Hindi - Translation	Hindi - Pronunciations
Hello	Namaste	Na-mas-tey
How are you?	Kaise hai aap	Kai-say hai aap
Good Night	Shubh Ratri	Shoo-bha-Raat-ree
Yes	Haa	Haa
No	Nahi	Na-hee
What?	Kya	Kyaa
Thank you	Shukriya	Shook-Ri-ya
Excuse me	Maaf keejiye	Maaf- Ki-ji-yeh
How much?	Kitna	Kith-naa
Okay	Theek hai	Theek-Hai
Very well	Bohot accha	Baw-haw-th
Who?	Kaun	Kawn
When	Kab	Kabh
How	Kaise	Kay-se
Hot/cold	Garam/Thanda	Ga-ram/Than-dah
Near/far	Pass/dur	Paas/dur
Water	Pani	Paa-ni
Food	Khana	Khaa-naa
Hotel	Hotel	Hotel
Taxi/Cab	Taxi	Taxi
I don’t understand	Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha	Muh-jhe- samajh- Na-hee-aa-raahaa-
I don’t know	Mujhe nahi pata	Muh-jhe Na-hee Pa-taa
Good/Bad	Accha/Bura	Acch-haa/Boo-Raa

 

Travel/Tourist Information and Guide:

The city provides various modes of transportation for Commuters which are as follows:

Online Cab Services in Mumbai:

Online cab services are one of the most common modes of transportation to travel across the city.

• Uber

• Ola

All the online cabs can be booked and reserved through their online mobile application

 

Safety & Security:

Follow the same rules of safety that you follow while travelling anywhere else. Use the hotel safe deposit boxes and keep travel

documents safe. Make sure to keep extra photocopies of the pages of your passport.

Insurance & Liability:

The Organizers are not responsible for any individual's travel, medical, or personal insurance. It is advised to secure your own insurance policies before departure from their countries.

 

While every attempt is made to ensure efficient, trouble-free hospitality, including hotel accommodation, sightseeing and tours, participants are advised that no liability accrues to the Organizers in the event of any necessary modifications, including change initineraries for tours due to delays or cancellations of flights/other exigencies beyond the Organizers' control.

 

Food & Drink:

Please note that drinking from tap is unsafe in India, drink only bottled water. Most hotels and restaurants provide filtered/RO water which is safe to drink, however we recommend you stick to bottled water only.

We recommend you to eat from hotels and restaurants that maintain good hygiene. Make sure to steer clear of uncooked or unpeeled fruits and vegetables that are served outside in the streets.

 

Restrictions on Export of Articles:

Illegal transport of wild animal indigenous to the country like goods made of animal skin is banned.

Peacock feathers and handicrafts made from them are not banned.

Antiques items of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than 100 years are not allowed to be exported

from India.

Aesthetic and non-artistic value not less than seventy-five years, historical itinerary and manuscripts and other documents art

treasures is not allowed to be exported out of India.

Source Courtesy: https://dgft.gov.in/