India one of the most vibrant nation of the world has rich historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. For visiting this masterpiece, one need to get himself/herself acquainted with the place to enjoy the trip more. Useful information for the tourist is under noted:

Visa

All foreign visitors apart from the citizens of Nepal and Bhutan who wish to explore India must possess a valid Indian Visa.

Types of Visas

Tourist Visa: These types of visa are best suited for individuals who are interested in visiting India as a tourist. Tourist visa is valid for the period of 6 months.

Student Visa- The students who wish to study in India require student visa for taking admission in any course. Generally a student visa is granted to the students who furnish their proof of admission in any accredited Universities/Institutions of India.

Employment Visa - The professionals who wish to work in India require Employment visa. Employment Visa can be obtained on furnishing the proof of employment with any registered company of India.

Transit Visa - Transit Visa is valid for maximum period of 72 hours in India within 5 days from the date of issue and it must be obtained before the departure. It should be noted that transit Visa cannot be obtained from immigration counters at the airports of India. 

Business Visa- Individuals who wish to establish his/her business in India require business visa.  Business Visa is generally granted for 3 or 6 months. While multiple-entry Business Visa is valid up to 2 years. This type of visa is generally granted to technicians/experts arriving to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint venture projects having government approval. 

Other Important information related to Indian Visas:

• The visitor must possess a passport with a validity of more than six months from the date of departure.
• Visa on Arrival is not permissible in India and the traveler must ensure that he/she obtain a valid visa before departure.
• Special permits is required for visiting certain parts of the country.  Assam, North-Eastern Frontier States of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Union Territories of Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands require special permissions from the authorities. 
• It should be noted that citizens from all countries except the countries of Nepal and Bhutan require Indian visa to visit the county. However citizens of Maldives do not require any visa unless and until they stay for a period of 90 days. But beyond 90 days, they also require a valid visa.  

Best Time to Visit

One can visit India throughout the year but the best suggested time for visiting the country is between the months of October to March for plains and months of April to September for hilly or mountainous region. 

Food and Health

In order to stay healthy you need to follow under noted tips: 

• Always drink bottled mineral water and ensure that the seal of the bottle is not broken.
• As compared to other countries food, Indian food is spicier and it can lead to gastronomical problems and hence bad health. So, always opt for less spicy food so that you can enjoy your journey with full vitality and health. Try to avoid the food from street vendors, as food purchased from them is not hygienic at all.
• Carry any insect repellent cream and keep a small medical kit equipped with important medicines for small problems like headache, stomachache, etc.
• Sunscreen is an absolute must in hot summer season of India.

Smart Shopping

Here are some of the shopping tips for you:

• To avail best shopping experience you must exercise bargaining in local bazaars.
• Remember there is restriction on exporting certain things in India. Antiques which include sculpture, painting or works of art and crafts, instructive of science, art, crafts, religion of long-gone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years of time may not be exported out of India. Manuscripts and documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy-five years; art treasures-not necessarily antiques but of artistic and aesthetic value, also cannot be exported out of India. For clarification on the antiquity of an artifact, a tourist can always get in touch with the Acts and Rules governing Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
• Try to avoid shopping from the roadside peddlers as these sell duplicate articles at high costs.

• There is no compulsion of tipping; it solely depends on discretion of the visitor. However the standard tip is 10% in bars and restaurants.
• Public toilet amenities are far and few in India. Grab every opportunity to use toilets in places such as hotels and restaurants.
• In India, most of the museums remain closed on Monday while archaeological monuments remain closed on Friday.