TRAVEL ALERT: INDIA - NEW VISA REGULATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 130811

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC IN
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: INDIA - NEW VISA REGULATIONS

STATE 00130811 001.2 OF 002



1. The Department of State wishes to alert U.S. citizens
with Indian tourist visas about new regulations that may
affect planned travel. Travelers are urged to review
travel plans in light of these new regulations. This
Travel Alert supplements the Travel Alerts for India
dated October 29 and December 9, and expires on January
21, 2010.


2. Foreign tourists departing India with visitor (T)
visas will now receive a stamp in their passports at the
port of departure that indicates that the bearer will not
be allowed to reenter India for two months, regardless of
their length of stay or validity of the visa. Tourists
who wish to return to India before the two-month period
has passed must visit an Indian Embassy, High Commission,
or Consulate abroad to present their case for reentry,
and must provide documentation in support of the request.
If approved, the traveler will receive a letter
authorizing reentry to present at an Indian port of
entry. Only one request for reentry may be made during a
two-month interval. Tourists who have been granted
permission to return to India may also be required to
register with the nearest Foreigners Registration Office
within 14 days of their return, regardless of the length
of their stay. The procedures and requirements for
registration can be complex. Travelers are advised to
follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding
registration procedures irrespective of the visa
category.


3. To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist
(T) visa holders, but the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in
India have also received reports pertaining to other visa
types and about inconsistent implementation of the new
rules, which have not been widely publicized and are
subject to change. Prior to traveling to or departing
India, Americans who may be affected by these changes are
urged to contact the nearest Indian Embassy, High
Commission or Consulate overseas
(http://goidirectory.nic.in/missions.htm) or Foreign
Registration Office in India
(http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/) to determine proper
procedures to follow.


4. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate through the State Department's travel
registration web site at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that
they can obtain updated information on travel and
security. Americans without Internet access may register
directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the
Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of
emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A
Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.


5. For the latest security information, Americans
traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov
where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and
Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747
toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers
outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line
at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays). Americans are also
encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for
India, available on the Embassy's website at

STATE 00130811 002.2 OF 002


http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov, and also at
http://travel.state.gov.


6. U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may contact
the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the
Consulates General for further information:

-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti
Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000;
fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page
address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is
located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road,
400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350.
The Internet home page address is
http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at
220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-
2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page
address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at
5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-
2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page
address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah
Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad
500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. The Internet
home page address is http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov.

Minimize Considered.
CLINTON