Entry into India: All foreigners entering India must have a valid passport.

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Language The official language of the IFIP WITFOR 2012 is English

Currency

·         The official Indian currency is INR Rupees.

·        Credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa Card are widely accepted at hotels.

·         All convertible foreign currencies are exchangeable at major banks, airport and hotels. 

Business hours: 10:00 am – 05:30 pm

Shopping: There are many department stores, souvenir shops near hotels.

Open time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (excluding Sunday and public holiday)

Tax: Chargeable as extra

Communications: By phone and mobiles

Electricity: AC 220V/50 HZ.

Time zone: India is: GMT + 5½ Hrs

Insurance: Participants are encouraged to obtain travel insurance (medical, personal accident and luggage) in their home country prior to departure.

Arrival & Departure

Direct International Flights to Delhi

Delhi is well connected to all major international airports Asia, Europe and North America. All leading airlines operate direct and connecting flights from Delhi.

Reaching New DelhiVia Other Major Points of Entry

The airports at the major metro cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata are well-connected with international destinations, and offer convenient onward connections to New Delhi.

For those who are planning to take pre or post congress tours to other parts of India, it may make more sense to use Delhi or Mumbai as gateway cities. Please contact the Official WITFOR 2012 PCO - Kuoni Destination Management to help you with planning your travel at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Both terminals (domestic & international) of the New Delhi airport are disabled friendly and are well connected to the city via Buses and Taxis.

You can also book your airport transfer in advance with Conference Managers to avoid any inconvenience on your arrival.

Procedure for Obtaining Visa

Visas can be applied for in person or by post at the High Commission of India based in the country from where the candidate intends to depart for India. Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes that are aforementioned.

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1. Travel Visa application requirements

·         a) Valid passport

·         b) Completed application form. (Nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh must complete special application forms)

·         c) Two passport-size photographs. (Nationals of Pakistan will require five)

·         d) Visa fee

·         e) Stamped self-addressed delivery envelope for postal applications.

2. Types of applicable Visa

a) Tourist Visa

Validity: 6 months. The applicant is required to submit documents in proof of his financial standing. Tourists traveling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognized travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa.

b) Business Visa

Validity: One or more years with multiple-entry. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited incorporating there in a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany the application.

c) Conference Visa

Conference Visas are issued for attending conferences / seminars / meetings in India. The letter of invitation is to be submitted along with the visa application. Delegates coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences.

Electricity

230-240V, 50 HZ. Sockets accept round pins. Should you wish to use appliances of 110 volts, some hotels may provide adaptors on request. It is advisable to carry universal adaptors.

Sockets

Universal Travel Adaptors

Travel Insurance

Participants are reminded that it is advisable to obtain travel insurance. Such insurance should cover payment for your medical care in the case of hospitalization as well as the cost of repatriation to your home country if that should become necessary.

The Organizers do not take responsibility for any individual, medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants are advised to secure their own insurance policies as necessary.

Language

A host of languages are spoken in India. English is widely spoken or understood except in rural areas while Hindi remains the main language that is widely spoken and understood in northern India.

Banking & Currency

The currency in India is the INR ( ) (Indian National Rupee), which comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Please use authorized money changers and banks to change currency. They will issue a certificate of exchange which is required at the time of re-conversion of any unused currency. Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999, it is an offence to exchange foreign currency other than through authorized money changers or banks. The currency may be exchanged at the airport on arrival. The currency exchange facility will also be made available at the conference venue.

Most bank ATMs honor Visa, Visa Electron, Master & Maestro cards & you may use these ATMs also to withdraw money. One such ATM is available at the venue.

Most hotels, shops & other establishments accept credit cards. Master & VISA cards are accepted at almost all such establishments whereas some of them accept Diners & American Express cards as well.

Climate

During April the temperature in New Delhi ranges between 26 - 35 ºC, with possibility of occasional rain.

Time Zone

The official time zone of India is GMT + 5½ Hrs

Health

Please consult with your physician regarding health precautions prior to visiting India. If you are coming from or have visited Africa, South America or an area infected with Yellow Fever within five days prior to your arrival in India, proof of inoculation against Yellow Fever is required.

Telephone

The Country Code for INDIA is +91.

The City Code for NEW DELHI is 011.

Landline numbers in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad&New Delhi have eight digits whereas the numbers in smaller cities could have only 4-7 digits. All mobile numbers are 10 digits & begin with 7, 8 & 9.

Area Codes in India are referred to as STD codes. STD codes for some major cities are:

·         Delhi: 11

·         Mumbai: 22

·         Kolkata: 33

·         Chennai: 44

·         Bangalore: 80

·         Hyderabad: 40

Dialing India:

Landline: International access code (00 or +) followed by 91, then STD CODE followed by Landline no. Eg. +91 11 XXXXXXXX

Mobile: International access code (00 or +) followed by 91 and the 10-digit Mobile no. 
Eg. +91 XXXXXXXXXX.

Dialing within India:

From Indian landline to Indian landline

·         Local call: Landline no. (Ex. 45600000)

·         Long distance call - 0 then STD Code followed by Landline no. (Ex. 044 45600000)

From Indian landline to Indian Mobile

·         Local call -10 digits Mobile no. (Ex. 9900990099)

·         Long distance call - 0 followed by 10 digits Mobile no. (Ex. 0 9900990099)

From Indian Mobile to Indian landline

·         Local or Long distance calls - 0 followed by STD Code, followed by Landline no.

·         (Ex. 011 45600000)

From Indian Mobile to Indian Mobile

·         Local Call - 10 digits Mobile no. (Ex. 9900990099)

·         Long distance call - 0 followed by 10 digits Mobile no. (Ex. 0 9900990099)

Dialing out of India to an International number

The international access code when dialing out of India is 00 (or + when dialing from a mobile phone).

In India both GSM & CDMA (WLL) mobile systems are present. Please contact your mobile service providers to check their roaming partners & tariffs in India. Indian SIM cards may be made sold on request.

Food

Indian cuisine differs from region to region. The variety of food you get in India is unimaginable. For people in the north wheat is the staple, while it is rice in south India. Generally Indian food is spicy and hot. The waiters can be told to make it less spicy. Many restaurants serve Continental, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, French. Mexican, Italian, Lebanese, Mediterranean, and other cuisines. American fast food is very popular and outlets are present in most cities and towns.

Tipping

Tipping is optional but a common practice in India. The usual practice is leaving a 5-10% tip for the services provided.

Tap water is not purified for drinking. Unless you have access to a water filter, or are sure water has been boiled, it is safer to stick to bottled water. Avoid ice in your drinks outside your hotel.

Smoking Policy

All conference rooms and public areas in the venue are strict no-smoking zones. Smoking in public areas (eg. hotels, airports, restaurants) & transportation (eg. airlines, railways, cars & coaches) is a punishable offence in India.

Key Contacts for Assistance

KDM - Kuoni Destination Management has been appointed as the official PCO (Professional Conference Organisers for WITFOR 2012 Conference.

For pre or post congress tours, hotel bookings, or any other travel related assistance,
please write to

E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: +91 124 4563129

Fax: + 91 124 4563100 (Kind Attention: WITFOR 2012 Conference)