Visa information:

You need a TOURIST visa (3 months or more if you are staying longer).  DO NOT ask for a student visa.  Student visas are for people enrolling in Indian universities or course programs.  

You can obtain a visa for India from any Indian Consulate (Washington, DC; Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Houston; Vancouver, etc.)

The Embassy of India in Washington has downloadable visa forms:
http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/index.htm

For those who live in North Carolina, the Indian Consulate may be in the Triangle area to take Visa applications sometime in April or early May.   (This service is sponsored by the Indian American Forum for Political Education).

For more information, visit http://www.opti.net/forum/nc
Make sure to follow the link to the "New Guidelines." 

For applicants who are NOT of Indian origin, they will accept your passport and visa application, take it back to Washington, and then mail you your passport with visa back in 10 working days.  Read carefully what you will need to bring, and all fee information.

NOTA BENE for 2004: there is probably not enough time between the consulate visit (May 15-16) and our departure date (May 24) for you to take advantage of this service. You are advised to get your visa directly from the Consulate nearest you.



Other Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How much spending money should I bring?

A: About $200 or $300 should be more than enough.  Certainly no more than $500, even if you plan to do a lot of souvenir shopping.  Bring a combination of cash and travelers checks.  Remember, all meals and group trip expenses are paid for, and in fact you are not allowed to go off and eat on your own until the end of the program.

Q: Should I change money before I go?

A: No!  You will get a bad rate here.  We can change money in the airport when we arrive in Delhi.  You won’t need any money for the first few days anyway, so we can make a group bank trip when we get settled at JNU.

Q: How soon will we be able to change money?

A: We will go to the Ashoka Hotel in Delhi the day after we arrive to change money.  


Q: Will I have access to ATM machines in India?

A: Only in Delhi.  There are a few ATMs near JNU that students have used in the past.  They give you Rupees at the regular bank rate.  There are no ATMs yet in the Himalayas, Jaipur or Agra.  

Q: How will my parents contact me?

A: We will be staying in the JNU’s Aravali Guest House from when we arrive.  To reach the us, your parents can call one of the following numbers: 011-91-11-2670-4730 or 011-91-11-2670-4731. The line may be out of order, or the receptionist may disconnect you by accident, or you may be put on hold indefinitely but be persistent.
The Guest House address is:

Aravali International Guest House
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, 110067  INDIA
Q: Will I have access to email?

A: There are now at least 10 cyber-cafes within walking distance of the Aravali Guest House.  You pay a small fee, usually less than a dollar, for each half hour of Internet access.  This is probably the best way to keep in touch with your friends and family back home.  

Q: Should I buy a phone card here before I go?  Or a cell phone with global roaming?

A: Students have tried phone cards and found that cards don't work in India, or don't work outside of Delhi.  Cell phones with global roaming also have not worked consistently and are very expensive.  It's usually easier and cheaper just to call from an STD (commercial phone booth) and pay the attendant the normal rate.