Travelling to exotic India requires a number of documents. If you want to make the entire India immigration process go smoothly, the first thing you need is a valid national passport. If you do not have one, you should obtain an internationally recognised or authorised travel document, with a recent picture, in order to enable India immigration authorities to ascertain your true identity and nationality.
Before arriving in India, you must ensure that you are an Indian visa holder. The duration of stay depends on the visa issuing authority or if a specific endorsement has been arranged previously. There are exceptions, however, for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, as they are not required to obtain a visa. For Maldives nationals, a visa is also not needed if the purpose of entry is tourism or the duration of stay up to a maximum of 90 days.
Foreigners without valid documents, those who enter India from unauthorised ports or those suffering from harmful diseases that may threaten public health may be denied entrance by India immigration authorities.
An immigration check will also be carried out on the arrival of a foreigner in a designated port. A disembarkation card should be filled and stamped accordingly, before you will be allowed to cross the immigration line.
To avoid being held by Indian immigration authorities, a foreigner has to abide by the conditions as stated on the visa. If the visa allows a foreigner to stay in the country for more than 180 days, registration is necessary at the place where he or she is staying, within the specified period.
Anyone on medical missions or who has come for employment or education purposes should register within 14 days of their first arrival in India. Registration certificates will be issued for guidance and future reporting.