 |
In the Footsteps of the Masters
Pilgrimage to India
February 17 – March 15, 2008
Puri – Kolkata – Gurgaon – Delhi
Babaji’s Cave – Rishikesh
|
 |
Passport
and Visa Information, Travel Insurance
You will need
a valid Passport which will remain current through the date of your
return to the US. If you need a new passport, or need to renew one,
do so immediately by going to:
http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
You will find
instructions there.
You will also
need to apply for an India Tourist Visa. Go to the web-site:
http://www.thebestofindia.com/visa.asp
Click on the
'Visa' buttion, then click on "Missions Page' to find the consulate
nearest you. Each consulate website is different. You'll need to
find the printable Visa application, and instructions on how to
apply for your visa. A six-month Tourist Visa will cost American
citizens $60.
The application asks for your occupation. DO NOT write "minister."
They will deny your visa because they don't want Christian missionaries
coming. You won't be able to qualify it to their liking, so just
put "teacher." List your occupation as something fairly
uninteresting, but true. Also, don't list an occupation that sounds
like you don't work. "Artist" will also be denied, and
so would "musician." They need to feel that you are going
to go home after your visit.
Another issue
is if it asks why you are coming to India, just write "Tourism."
Don't write "spiritual pilgrimage." These have been denied
as well.
The "type"
of visa you are requesting is a "Tourist" visa. Period
of visa is "6 months," unless you want to pay for a longer
one. Longer ones don't let you stay legally, for longer than 6 months,
you have to leave for a period of time and then re-enter.
It asks your
port of arrival in India. That would be Delhi, unless you are disembarking
the airplane in another city and meeting the rest of us in Delhi.
- Completed
visa application form found on the above site. Check it carefully
to make sure it contains ALL required information, and make sure
you sign it (either on back or page 2)
- 2 passport
photos of yourself, either b&w or color.
- A valid passport
(the visa is affixed to the inside)
- Your payment
for the visa-$60 (6-month Tourist visa is the least expensive
at $60)-in a cashiers check or money order ONLY. You will also
be including payment for return mailing of your passport back
to you. Just follow their instructions. If you have questions
about the visa process, please call the Consulate closest to you.
Travel insurance
is a very good idea for people with older parents, or for those
who feel there might be something that could prevent you from leaving
the country within a month or so of your planned departure. Coverable
reasons are usually health crises for yourself, spouse, child or
parent, death in family, work crises, things of this nature.
Your travel
agent can adivse you on the best type of insurance for your needs. |
