Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

Before/during foreign travel, we suggest that you:

• Familiarise yourself with the countries you are visiting.
• Check the latest travel advisories of MEA and follow them.
• Take personal responsibility for your travel choices, your safety, finances and behaviour overseas, including obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.
• Make sure you have the right visas for the countries you are visiting or transiting and check any other entry or exit requirements.
• Organise your finances to cover your planned travel.
• Obey the laws of the country you're visiting (even if these appear harsh or unfair by Indian standards). Don't expect to be treated differently from the locals.
• Take appropriate travel and comprehensive medical insurance that covers you for any unexpected costs; make sure you have sought medical advice for health concerns, have up to date vaccinations and, if you're carrying pharmaceutical products or medicines from India, make sure they are allowed in the country you are visiting.
• Protect your passport and report it promptly if it is lost, stolen or damaged.
• Make sure your passport is valid (with at least six months validity from your planned date of return to India) and will not expire when you are overseas.
• Carry extra passport photos in case your passport is lost or stolen and you need to replace it while you're away.
• Make copies of your passport (including visa pages), insurance policy, traveller’s cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place away from the originals and also leave a copy with someone at home.
• Keep in contact with friends and family back home and leave a copy of your insurance policy details and your overseas itinerary with them.
• In case your stay in a foreign country is for a reasonable length of time, register with the local Indian Embassy/Consulate before leaving India or soon after arrival, to get better access to consular assistance and updates. (Students can register on the Students’ Module of MADAD – under construction)
• Treat consular staff with respect and be honest in providing the Embassy/Consulate with all relevant information when seeking our assistance.
• If you get arrested or detained for some reason, insist on Consular access (under the Vienna Convention) to a representative from the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.