Skip to main content

Doing away with hassles while traveling abroad

Many people go through a lot of trouble while traveling abroad. It could range from passport problems to not having proper immigration clearance. If you take proper steps, you can do away with all these disappointments. Some of the things you have to be aware of while traveling abroad are as follows :
  1. Most embassies and consulates will not issue visa if the passport expires within the next six months.
  2. There should be enough blank pages to stamp the visas on. If there are no more pages left in the passport, apply for a new booklet. It takes between 15 to 20 working days to issue the booklet.
  3. Make sure that you do not require immigration clearance each time you travel abroad. The best way is to get an 'Immigration clearance not required' endorsement on your passport. All you need to do is submit your graduation mark sheet or copies of your income tax returns for the last three years. Those over 65 years of age do not require immigration clearance.
  4. Take 12 passport size photographs of yourself as most visa applications must be accompanied by photographs taken not more than six months ago. Do not submit copies in your passport as that is a sure giveaway that they have not been taken recently.
  5. Pre-plan your itinerary before leaving the country as it is near impossible to get visas abroad. Plan in advance and determine which type of visa you require - be it transit, single double or multiple entry.
  6. If you are flying connecting sectors, like Mumbai-Milan-Berlin, for instance, carry a handbag with essentials - toothpaste, a change of clothes - as the checked in baggage reaches the final destination.
  7. Important: Reconfirm your return ticket at the port of destination 72 hours prior to flying or run the risk of being told at the airport that you have been knocked off the flight.
  8. If possible, request a through check on all connecting sectors of your flight (get boarding passes for all the sectors in advance).
  9. Make sure that your baggage tag shows the connecting sectors, like Florence-Milan-Mumbai, for example, and that the final destination is clearly marked - in our example Mumbai.
  10. Once you land, always check what public transport is available between the airport and the city center. Most airports abroad have excellent connections to city centers with luggage facilities at 1/5th of the cost of hiring a taxi. Many bigger hotels also provide free transfers.
  11. If you have booked a hotel from India, try to get as many landmarks as possible. This will save you time and effort trying to locate the hotel.
  12. Lastly, it also helps to find out the current Indian customs limits / rules on dutiable items as government rules keep changing. This will save you a lot of heartburn.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five remedies to cure Homesickness

I came across this article in msnbc.msn.com written by John Frenaye which according to him are the five steps needed to cure homesickness. In a nutshell, these are the things he recommend for tackling effectively the issue of homesickness when away from home. Bring a piece of home with you . Nothing eases homesickness than a few mementos of your home and loved ones. Bring small photographs in a folding frame for your nightstand— your kids, wife, girlfriend, or loyal pooch. Do you have any young kids? Bring a recent piece of “art.” Does your wife or girlfriend wear a perfume that you love — bring along a sachet that will remind you of her. Stay in touch . Keeping in touch keeps home close to you and you close to home. There are ways to work around a time difference, but it is important to be sure to keep in touch with your home base — not your office, your home base. Be sure you know that Jimmy won his soccer game, and that your wife had the day from hell, and that Susie has t...
27 comments
Read more

Green Gram - The Popular Healthy Sprout

During my younger days, my mother used to feed me dishes which had green gram as a major ingredient. She used to say that eating these food kept one healthy and resistant to common ailments. I would have appreciated what she told, much better, if I was aware of the health giving qualities of this wonderful pulse which formed an essential ingredient in all her dishes. Green gram arose in North-eastern India and there is a long history of its use throughout Asia. Its popularity stems not just from its medicinal and nutritional properties, but also from its adaptability to drought conditions and inferior soils. The nitrogen fixing bacteria in the plant's root help replenish the nitrogen content of the soil, which makes it a valuable inter-crop in rice and sugar cane cultivation. Nutritional value of Green Gram (Per 100 grams) Energy : 30 calories Protein : 3 grams Carbohydrate : 6 grams Dietary Fiber : 2 grams Health benefits Unlike other pulses, green gra...
19 comments
Read more

Vegetarianism : Pros and Cons

M any people think that going Vegetarian means missing out not only on the taste of their favourate butter-chicken and meat kebabs, but also on some essential nutrients. And until recently, deficiency was the theme of most nutrition research into vegetarianism. But now the pendulum is swinging in the other direction. Scientists have researched and found health benefits in meat free diets. Studies have linked a vegetarian diet to increased life expectancy and a lower risk for heart disease and diabetes. And high intake of beans like rajma, soy and Channa - which often replace meat as a source of protein in a vegetarian diet - may strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. An increasing number of studies are finding health benefits from a low or no-meat diet. Last year, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , the top journal in the field, published a special supplement on vegetarian diets. Here are some of the Benefits of Vegetarianism as highlighted by the journal: Longer Life ...
10 comments
Read more