Tips for Visiting India for a Conference
In recent years, India has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. This is why many businesses look forward to investing in India and hosting conferences across sectors like business, technology, and medicine. Many people visit these conferences from across the world. If you’re one of them, you need to get an e-conference visa to India.
Visit Indian Visa Application Process to learn more about how to fill out the Indian visa application form and other details! Apart from that, you should carefully read the list of tips we’ve provided below for a smooth experience.
Research About The Venue
You should never underestimate the importance of learning more about the venue and city you’re going to a conference for. That’s because you can get an insight into various details like the availability of first aid, air conditioning, and refreshments for visitors.
You will also get details about nearby facilities like hospitals to deal with medical emergencies. Lastly, you will also be able to learn about the various options for public transport to and from your hotel venue.
Arrange Your Documents
While this might seem obvious, most people often neglect the importance of keeping all their necessary travel documents in place. With that being said, you should first get a printout of your e-conference visa in India after we send it to you and keep it in a folder.
You should also gather the physical and digital copies of the following documents with you before your trip and store them in the same folder:
- Passport
- Clearance letters from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs
- Letters of invitation from the conference
- Financial proof documents
- Hotel booking documents
That’s because you might have to show these documents to the immigration officials as additional proof of your visit.
Consider Local Transportation
You should download local rideshare apps like Uber, Ola, Rapido, and Snap E Cabs. This will help you book cabs or bikes if you leave the event late at night.
Apart from that, you can get in touch with us to learn about the local Metro app, with the help of which you’ll be able to travel via the Metro. Most major cities in India have the Metro today, including Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
These metros operate till late at night, so you should not have any cause for worry. We recommend hiring a chauffeured car since you will not be used to the traffic patterns here.
Book the Right Accommodation
You should not forget to check for reputed business hotels with Wi-Fi connectivity, concierge services, airport transfer facilities, conference rooms, and late-night room service. These amenities will ensure that you can rest well before the event.
For instance, seamless Wi-Fi connectivity will ensure you can check all your important emails and reply to urgent messages. On the other hand, if your hotel has an airport transfer facility, they can pick you up and drop you off at the airport.
Lastly, if your hotel has late-night room service, you can order snacks or light refreshments after returning from the event late at night. Do keep in mind that you will have to use your e-conference visa India to book the hotel, so carry it with you at all times.
Understand Etiquette in India
Every country has its own etiquette. The same is true for India. So you should learn more about the prevailing system here for a smooth experience. That’s because you cannot and should not generalise the behaviour you’re supposed to display.
For starters, it is best to observe the locals who are with you. You should observe how they talk, body language, and greet each other. For example, if the people you’re with greet each other by saying namaste to each other and smiling, then you should do the same.
Secondly, take note of the titles being used. That’s because we are pretty particular about using formal titles like Mr., Ms., and Mrs. Apart from that, asking about people’s families is generally considered impolite unless the other person initiates the topic.
Furthermore, you can expect small talk, so remember to be patient during the discussions before progressing to the main topic. Tipping at restaurants is an accepted practice if you’re happy with the service.
Wear The Right Attire
We recommend wearing a formal suit, which you choose to layer as per the prevailing weather. For example, you should opt for lightweight suits made from cotton and polyester in summer to ensure you don’t sweat a lot.
On the other hand, you can layer up with a smart cardigan, sweater, or mandarin collared-thermal wear in winter as per your preferences. Ties are unnecessary unless you are participating in a banking or law-based conference.
Women should wear pantsuits to maintain a professional look. Remember to choose suits in colours of navy blue, cream, black, or grey for a powerful appearance.
Purchase Local SIM Cards
Since not all places will have Wi-Fi, like when you’re on the road, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card, as it will be cheaper than an international roaming plan. Some network carriers you can consider are Jio, Airtel, or Vi.
You can obtain these SIM cards from any local mobile phone shop after displaying your ID proofs, like your photo, passport, and e-conference visa India.
If you face any difficulties when communicating with the shop owner, consider asking for help from someone who can understand at least basic English and ask them to translate.
Take Adequate Health Precautions
We understand that you might be eager to sample some of the famous street food dishes in the city you’re in. However, you should ask someone before buying anything, as you might face health issues.
Additionally, we recommend carrying filtered or bottled water from your hotel and common medicines for fever, indigestion, cough, and cold.
Furthermore, you should remember the following emergency numbers: 100 for the police, 108 for ambulances, and 101 for the fire engine. Also, ask your hotel receptionist for the numbers of nearby hospitals.
Be Ready for Emergencies
While we’re not saying you will face any unforeseen circumstances, you should still be ready to face them.
For example, you should remember to exchange all your cash for Indian currency and download digital payment apps like Google Pay or PhonePe, since they are widely used for digital transactions. Lastly, always keep your phone charged in case of a power outage.
That’s all! Do remember to apply for your e-conference visa in India in time by filling up your Indian visa application form carefully. Have a good trip!