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When traveling to India, be aware that the online portal for the 'Suvidha' (arrival card) may be inaccessible. While troubleshooting steps like changing browsers or clearing cookies can help, travelers should know that physical arrival cards are often distributed on the flight and may suffice. Ensure you have a pen for filling out the paper form if needed.

When filling out the Indian e-Visa application and encountering issues with the 'employer name' field due to numbers, spell out the numbers as words (e.g., '2' becomes 'two'). Ensure to only use alphabets and spaces, avoiding punctuation.

Technical issues with the Indian e-visa website (non-clickable buttons, form errors) are common. Recommended troubleshooting: switch browsers, clear cache, or persist with multiple attempts until the request is processed.

When filling out an arrival card in India without a pre-booked hotel, it is acceptable to provide any random address in the accommodation field. The primary requirement is to have some information entered, not necessarily a verified booking.

When entering India, airport officials may not strictly request proof of accommodation. One traveler reported not being asked for it, despite having listed a different hotel in their visa application or entry forms. However, it's generally advisable to have some form of accommodation details prepared.

Travelers entering India from nearby countries (like Sri Lanka) are often asked for proof of onward travel by airlines. If an onward ticket has not been purchased, travelers use temporary flight reservation services to fulfill check-in requirements.

Indian immigration rules formally require proof of onward or return travel. While it is not checked in every single instance, immigration officers have the discretionary power to deny entry to foreign nationals. It is recommended to have a return flight or onward travel booking to avoid issues at the border.

If you used an Airtel SIM card for a couple of weeks in India and plan to return in October, you will be issued a new SIM card with a new number at the airport upon your arrival.

If an Indian SIM card is deactivated, the recommended solution is to purchase a new one from an operator's office, preferably a larger one where staff may be more helpful. To prevent deactivation, ensure that tariff plans are paid for accurately and on time. Be aware that SIM cards might deactivate around the 85th day, not always the full 90 days as expected with some tourist visas, so it's advisable to be prepared for this possibility.

The process of obtaining an apostille for documents from Indian institutions, such as school certificates, is reported to be not overly complex if one finds a suitable facilitator. The necessity or purpose of an apostille for a school certificate is unclear to some users.

To send documents from St. Petersburg to Delhi, consider courier services. While SDEK might offer international shipping, not all branches handle it; inquire about specific international shipping departments. DHL is an option but is currently very expensive (around 30,000 RUB). It's crucial to verify which types of documents are accepted and any existing restrictions before sending.

To obtain a student visa for India for a school (not university) program (e.g., 10th-12th grade): The process typically involves submitting documents, attending an interview, and undergoing a biometric appointment. Timelines can be quick, for example, an interview on June 3rd and passport collection on June 5th. A specific additional requirement for private schools might be documentation of the school's state registration.

In India, PAN cards and Aadhar numbers must be linked for Indian citizens to open bank accounts or work; failure to do so can result in account blocking. This requirement does not apply to foreigners or Non-Resident Indian (NRI) accounts, which have different regulations. The deadline for this linkage was July 21, 2024.