Travel Information

Passports & Visas

Passport: A passport is required for foreigners to enter India. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of visa application to obtain a visa.

Visa: Find important details about securing a visa for travel to India on this page.

Health & Safety Information

It is advised to check with health authorities, such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), regarding vaccinations, etc. that may be required or recommended for you to visit India.

Travelers to India are advised to not drink the tap water. Use bottled water, even when you brush your teeth, and be sure the bottle has a sealed cap to assure that it has been sterilized.

Medical and Other Insurance: Check with your personal medical insurance plan before leaving your home country to ensure you have adequate insurance while traveling. Visitors are urged to take out insurance to cover loss incurred in the case of cancellation, medical expenses, and damage to or loss of personal effects whenever traveling outside of their own country.

COVID-19 Information

We expect all attendees, exhibitors, and guests of the 2023 ISHRS World Congress to abide by the ISHRS’s COVID-19 policies and protocols. At a minimum this will include local mandates, and realizing this is an evolving situation, all parties acknowledge that said policies and protocols are subject to change.

Current entry requirements to India may be found at the following website: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/covid19

All will also be expected to monitor their own health status and not attend the World Congress if symptomatic of COVID-19 in any way or if they believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

As you make your travel plans, we recommend the following:

• Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover your personal travel-related expenses. Read the legal language carefully to assure that the policy covers pandemics and specifically COVID-19.
• Stay informed of travel policies set by the airlines at the time you book your ticket and when you travel.
• Note that all travel reservations are made at your own risk. The ISHRS cannot make guarantees around individual travel plans. At any time the situation may change, and it may be the case the ISHRS must cancel the in-person component of the meeting at the last minute. Accordingly, we recommend that you purchase a travel insurance policy to cover these expenses.

Airport & Ground Transportation Information

The conference venue, Leela Ambience Gurugram, is conveniently located 11 min (8.6 km) from Indira Gandhi International Airport (airport code: DEL).

Private Transfer: Our local Delhi partner, Dreamz Conference Management Pvt. Ltd. is offering airport transfers, which can be booked on the Dreamz weblink below for the ISHRS World Congress. Their price for each one-way transfer between the airport (DEL) & Leela Ambience Gurugram is INR 3,000 or $35 USD plus 18% tax one-way, flat rate for 1-2 passengers.

Taxi: Taxi service is also available from the airport. Click here for further information.

Uber: Ride share services are also available in Delhi, including Uber.

Additional Information

Language: Hindi is the national language in India with Bengali and Marathi widely spoken. English is also spoken in large cities or tourist destinations. In Hindi, “Namaste” is the word for “hello.” When greeting people, say namaste while bringing your hands together at your heart and bowing just slightly. It’s also common to say “namaskar” as a greeting.

Currency: Indian Rupee

Delhi Population: Approximately 15,217,000

Weather: Dry and relatively cool, November is one of the most pleasant months in New Delhi. November temperatures are generally between 82°F and 58°F (28°C and 15°C). There is approximately 11 hours of daylight.

Time Zone: India Standard Time (GMT+5:30)

Recommended Attire:

• The attire for the ISHRS World Congress is business.
• This year’s gala will have a “Bollywood” theme and attendees are encouraged to wear Indian style formalwear (saree, lehenga choli, anarkali, jodhpuri, sherwani, bandhgala). If you prefer you may wear black tie, or as has been a tradition of the ISHRS, you may wear a costume reflective of your native country for the Gala.
• For general attire when out in Delhi: Loose-fitting dresses and cotton shirts make breathable options for warm days, but also offer coverage for overnight lows that can dip into the 50s. Have a jacket or sweater with you in the evening. Modesty in dress is encouraged. If visiting religious monuments both men and women should dress modestly, in looser-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs – no shorts or sleeveless shirts for either gender. Women should also bring a scarf. Not all religious sites will ask female visitors to cover their heads, but it’s a sign of respect to have one ready. If a site requires fuller body cover for visitors they will generally have it available upon entry, sometimes for a fee.

Local Taxes: The standard sales tax rate is 18%.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are being accepted in an increasing number of cafes, shops, restaurants and accommodations in India, with Mastercard and Visa being the most common. Cash is still primarily used outside of the major cities.

Tipping in Restaurants:

• Restaurants: 10% is the customary standard for servers and bartenders with up to 15% for superior service.
• Taxis & Rickshaws: You can tip the driver by rounding up the fare to the nearest multiple of ten.
• Airport Shuttle Drivers: These drivers should be tipped 50 rupees for timely service.

Tipping in Hotels:

• Housekeeping: Leave a small tip of 10-50 rupees per day.
• Room Service: Bills might already have service charges added, but you can tip 10 percent if you are not sure.
• Bell Service: Give a small tip of INR 20 per bag.
• Tour Guides: Tipping guides and drivers after tours in India is customary, especially if they do a good job. Guides and personal drivers should tipped between 100-300 rupees per day, depending on the quality of service.
• Spas: It’s not necessary or expected to leave a tip. If you’re really happy with the service, you can leave a small token of appreciation.

Shop Hours: There are no standard hours of business for shops, but most close by 8:00PM. Before setting out for shopping, check the closing days. In many states the shops are closed on Sundays, while in Delhi, many shops close on a particular weekday and remain open on Sundays.

Electricity: For India there are three associated plug types, types C, D and M. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug type M is the plug which also has three round pins.

India operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz