| 1. Travel with the correct Visa: A visa type cannot be | | | | 6. Take Due Care Sourcing a Residential Rental |
| changed after arrival in India. However Business and | | | | Apartment: Rent an apartment through a reputable |
| employment visas can be extended in India, Business | | | | relocation company or real estate agency. The Indian |
| visas with a 180 day stay restriction cannot be | | | | residential real estate market is disorganised and prices |
| extended in India. | | | | are highly negotiable. If not already present in an |
| 2. Get all the recommended Inoculations: Do this before | | | | apartment, try to get furniture and white goods |
| arrival in India. There are many internet sites that will list | | | | included in the rental price. |
| all the required inoculations for India, however visiting | | | | 7. Find a Home in the Right Area of Town: Rent a |
| the local doctor or clinic to obtain the most up to date | | | | house or apartment in the right location. Indian cities can |
| information is recommended. | | | | be a challenge to navigate and finding the kind of |
| 3. Make sure you Register at the local FRRO, | | | | facilities and services you take for granted in western |
| (Foreigners Regional Registration Office): Any visa | | | | countries can be difficult. As such; expatriate |
| which does not have a 180 day stay restriction or less | | | | communities tend to live in designated areas with easy |
| must be registered at the local FRRO (Foreigners | | | | access to restaurants, bars, shopping, medical facilities, |
| Regional Registration office) office, within 14 days of | | | | etc. |
| arrival in India. Failure to do can have serious | | | | 8. Be Careful about what you Eat and Drink: Eating |
| consequences. | | | | indiscriminately can be a big mistake for recent arrivals. |
| 4. Register with your local Embassy or Consulate in | | | | It takes time for the body to adjust to a change in diet |
| India: This enables the embassy or consulate to | | | | and bacteria. High end hotels and restaurants are best |
| contact you in case of emergency and vice versa. | | | | in the beginning; avoid ice if not in a high end |
| Many foreign consulates host social events and will | | | | establishment. |
| notify you of these if you are registered. This can be a | | | | 9. Prepare to bargain! Whilst many shops now have |
| good opportunity to mingle and network with fellow | | | | fixed prices, the average Indian business man or |
| expatriate nationals. | | | | woman would consider it a dereliction of duty if they |
| 5. Be Aware of Local Customs: Having some | | | | did not properly bargain. In some ways it's a kind of |
| knowledge of Indian culture before arrival is an | | | | sport. Foreigners are expected to pay a premium so |
| advantage. For instance if you are a man, many | | | | the initial asking price will usually be quite high. |
| women will shake your hand in India, especially in a | | | | 10. Give yourself Time to Adjust: Adjusting to life in a |
| business setting. However for some it is still taboo and | | | | developing country can be difficult; it requires patience |
| a mutual nod of the head will do, being alert to this will | | | | and a willingness not to rush to judgement. |
| help you avoid embarrassing situations. | | | | |