Applications regarding shooting of Features Films, TV Films and Commercials are processed at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Applications must be sent directly or through the Cultural Department / Press Office of your nearest Embassy or High Commission of India. It is only on recommendation of this Ministry that the other Ministry's will provide facilities to film units. Proposals regarding shooting of documentary films however are to be sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (External Publicity Division).

After the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted permission the next stage is to obtain the necessary approval and assistance from the Local Collector (Mayor) of the area where the selected locations are situated. It is only after obtaining his/her permission that the Production Service Company can approach the Police and local authorities for their assistance and permission.

For Feature IMB Ministry permission is required and it take min. 8 weeks For Documentary, T.V or advertisement we need M.E.A permission it takes 4 weeks Shooting in Forest area a permission from Forest Ministry is needed along with MEA or IMB permission. It takes min. 4 weeks For Defense Forces area a permission from Defense Ministry along with MEA or IMB permission. It takes min. 8 weeks For shooting in Railway premises permission from Railway Ministry along with MEA or IMB permission. It takes min. 4 weeks Foreign crew is not allowed to shoot in restricted areas if they want to shoot they have to apply in respected depts. and depends on the department's judgment For Leh-Ladakh, J&K and Andaman it requires min. 8 weeks for permission.

Should you wish to bring shooting equipment, props & costumes a list of the equipment to be temporarily imported should be provided to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. This will enable them to make a recommendation to the customs authorities to exempt the temporary import from customs duty.

Keep in mind that climatic conditions in the far north are distinctly different to those of the extreme south. India's climate can be defined by three seasons - the hot, the wet (monsoon) and the cool, each of which can vary in duration from north to south. Monsoon starts around 1 June in the extreme south and sweeping north to cover the whole country by early July. Around October the monsoon ends for most of the country. This is when India sees most tourists - however, it's too late to visit Ladakh (May to October is the optimum period). During October and November it's generally not too hot and not too cool In general filming is fine year round, however it is best to avoid filming in the north of India in the summer months when average temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Kodak film is available directly from Kodak in Mumbai. However, order in advance, as stock is not always available especially 1000ft/300 meter cans.

Most service companies recommend that you process your film outside of the country. They do this more for their own comfort level than because of any real problem with the labs in the country. However we highly recommend Prasad Labs, Ad labs and Rainbow at Ramoji Film City, which are assessed as meeting Kodak Image care standards.

GSM mode. European phones should work. Cell Phones are available for rent or purchase and calls abroad should not be that expensive.

Travel as light as possible. Clothing and laundry are both quite inexpensive. Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. Ask, so that you don't unwillingly give offence. It’s better for women to avoid tank tops or short skirts / shorts. The best outfit, especially during the hot summers, is a T-shirt worn with loose cotton trousers.

Approx 45 Indian Rupees to 1 US $. Floating Currency. Currency should be changed only at the authorized dealers. (Airports, most banks and many hotels) They will issue an encashment certificate, which is later required to reconvert local currency into foreign currency. Credit cards like Visa and Master cards, as well as American Express and Diners, are accepted in many establishments in the major towns and cities. All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash or by traveler’s cheques. (However Indian rupees are accepted if supported by proof of certificate of encashment in India of foreign currency or travelers cheques).

Forget about it. Really do you want to carry the insurance? Indians drive on the left hand side of the road. Almost all rental cars throughout India are chauffer driven. However if you wish to drive yourself you require an International Driving Permit. This is usually obtained from your local transit department or road associations before arriving in India. However, we recommend you avoid driving yourself. Indian roads can be dangerous if you are not accustomed to them. Seatbelts are compulsory for passengers seated in the front of an automobile. We’ll recommend that everyone in the vehicle should use seatbelts.

Adequate to excellent medical care is available in major urban centres across India are comparable to the west. However regional facilities are usually under-equipped or unavailable. Our Production ensures adequate support and proximity to health facilities and/or practitioners is available to the production should the need arise.

Service is just being upgraded to DSL in the cities. In the countryside, service is expensive and slow, if it exists at all.

India is a shopper’s dream. Shopping is recommended from fixed price Government Emporiums/Shops and from suggested shops on the list of the Department of Tourism. In small shops, and in small towns and cities, bargaining is a standard practice, and is enjoyed by all concerned. Do not crowd too many places in your itinerary. Make sure that you get a free half-day at every major centre for shopping or to explore and wander around on your own. While Shopping avoid touts and brokers.

Everything in India takes time - longer than in most places. So always give yourself extra time for whatever you may have to do - even it is just a visit to the Post Office or changing money. Indians joke about the concept of "Indian Stretchable Time" (IST). Certainly, if you're a super-punctual sort, India can be frustrating. Make allowances for this.

In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally included in the bill. Some hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary. The standard tip is 10%. In hotels, porters and room service attendants are normally tipped at the end of the stay, though an early tip is likely to get you better service.

In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between. Take every opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit wherever you go.

Entry will not be allowed into India without the appropriate visa being issued. Overseas personnel wishing to work in India will require an Employment Visa. For further information regarding the appropriate visa please contact the nearest Indian Consulate.

Is issued for 6 months, 1 year and 10 years. The period of stay in India (for each visit) is 6 months only.

1. Valid for 6-months/one year with multiple entries. A letter (on company letterhead) from Sponsoring Organization indicating the nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited incorporating therein a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc. should accompany the application.
2. Long term Business Visa for ten years (multiple entries) in case of US Citizens and five years (multiple entries) for other nationals are available only to those who have set up industrial / business joint ventures in India. This fact, along with the details of joint venture in India must be mentioned in the sponsorship letter.

Employment Visa is initially issued for one-year stay subject to fulfillment of certain conditions. This can be extended at Foreigners Regional Registration Office in India if the job contract continues.

Issued to journalists and film crews the period of time specified by the Ministry of External Affairs and The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Restricted/Protected Areas: For visit to Restricted/Protected Areas, a separate application, giving details of the places to be visited, should accompany the visa application. All foreign nationals are required to obtain permits for each visit to a restricted/protected area.