Goa Travel Tips

Many foreign tourists come to Goa for a long stay while they rent their house and apartment in their countries. While some of them start some business here, there are many who just want to live in the state for six months. So, this information is for those who want a never-ending weekend in Goa! While a person can get a tourist visa, he needs a work visa or a business permit to start work here. Many foreigners have been booked for running a business without necessary papers. One cannot start business on a tourist visa. Those who have been in India for a certain period of time under the specific visa can look into other prospects here.

• HOUSEHOLD HELP
Many migrants from neighboring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra come to Goa for better prospects. Ask your grocer, poi man (bread man) or neighbor to get you a domestic help. You can get a maid who will clean your home and leave in a couple of hours or one who can stay with you. depending on your requirement. For a part-time maid, you should pay a maximum of Rs500 to Rs650. For a live-in maid, depending on the work she does, the pay could vary from Rsl ,000 to Rs2,000 per month. A cook usually comes once a day and charges around Rs 1,500 onwards. Try and bargain with them.

• VISAS
Every foreign national (except Nepalis and Bhutanis) requires a visa. This applies also to children. Multiple-entry tourist visas are valid for six months from the date of issue. These can be applied for from the embassies in your country of residence.

• LOST PASSPORT
Losing a passport in any country is a scary prospect. If this happens to you, immediately get in touch with your embassy or consulate. It is advisable to carry an attested photocopy of your passport at all times.

• HEALTH
Goa is a far cleaner place than other states in the country. The standard of hygiene is considerably higher. However, you should be careful. You should drink mineral water, take quinine tablets to prevent malaria, and take basic precautions like that.

• ACCOMMODATION'
There are many options to choose from as far as accommodation rentals are concerned. There is a space crunch in the peak tourist season, which is between December and January. Most newspapers carry a large number of advertisements for rental of apartments in their classified section. In towns and along the coastal belt, you can rent apartments ranging from a single room flat to one with many rooms. The house may be furnished or unfurnished, as you may desire. Villas or bungalows are popular, especially if you can get a view of a beach or a river from there. Rates vary, depending on the area, amenities available and the place itself. In most cases, you will have to deposit a certain amount of cash. All real-estate firms and individual brokers (there are quite a few available and you need to check on their authenticity) normally charge a month's rent as their fee.

Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, acquire any immovable property in India by way of purchase?
Under Section 2 (ze) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, transfer includes, among others, 'purchase'. Therefore, a foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, cannor acquire any immovable property in India by way of purchase. For other details on this, log on to www.rbi.org.in and search for FEMA, the Foreign Exchange Management Act.