To all Indian Americans living in US questions about Foreign Exchange and PIO "Q" in Mumbai Airport

Citizen2009*

Registered Users (C)
Hello Friends,:cool:
Just have a quick question and hope you guys can help me out. Well me and my wife will be travelling to Mumbai, India soon just wanted to know once we land in Mumbai Airport can you guys tell me a reliable bank which are present in airport? where I can covert our $USD to Indian Rupees? Also what is the procedure for doing so? ( Do we have to fill forms show our US passports?) Are there any fees or commissions charged by the exchange bank at the airport? I have heard foreign banks charge fees at airports but Indian banks don't. is this true? Also do you get better exchange rate if you convert $USD in cash or in Traveler's checks? :confused:By the way once we land is there a separate line for PIO card holders at Indian immigration? what is the procedure for (Person of Indian Origin) PIO card holders? Thank you so much for your help friends I really appreciate it.
:cool:
Devang
 
Don't Indian banks have ATMs? That's the universal way of getting foreign currency these days.
 
Don't worry too much.

The rates at airport will be bad, but there will be at least exchange guy so don't worry about inability to get cash. Also, ATMs should be there. Yes, exchange brokers will see your passport, but they will take care of all paperwork except your John Hancock.

Re immigration - do not know how it is in Mumbai - usually there are 1 or 2 lines - if there are 2 - one is for Indians, and the other for foreigners. If you are PIO, you go in foreigners line. If you are a mixed family (some desi, some not) - choose any.
 
Hello

Hello Sanjoseaug20,
Thank you so much for your response. Airport rates are bad? you mean if official is Rs 45 per USD$ would they be like Rs 40 or something per USD$? oh yeah if that is the case I will change only couple but if it is couple of Rs then I guess it is okay after all I have to pay for cab, domestic airlines and shopping and stuff. I really don't want to use my ATM in India (Too much hassle with fees from US banks and Indian banks for using their ATM I am sure) just want to keep it Cash or Credit Card to be safe. Oh yeah I am a PIO card holder so I guess it will be the foreigners line. WOW my first time in that line sad my Indian passport was cancelled after US citizenship I will still carry it with me feels like I am coming back to my other home. Thanks.

Devang
 
Hello Sanjoseaug20,
Thank you so much for your response. Airport rates are bad? you mean if official is Rs 45 per USD$ would they be like Rs 40 or something per USD$? oh yeah if that is the case I will change only couple but if it is couple of Rs then I guess it is okay after all I have to pay for cab, domestic airlines and shopping and stuff. I really don't want to use my ATM in India (Too much hassle with fees from US banks and Indian banks for using their ATM I am sure) just want to keep it Cash or Credit Card to be safe. Oh yeah I am a PIO card holder so I guess it will be the foreigners line. WOW my first time in that line sad my Indian passport was cancelled after US citizenship I will still carry it with me feels like I am coming back to my other home. Thanks.

Devang

I've used my ATM card at various places in Europe and Asia (including India) since 1995 and have never had a problem. The only places where the card number has been compromised have been France and the US.
Find out the atm fees before you leave so you can decide the minimum economical ATM withdrawal. (especially if there is a 'minimum transaction fee').
Alternately, there are always AMEX travelers checks...
 
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