1 Lock the basics 6+ weeks out

Check passport validity — needs 6+ months beyond return date

Verify OCI card — re-stamp after every passport renewal, especially for kids

Book flights — Tue/Wed departures save 10-20% over weekends

Buy travel insurance covering India — US plans rarely do; carry digital + paper proof

Plan in-India travel — book trains, internal flights, hotels early for Diwali / Christmas / summer

2 Money + connectivity 3-4 weeks out

Order a multi-currency forex card — locks USD→INR rate, zero ATM markup

Notify your US bank + cards of foreign travel — avoid frozen cards on day 1

Confirm your Indian bank app login (NRE/NRO) — most lock after 90 days idle

Set up UPI on your Indian number, or get an eSIM with Jio/Airtel pre-loaded

Buy a travel eSIM for the layover / first 48 hours — Airalo "Crick" India plan

3 Gifts + customs 2 weeks out

Know your Indian customs allowance — ₹50,000 (adult), ₹15,000 (under 12) duty-free

Cap gold — 20g men / 40g women, must wear or carry receipts

Pre-order gifts in India for arrival — flowers, sweets, home delivery (saves luggage)

Plan duty-free — alcohol limit 2 litres, cigarettes 100, 1 laptop

Stock parents' essentials they ask for — supplements, protein powder, vitamins

4 Last week + day-of 7 days → flight

Refill prescriptions for full trip duration + a buffer — carry in original bottles

Carry a paper copy of insurance + flight + hotel — Indian airport WiFi is unreliable

Carry passport + OCI together — Indian immigration checks both at every port

Pack a power bank + Type-D adaptors — Indian outlets are inconsistent

5 First 48 hours in India on arrival

Switch on Indian SIM / activate eSIM before leaving the airport — Uber, Ola need OTP

Test UPI with a small ₹10 transfer — most NRI cards/apps need a fresh login

Confirm Indian health policy is active before any private hospital visit

Going home to India? Don't forget these 22 things.