Sometimes, out of curiosity, they make a token appearance before returning to the kitchen or their private apartments. The red dot on their forehead once signified that they were married. Now even unmarried women wear the 'tika' as a mark of fashion. Men too can be seen with a mark of ash or paste on their foreheads. Those are simply religious symbols, more prevalent among holymen and the people of south India.
Valid visas are also compulsory.
Tourists travelling to neighbouring countries must possess multiple entry visa for India. In hotels and restaurants where service charges are not included tips are usually expected. Taxis are paid by their meters which are updated by corresponding charts since the petrol prices keep changing. Strangely enough, cabbies do not expect tips but it is not considered rude if you leave them small change.