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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - Advice and Information

  • Last Updated: 10/02/2011
  • Category: Sport

Summary: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and England and Wales Cricket Board have issued advice for cricket fans travelling abroad to India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka between 19 February and 2 April 2011.

FCO advice for cricket fans attending matches abroad:

In order to stay safe during your travels to the Cricket World Cup 2011 destinations, the FCO advises travellers to:

  • Carry a form of photo identification at all times - authorities may request that you show yours during random inspections
  • Safeguard your passport at all times and ensure that the photocopies of all of your vital documents are stored separately from the originals
  • Take care when you travel by car or bus - poor road conditions and dangerous driving are a reality in some parts
  • Be careful of consuming local foods that you are unfamiliar with and also take care in where you eat and drink
  • Contact the British High Commission if you fall ill while you are away - they will be able to offer the details you need about local hospitals and doctors (see details below)
  • Keep an eye on your valuables, such as cameras and make sure they are out of sight
  • Inform the police if you see anything suspicious such as unattended items by dialling 100 in India, 999 in Bangladesh, and 119 in Sri Lanka

Advice to follow before you go:

Please make sure you follow the FCO advice below before you board your plane:

  • Take out travel and medical insurance to avoid costly unforeseen expenses down the line
  • Visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations or malaria tablets
  • Do some research on the local laws and customs so that you understand the culture
  • Arrange your tickets and accommodation in advance as there will be a high demand at key venues - also ensure that you book these through approved websites or outlets
  • Register with the FCO's LOCATE service to help them give you better assistance in an emergency
  • See the FCO's travel advice for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
  • Make sure you are familiar with the rules on what foods can be brought back into the UK from countries outside the EU - there are certain bans and restrictions that apply to food products
  • Sign up to FCO travel advice on Facebook and follow @britishabroad on Twitter to receive the latest updates
  • Visit the England and Wales Cricket Board website for more information

Important visa requirements:

It is essential that you check the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to. Visas are required for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Please note that if you are planning to attend Cricket World Cup matches in more than one of these South Asian countries, you should apply for a double or triple entry visa (you'll need to provide evidence of your itinerary upon your application).

India:

  • You must obtain a visa before travelling to India
  • Your passport is required to be valid for a minimum of 6 months when you enter India
  • You can get double and triple entry tourist visas which enable you to re-enter India within 60 days from the neighbouring countries (you'll need evidence of your itinerary on application)
  • If you arrive without a visa, you will be refused entry
  • Find out more at India Visa Information UK

Bangladesh:

  • Visas are required to enter Bangladesh
  • Dual Bangladeshi/ British Nationals are able to obtain a 'No Visa Required' stamp, however, this but this will limit the assistance that the British government can offer you
  • Contact the Bangladesh High Commission UK for more details

Sri Lanka:

  • Visas are required for trips to Sri Lanka
  • British nationals now receive a 30-day visit visa (free of charge) upon their arrival
  • You may contact the High Commission of Sri Lanka for further advice

British Embassy Contacts:

Please don't hesitate to contact the following British embassies and consulates across South Asia if you require urgent assistance:

If you'd like to know more about the sights and culture of India, please read our India Travel Guide.