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Traveling to India - Revised Guidelines

Dated the 29 th December 2022

Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Guidelines for International Arrivals (in supersession of guidelines issued on the subject on 22 nd December 2022)

Introduction

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’ in context of COVID-19 pandemic and updated the same from time to time. The present guidelines are being revised in light of increasing trajectory of COVID-19 cases being noted in some countries across the world.

This document provides protocols to be complied by international travellers as well as points of entry (airports, seaports and land border) and shall be valid for all flights landing in India w.e.f. 1 st January, 2023 (10.00 Hrs IST) till further orders.

A.1. Planning for Travel

i. All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.

ii. Additional requirements apply to passengers in all international flights from certain high risk countries*. Such travellers would be required to:

   a. Submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal ( newdelhiairport.in ) before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days’ travel details.

   b. Upload negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report** on the Air Suvidha portal (The test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey).

   c. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise

   d. They should also give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the journey that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority for any post arrival requirement including home/institutional quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted.

A.2. During Travel

iii. In-flight announcement about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry.

iv. Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. the said passenger should be wearing mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow up treatment.

A.3. On arrival

v.  De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.

vi. Thermal screening should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry.

vii. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol (as above).

viii. The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed:

   a) A sub-section (2% of the total passengers** in all incoming international flights) shall undergo random post arrival testing at the airport on arrival, irrespective of port of departure.

   b) Such travellers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport thereafter.

   c) If such travellers’ samples are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.

   d) They shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.

ix. All travellers should self-monitor their health post arrival also shall report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

* China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan

** Children under 12 years of age are exempted from both pre-departure and post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.

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Guidelines for International Arrivals

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Air Suvidha

Important note! Now, it is no longer necessary to fill out the Air Suvidha Declaration before traveling to India.

What is Air Suvidha

Do I Need the Air Suvidha

Air Suvidha Requirements

• Flight to India details
• Valid passport
• Vaccination certificate or a negative RT PCR test result
• Stay in India details, including the address for the stay
• Contact details (phone number and email address)
• an active email address
• an internet connection
• any working device, such as your phone, laptop, PC, or tablet

Applying for Air Suvidha – Application Process – How to Apply Online

• Fill out the online application form with the required details
• Check the completed form thoroughly and look for any misspellings, incorrect or missing information and correct any errors you may find
• Check your email inbox for the PDF confirmation of completing the Air Suvidha Form for India

How Long is the Air Suvidha Valid for?

Air Suvidha Form can be filled out entirely online. Applicant needs to fill out the online form by entering some essential information, such as personal and passport data, travel details, as well as some health information. Next, every application should be carefully checked whether all the details provided are correct and up-to-date. It will also be necessary to upload additional documents (copy of your valid passport, PCR test) and cover the processing fee. Once approved, the receipt of the Air Suvidha Form will be sent to the applicant’s email inbox.

Tehsil (also known as tahsil or taluk) is an administrative division local unit used by certain Indian countries. The name is most often translated to ‘township’. The tehsil name is required to be entered when completing the online application form.

The Air Suvidha is an online health declaration introduced by the Indian authorities amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The form remains mandatory to be completed by every person arriving in India. Despite the fact that the country’s authorities do not specify the time when the declaration is to be submitted, all travelers should best complete it no later than 72 hours prior to the planned travel.

A tail number is a physical identification number that is painted on the plane. The number is most often placed on the aircraft’s tail, hence its name. The Air Suvidha Form requires an applicant to provide the tail or flight number. The flight number functions as a virtual code, while a tail number is a physical one. Both numbers must consist of 4-6 alphanumeric values and may contain no space or special characters.

PNR stands for Passenger Name Record, which is a digital certificate that is issued to every person who buys a plane ticket. Without this number, a passenger is not able to do the online check-in or modify their flight bookings. The PNR number is one of the obligatory information that must be entered in the Air Suvidha Form.

If you have received the confirmation email containing your Air Suvidha receipt, you will need to download it and save it as a digital copy. You may also carry its physical copy just in case of some technical difficulties to present its electronic copy during the border control.

ERO number is given to every applicant who decides to register their data for Air Suvidha Form via the official governmental website. By choosing our services, we will handle all the formalities for you. After covering the processing fee, you will receive the confirmation number. With this number, you will be able to check the progress of your application.

There are three easy steps to apply for the Air Suvidha. First of all, you must open an online application form. Next, you must fill all the obligatory fields with the requested information and attach supporting documents (if applicable). As a next step, you will need to cover the service fee. Finally, the receipt of your completed Air Suvdha will arrive in your email inbox.

Starting from 1st Jan. 2023, travelers on all international flights from 6 countries, including China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand are required to have an RT-PCR negative test produced 72 hrs prior to the scheduled departure time. They also must complete the Air Suvidha Form.

Passengers traveling to India from countries classified as non-high-risk do not need to submit the Air Suvidha Form. Travelers are still advised to contact their airlines as they could have introduced their own travel rules.

Yes, the Air Suvidha Form is also obligatory for children traveling to India on international flights from countries classified as high-risk. Children below 12 years of age, however, are exempted from COVID-19 testing requirements both before departure as well as after arrival in India.

No, Air Suvidha is only mandatory for air travelers.

A traveler of any nationality transiting through a high-risk country (Singapore, China, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand) needs to complete the Air Suvidha Form Declaration and upload a negative RT-PCR test result taken 72 hrs prior to travel. The only exemption applies to transit passengers who will not be seeking immigration clearance. They do not need to register their details via Air Suvidha and produce a COVID-19 test.

Providing an RT-PCR valid negative test result is mandatory for all travelers arriving from high-risk countries, irrespective of their COVID-19 vaccination status. The test is not necessary for a passenger in transit not seeking immigration clearance.

If India is only your transit country before reaching your final destination, you will be asked to provide the final destination address.

There is no cut-off time limit for completion of the Air Suvidha Self Declaration. It must be, however, done before boarding.

Providing a valid RT-PCR test report is mandatory for all travelers coming from high-risk countries, regardless of vaccination status.

Yes, all these details must be consistent.

Registering via the official government Air Suvidha portal is free of charge. Nevertheless, if you decide to use our services, you will need to cover the processing fee charged for the professional assistance of our consultants.

You will need to upload a digital copy of your valid passport and an RT-PCR test report produced within 72 hrs before travel.

All travelers are recommended to use masks and maintain physical distancing. However, particular airlines may have imposed their own traveling rules. contact your airline to get more details.

It is not necessary to have international health insurance to travel to India. However, all travelers, not only those from high-risk, are highly recommended to get one with COVID-19 coverage.

Ministry of Civil Aviation mandates Air Suvidha Portal for Ease of Travelling Air Suvidha intends to provide hassle-free, queue free, and convenient air travel to all international passengers Air Suvidha portal assisted 2,51,210 passengers from 1st to 05th Dec 2021 Over 1 crore passengers have been benefitted from the Air Suvidha portal since August 2020

To ensure the smooth passage of international travellers arriving in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has mandated contactless self-declaration at Air Suvidha Portal . The Air Suvidha portal was launched in August 2020 and now has been strengthened to accommodate travel guidelines issued on 30 November 2021 . Air Suvidha is first of its kind digital portal for easing international passenger arrival in India. This portal developed by MOCA aids passengers in providing their details of travel and final stay along with RTPCR, Vaccination status etc. In today’s time, this helps state officials in contact tracing. The implementation of the Air Suvidha intends to provide hassle-free, queue free, and convenient air travel to all international passengers arriving in India . Air Suvidha portal has already assisted2,51,210 passengers from 1 st Dec 2021 to 05 th Dec 2021 since the updating of the new travel guidelines on 30 th November 2021. Furthermore, over1 crore passengershave been benefitted from the Air Suvidha portal since its launch in August 2020.

To ensure the necessary prevention of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the exemption forms from the Air Suvidha portal have been discontinued, and filling of the details have been made compulsory for all international passengers arriving in India.All international passengers arriving in India are mandated to declare their current health status prior to boarding on the Air Suvidha Portal along with the required documents: Copy of Passport, PCR Negative Certificate from a Test conducted within 72 hours of departure and the Vaccination Certificate. For immigration, the copy received in e-mail is essential on arrival in India and has to be verified at the APHO counter.

Updates made to make Air Suvidha friendlier for passengers and health/State officials

• All applications from ‘at risk’ countries are marked with H and red band and others are green. This helps in smooth on arrival segregation and processing. This list is dynamically updated to keep up with MOHFW updates.
• Application also takes into account countries visited in the last 14 days to highlight ‘at risk’ applications. This field is also made into multi-select drop-down option for standardization.
• Standardization of fields by providing drop-down list E.g. district and state for address.
• Updated FAQ list and customer care link along with the latest advisory at the start of the portal.
• For ‘At Risk’ countries passengers are advised to pre-book their test on arrival test and the link to respective testing facility is provided to the passengers on SDF submission.

All international passengers are mandated to follow the below measures arriving/transiting from Countries at-risk

•           Submit self-declaration form on Air Suvidha portal

•           Upload negative RT-PCR report (conducted within 72 hrs. before the journey)

•           Post-arrival COVID-19 test at arriving Airport (self-paid)

•           Home quarantine for 7 days,

•           Re-test on the 8th day and if negative, self-health monitoring for next 7 days

List of Countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India,including post-arrival testing (Countries at-risk)(Updated as on 6th December 2021)

1. Countries in Europe including The United Kingdom

2. South Africa

4. Botswana

7. Mauritius

8. New Zealand

9. Zimbabwe

10. Singapore

11. Tanzania

12. Hong Kong

Air Suvidha Portal Link: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration

For more details, visit: https://bit.ly/NewTravelGuidelinesOct2021

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How to Fill in Air Suvidha form for India Travel in 3 Minutes?

AIR SUVIDHA DELHI AIRPORT - STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO COMPLETE IT AND THE ISSUES YOU CAN COME ACROSS

By Claudia Lizeth last updated on November 28, 2022

It’s no longer news that India has opened up following the Covid-19 pandemic, and international flights have resumed already.

If you are traveling to India, then the Self Declaration Form on the ‘Air Suvidha’ portal is now one of the prerequisites for international travel to India, to facilitate hassle-free entry.

My Indian husband and I, filled in the Air Suvidha Form in March 2022, before traveling to India from Colombia.

In this article, I will describe the whole process, the documents required, the issues you might run into, and how things work out in immigration when you enter India. I will also keep on updating the article when I come across new info.

Table of Contents

What is Air Suvidha Form & Who Needs It?

Since the Covid-19 vaccinations started, different countries have come up with ways to track the health status of travelers to facilitate their entry. For example, to enter Qatar you need to do the Ehteraz registration .

For India, Air Suvidha is a Self Declaration Portal for all international passengers arriving in India from abroad. It is a portal where they can upload some documents for contactless self-declaration to ease their arrival process in India. 

Air Suvidha official website

https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration

Does Everyone Need Air Suvidha?

The short answer is yes.

It doesn’t matter whether you are an Indian citizen or OCI holder or NRI or a foreigner visiting India on a tourist visa, you would need to fill in the Air Suvidha form.

The implementation of the Air Suvidha portal intends to provide hassle-free, queue-free, and convenient air travel to all international passengers arriving in India

What about Air Suvidha Exemption Form?

Although there used to be an Air Suvidha Exemption in the past, it has been discontinued since the Omicron outbreak.

Is Air Suvidha for Delhi Airport Only?

Irrespective of the airport you are landing at, you need to fill in the Air Suvidha form. It is a one-stop solution designed for all international arrivals in India. It is just the website is of Delhi airport.

But whether you are flying to Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai from abroad, you still need to fill in the self-declaration form for India.

How To Fill Air Suvidha Form for Self-Declaration?

Completing the Air Suvidha form is not that complicated at all. You can do it anytime before boarding ideally if you are fully vaccinated. If not, you can do it 3 days before departure to India.

Documents Required for Air Suvidha Form

There is only one document that you definitely need for the Air Suvidha Form. It can be either one of the documents below.

• Covid vaccine certificate
• RTPCR test taken within 72 hours of your departure.

Along with this, you can optionally upload the passport bio page.

Step 1: Fill in your personal details

Head to the Air Suvidha official website , and fill in the mandatory details.

These include

• Date of birth
• Flight Number arriving in India
• Nationality
• Passport number
• Date of arrival
• Domestic flight details if you are taking any
• Country of departure
• City of departure
• First airport of Entry

What are the city and country of departure for connecting flights?

In our case, we flew from Colombia to India, with stopovers in Brazil and Qatar, with the same PNR. So the country of departure was Colombia, while the flight number that arrived in India was the one we flew on from Qatar to India.

In the same way, for us, Bogota in Colombia was the city of departure.

If you are taking a direct flight, then the city and country would be from where you are flying.

Are you taking domestic flights?

If you are taking any domestic flights after landing in India, you need to provide the domestic flight number as well.

Step 2 : Provide Final Destination Address

The final destination should be where you would be staying at.

So for example, if the first airport in India that you would be landing at is Delhi but from Delhi, you would be taking a domestic flight to Patna, where you live, then your final destination is Patna.

So the address should be for Patna only in that case.

In our case, we landed in Bangalore which was our final destination, so we provided the address details for Bangalore.

You also need to provide a working phone number.

Step 3: Declare Current Health Status

After this, you need to provide your health status by choosing Yes/No for the following.

• Symptoms of fever, cold, or respiratory distress
• Suffering from Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Bronchial Asthma
• Under Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Post Transplant Patients (Yes/No)

Since we didn’t have any of them, we simply provided No for all of them.

Then, you can provide the countries you have been to in the last 14 days.

We provided Qatar and Colombia.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Once you fill in the forms, you can upload the documents like passport and vaccination proof and RT-PCR test in PDF format. The maximum upload size is 1MB.

Step 5: Receive the confirmation and email

Once you click on submit, you should see a confirmation screen with a reference number.

At the same time, you will also receive an email with a PDF of your application.

How to Check Air Suvidha Application Status?

You can do the Air Suvidha status check by visiting Track Application Status, from the Air Suvidha dropdown on the top right corner.

After this, you would need to provide the application request number, your passport number, and your date of birth.

Usually, the status would be that your application has been received.

Do You Have to Take RT-PCR Test for Air Suvidha Form Filling?

While many countries still need the mandatory  RT-PCR conducted 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure, for entering India it is no longer required  if the travelers can show their full Vaccination Certificate.

The vaccination certificate must be for one of the approved vaccines.

However, this applies to people from 87 countries, including Canada, Australia, the USA, & the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and many others. You can check the  entire list here .

Since we were fully vaccinated, there was no reason for us to upload the RT-PCR test results on the Air Suvidha portal. However, this was a required field and we were not able to complete the form without uploading the PCR test results.

Now, in our case, we had to do the RT-PCR test as we needed to pass through Brazil and then Qatar. So we simply uploaded the same test.

If you face a similar situation, try to clear the cache and cookies from the browser and resubmit the form again. Or try doing it on a different browser. You’ll most likely be able to submit the form without the RT-PCR test.

If that doesn’t work, here is what you can do.

• Upload the vaccination certificate again for RT-PCR test
• Select a date with 72 hours of arrival

This is approved by the Air Suvidha Delhi Airport authorities , and we have known people personally who have done it.

How To Edit Your Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form?

In case you believe that you have made a mistake while filling out Air Suvidha Form, you can always go and edit the form.

To do this, navigate to Air Suvidha > Edit Self Declaration Form on the top right corner of Air Suvidha Portal.

You would need to provide the following details and click on the Submit button.

• Air Suvidha application number
• Your passport number
• Your date of birth.

Entering India with Air Suvidha

We were asked to demonstrate the Air Suvidha form (that we received in the email) by the airlines before boarding the flights in Colombia and Qatar. So there is a big chance that they will ask you the same.

We landed at Bangalore airport and were asked to queue up at a health-check counter right before the immigration. There are no separate queues for Indians and foreigners at the health check counter.

There we had to produce the Air Suvidha Form, which we simply showed from the phone. You can carry the Air Suvidha Form printout as well.

We also had to show the Covid vaccination certificates. We took the vaccines in India so they verified it real fast. In case, you took it in any other country, you can show the same.

After all this, they stamped our boarding pass and we proceeded to the immigration.

How To Upload COVID Test On The 8th Day On Air Suvidha?

In case, you aren’t fully vaccinated for Covid or   belong to countries (other than the 87 countries mentioned above), then you will have to upload the COVID test on the 8th Day on Air Suvidha.

To do this, you would need to retrieve the application using

• Application Number
• Passport Number

Air Suvidha FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions when it comes to Air Suvidha.

1. When to Fill in Air Suvidha Form?

You can fill in Air Suvidha anytime before boarding ideally if you are fully vaccinated. If not, you can do it 3 days before departure to India.

2. Can Parents Complete the Self-declaration Form on Children's behalf?

Yes, parents or legal guardians can complete the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal on behalf of any children who are too young to fill one in themselves.

3. Do I need to Download Air Suvidha App?

There is no Air Suvidha app. The form filling on the website is enough.

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About Claudia Lizeth

Born in Colombia, Claudia now calls India home. She is keenly interested in the spiritual and cultural aspects of India. She is a certified Spanish teacher and a creative thinker.

Reader Interactions

May 20, 2022 at 7:22 pm

Dear Claudia,

I really appreciate your hardwork in letting me know how to fill Air Suvidah form. It was really helpful.

Thanking you once again.

May 23, 2022 at 11:52 am

Glad to help Mohammed.

June 20, 2022 at 7:12 pm

June 20th 2022. Hello Claudia, Appreciate your time and willingness to share your experience with the Air Suvidha form process. This is very helpful. My mother is travelling in June which helps with the process.

Cheers, Jeff

June 22, 2022 at 4:53 pm

Glad to be of help Jeff.

August 7, 2022 at 2:14 am

Thank you so much Claudia. It was very informative and helpful. You have spent a lot of time which is helping everyone. Thanks again. We are leaving on August 31st. We have taken all vaccinations. Can I fill it now Radha

August 8, 2022 at 2:36 pm

Yes you can Radha.

August 13, 2022 at 9:37 am

Do you know if we have already entered India with all the information, and come into Thailand, going back do we need to re do tests and the form again? Thank you

August 15, 2022 at 6:57 am

Hi Lisa, I believe you would need to do it again. No need for test if you are fully vaccinated and it is recognized in India.

August 24, 2022 at 7:54 am

Thank you for your helpful article. Please can I ask about the section that asks for a final destination pincode? What is this & where do I find it? Thank you, Cathy

August 24, 2022 at 10:54 am

Hi Cathy, The final destination pinched would be for the address where you would be staying after arriving in India. Could a residence or hotel address.

September 27, 2022 at 6:45 pm

Good article, well written.

October 2, 2022 at 1:51 pm

Excellent article and clear instructions. Thank you

October 29, 2022 at 6:29 am

Thank you, Claudia, for helping so many needy travelers’ life easy. Appreciate your efforts and time taken to write this article. Keep up the good work. God bless you.

October 30, 2022 at 9:55 am

Thank you Sudhir. Really appreciate it.

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India’s Latest Guidelines on International Travel

This timeline summarizes the most recent developments in the rules and regulations governing international travel to and from India.

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February 2023

• From February 13, 11 AM , passengers coming to India from or via China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand will not require a negative RT-PCR report from a pre-departure test for COVID-19. Travelers from these five countries will no longer have to fill the self-health declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal either. The 2% random testing on arrival in India [from any country of origin] policy that was started December 24 last year, shall continue.

January 2023

• Reported by Times of India , all Indians traveling to Sri Lanka will have to follow the country’s revised COVID-19 protocols. Sri Lanka has announced that all tourists to the country will be required to carry their vaccination cards, and unvaccinated travelers must carry a negative PCR report obtained 72 hours prior to their arrival.

December 2022

December 29, 2022.

• On December 29, 2022, India’s Federal Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that RT-PCR test would be mandatory from January 1, 2023 for international passengers travelling to India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand . The test must be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India. 
• These negative RT-PCR reports must be uploaded on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.
• This requirement is in addition to the random two percent tests of all international passengers in all incoming international flights on their arrival in India irrespective of their port of departure.

December 28, 2022

Air India Express, India’s first international budget carrier that offers flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, has issued guidelines for the maintenance of Covid-appropriate behaviour by travellers travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India. The guidelines include:

• All passengers from UAE should preferably be completely immunised as per the approved primary schedule of Covid vaccination. 
• All visitors should preferably use masks and follow physical distancing on flights/travel and at all points of entry.
• Post-arrival random testing is not required for children under the age of 12. However, if they have Covid-related symptoms upon arrival, they have to undergo testing in accordance with protocol. 

December 26, 2022

• On December 24, 2022, Indian Health Ministry announced that international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand will have to mandatorily present RT-PCR test results . In case any passengers from these countries are symptomatic or test positive for Covid-19, they will be quarantined. 
• Economic Times reporting that Air Suvidha form filling to declare current health status will also be made compulsory for international passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.
• Times of India reporting that Qatar has reinstated visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility for Indian travellers , which were temporarily halted due to FIFA World Cup 2022 in the country. Indian nationals can get a free VOA in Qatar for a maximum stay of 30 days or as per the hotel reservation and under the following conditions: valid passport for at least six months, confirmed return tickets, and confirmed hotel reservation through ‘Discover Qatar’ website only.
• Times of India  reporting that effective from January 1, 2023 , Serbia has discontinued visa-free travel regulations for Indian citizens , keeping in line with the requirements of European Union (EU) visa policy and measures to control illegal migrants. 

December 23, 2022

New guidelines applicable for international arrivals from December 24, 2022: “All travelers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.” See here for the official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notification issued December 22.

India will randomly test 2 percent of international travelers arriving in the country’s airports for COVID, with effect from Saturday (December 24) 10 am IST , as announced by Mansukh Mandaviya, Health Minister on Thursday December 21. Travelers will be allowed to leave the airport after submitting their sample. After the random testing, if found COVID-positive, the person’s sample shall be sent for genomic testing at a designated INSACOG laboratory network; reports shall be hared with Integrated Disease Surveillance Program at [email protected] by the concerned testing laboratory (besides sharing with the airport health organization APHOS) to be in turn shared with concerned state or union territory for further follow-up action.

• India is becoming increasingly cautious after a surge in cases recorded in neighboring China as well as in Brazil, US, Japan, and Korea, besides it being the ongoing holiday and festive season, which witnesses a jump in travel. In another move, visitors to the Taj Mahal (Agra, Uttar Pradesh state), will undergo a COVID-19 test before they enter, as per reporting from news agency ANI. While wearing masks are not currently mandatory in most parts of the country, it will likely be increasingly encouraged. For example, the southern state of Karnataka has made wearing masks mandatory indoors and in closed spaces in guidelines released December 22.

December 14, 2022

• DNA  reporting a travel advisory issued due to the ongoing chaos at Delhi international airport: “To ensure a quick security check, Air India has urged all travelers to bring just one piece of carry-on luggage and arrive at least 3.5 hours early.”
• Times of India  reporting that Hong Kong and Nigeria are among the latest to remove COVID-19 travel rules for international travelers. 
• Business Today  reporting that IndiGo has announced 32 connecting flights between India and Europe – flying to Milan, Manchester, Birmingham, Rome, and Venice – starting December 7, 2022. These international flights will operate in partnership with Turkish Airlines.

November 2022

• Times of India  reporting that Germany is relaxing visa appointment rules for Indian tourists. According to German Missions in the country, Indian travelers can book their visa appointment at any VFS global Visa Application Centre in major Indian cities and the Schengen visa can be applied for three months before the travel date. However, this relaxation does not apply to the D-visa category – students, employment, and family reunion visas, among others.
• New Air India flights announced between India and US, Europe ( Business Traveller ): – Air India is launching new flights connecting Mumbai with New York, Paris, and Frankfurt, and resuming non-stop flights connecting Delhi with Copenhagen, Milan, and Vienna. The new daily Mumbai-New York service to John F Kennedy International Airport will commence February 14, 2023, which will take Air India’s India-US frequency to 47 non-stop flights per week. – The new Air India flights from Delhi to Europe announced are: four weekly Delhi-Milan from February 1, 2023 and three weekly flights each on the Delhi-Vienna and Delhi-Copenhagen routes starting February 18 and March 1, 2023, respectively. – From Mumbai, new Air India flights are currently being planned to Paris* (thrice-weekly) and Frankfurt* (four weekly) from the next quarter. 
• India is discontinuing the Air Suvidha self-declaration form starting November 22, 2022. Passengers flying into India will no longer need to fill out the Air Suvidha form from November 21-22 midnight and will not need to take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test.

On November 14, the Canada  government concluded an expanded Canada-India Air Transport Agreement “to allow unlimited flights between both countries”. The announcement said: “The expanded agreement allows designated airlines to operate an unlimited number of flights between the two countries. The previous agreement limited each country to 35 flights per week. The new rights under the expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately. Money Control reports that this will give Canadian airlines access to the Indian cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai while Indian airlines will receive access to Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, and Vancouver as well as two additional points (Canadian cities) selected by India. India is Canada’s fourth largest international air transport market and there are an estimated 1.5 million Indians living in Canada. Presently the only non-stop direct flights in this market are from Air India and Air Canada.

October 2022

The Financial Express  reports plans of Air India to add 20 weekly, non-stop flights to the US and UK between October and December. “With five additional flights a week to Birmingham, nine additional flights to London, and six additional flights a week to San Francisco, Air India said it will be able to offer over 5,000 additional seats every week.” Soon there will be seven Indian cities offering direct Air India flights to London.

September 2022

• No new updates were made to the “Risk Levels” and “Safety and Security” sections of the Canadian government’s travel advisory for India: The Hindu report .
• Hong Kong is lifting compulsory quarantine requirement for arrivals starting from September 26. There will be three days of medical surveillance during which inbound persons are free to go out but are obliged to comply with Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass, followed by a four-day self-monitoring period, making it a 7-day observation period in total, as per the Hong Kong government’s notification .
• Taiwan will end mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving in the country from October 13 as per reporting from Reuters . Speaking to the media, Taiwan’s Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng stated that from September 29, visa-free entry will be resumed for overseas travelers that previously enjoyed that status. Under its ‘New Taiwan Model’, the government is set to increase weekly arrival limits for international travelers to 60,000 from 10,000 and will not require PCR tests for arrivals. If the pandemic situation is stable, the country will end quarantine from around October 13 and increase the weekly arrival limit to 150,000.
• Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced travel relaxations in Japan while in New York for the UN General Assemebly session. “… from 11 October, Japan will relax border control measures to be on par with the US, as well as resume visa-free travel and individual travel.”  BBC  reports that the cap on daily arrivals will also be lifted.
• Fiji removed its COVID-19 test requirements for international travelers from September 5, 2022.
• Media is reporting that Indians traveling to Indonesia can fast track their visa applications on arriving in Jakarta as VFS Global has reached an exclusive agreement with the Indonesian Immigrant Department.
• See India’s guidelines for international arrivals – dated September 2, 2022 – which came in effect the next day. The document provides protocols to be complied by international travelers as well as those to be followed by airlines and all points of entry (airports, seaports, and land border). 
• International flights resumed operations starting September 3, in Guwahati’s (Assam state) Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), after a gap of two years. In the next few months, officials speaking to the  Hindustan Times said that the LGBIA airport will start flights from Guwahati to Yangon (Myanmar), Kathmandu (Nepal), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Bangkok (Thailand).

January – August, 2022

• Airlines and travel agents in India have to share details of international travelers with the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC) 24 hours before departure and arrival. The information will be provided to the National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC). While this rule had been proposed five years ago, to combat tax avoidance and tax evasion, the government has only now developed a regulatory framework to implement this. India is among 60 countries collecting such details of international passengers. The Ministry of Finance issued the notification on August 8, 2022, as per media reports .
• China no longer requires COVID test information for international arrivals from August 31, 2022 : On Thursday, August 25, 2022, China’s General Administration of Customs released  a new health declaration form for international arrivals, which removes the requirement for visitors to report their nucleic acid test results, infection status, and vaccination dates. This ninth version of the health declaration form will be implemented starting from August 31, 2022, and international visitors can report their health status online by filling out a form on the related WeChat account or webpage. Some  media  interpret that with this update, the current entry requirement, that is, the requirement to have international passengers take two PCR tests for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, the second of which must be within 24 hours of their departure — will be lifted.  However, considering that China is still sticking to its dynamic zero-COVID strategy, we recommend that international travelers double-check with their flight companies for further information.
• The Chinese Embassy in India has updated its “ Application Procedures and Material Requirements of China Visa “, to be implemented from August 24, 2022. See here for the list of requirements and procedures for various types of Chinese visas, including the M-Visa (commercial and trade activities) and the X1-Visa (long-term study): http://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/qz/202208/t20220822_10748221.htm 
• The  Business Standard  noted in a report that China was working to facilitate the return of foreign students, including from India, who have been stuck due to the COVID-19 visa restriction. The paper quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin who told media that the Chinese side were working intensively for the return of foreign students to China. In updated comments on the foreign ministry website, Wenbin said: “We are confident in seeing the return of the first group of Indian students in the near future. Building on that, the Chinese side will further proceed with the return of other Indian students in a well thought-out and orderly manner.”
• India’s domestic air fare caps will end from August 31, as the civil aviation regulator DGCA rolls back restrictions imposed in 2020. This minimum to maximum price band had been introduced to avoid sky high ticket prices due to pent up demand in the domestic travel market. 
• India’s passport offers visa-free access to 60 countries , including Bhutan, Nepal, Macao, Oman, Qatar, and Fiji. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, published by immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, India’s passport ranked 87th. India had ranked 90th in Q3 and Q4 in 2021. The latest index is topped by Japan, whose passport offers visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea and Singapore (at 192 countries each), and Germany and Spain (190). As per reporting by the Hindustan Times: Indians have ‘visa-on-arrival’ access in Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka as well as 21 countries in Africa.
• Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, promised to relax restrictions on international travel in an “orderly” way , which would include facilitating the return of foreign students to rejoin Chinese colleges. Around 500,000 foreign students are enrolled at universities in China, including 23,000 Indians. Li said: “All international students may return to China to continue their studies should they so wish, and outbound commerce and trade activities and cross-border travel for labor services will be advanced in an orderly fashion.” The comments were made during a Special Virtual Dialogue with Global Business Leaders hosted by the forum. Foreign diplomatic missions in China are presently trying to speed up the process to facilitate the return of international students to China. While this is now in a small-scale trial mode, any large-scale opening can be expected only when the country’s epidemic outbreaks slow down.
• Competent authorities in China and India are communicating on securing the resumption of flights and to bring back the first group of Indian students to China at the earliest as reported in  The Economic Times.
• Bhutan is allowing travelers into the country from September 23, 2022 – after a two-year gap. Tourists from India should note the levy of a sustainable development fee (SDF), charged at 1,200 ngultrums (approx. INR 1200) per day; children between the age of six and 12 are charged INR 600 per day and no fee is charged from children below the age of five. The SDF fee is not applicable everywhere – there are exemptions to the levy in 11 districts in the less popular Eastern Bhutan region, until December 2024. 
• India is working to roll out e-passports as per its external affairs minister S. Jaishankar. The minister also informed that the Passport Seva System had been integrated with the DigiLocker system to facilitate paperless documentation. Jaishankar added: “The Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Posts operationalized 428 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) to reach out to our citizens at their doorsteps. The Ministry has successfully integrated the passport issuance systems in 178 of our Embassies and Consulates abroad.” 
• Saudi Arabia has lifted COVID-related travel restrictions on citizens travelling to India, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Vietnam and is accepting pilgrims for the forthcoming annual Hajj season, The Hindu  reports June 20, 2022. The requirement to wear face masks in closed places has also been relaxed.
• China has updated its visa policy for Indians , including Indian professionals and students. China will accept visa applications of foreign nationals and their accompanying family members seeking to return to China for resumption of work in all fields. Visas for tourism and private purposes remain suspended. The details of over 12,000 Indian students have reportedly been forwarded to the Chinese government for visa processing. (Over 23,000 Indian students – mostly enrolled in medical colleges in China – had to return to India and were stuck during the last few years due to the coronavirus pandemic, which first broke out December 2019.) However, China is yet to announce resumption of normal flight facilities between the two countries.
• The US does not require arriving international travelers to take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights to the country from June 12, Sunday. “As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country .”
• Media reports say the DGCA has made masks mandatory at Indian airports and during flights. India recorded 7,240 new cases in 24 hours [ June 9 MoHFW update], the highest since March.
• On Wednesday, June 8, India’s aviation regulator DGCA announced fresh guidelines for COVID-appropriate behavior. The wearing of masks is now mandatory inside the flight / throughout the air travel , and mask removal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances. Violators could be treated as ‘unruly passengers’ and removed from the flight before departure. This is in line with a Delhi High Court order, which stipulates that violators can be put on ‘no fly list’. 
• India’s  overall passenger traffic  (both domestic and international) at airports reached 93 percent of pre-COVID levels in May 2022. International passenger traffic reached 63 percent and 72 percent of pre-COVID levels in April and May, respectively. Recovery of domestic travel reached 98 percent of pre-COVID levels in May 2022.
• Turkey has relaxed all the conditions for Indian travelers entering the country, Turkiye Tourism Board said on Monday, June 6.​​ Now, Indian travelers no longer have to show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-29 or negative RT-PCR test report.
• The United States Embassy in India has tweeted (8.23pm, May 29): “The US Mission to India is pleased to announce that we are resuming routine in-person tourist visa appointments in September 2022. Previously scheduled placeholders have now been cancelled. Applicants whose placeholder appointments were cancelled may now reenter the scheduling system to book regular appointments. Appointments have been opened through 2023.”
• Media reports say that Israel has removed COVID-19-linked travel requirements for foreign visitors, such as presenting a negative RT-PCR test prior to departure, undergoing an RT-PCR test upon arrival, and quarantine observation.
• Livemint reports: “Malaysia Airlines will add new routes, increase frequencies and upgrade aircraft to cater to the Indian market, which remains a key geography for the airline.”
• Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from travelling to sixteen countries, including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, after the Gulf state has recorded a five-fold rise in COVID-19 cases. News18 reports : “Saudi Arabia’s General Department of Passports dropped several Covid-19 restrictions towards the end of last year but are now reimposing some of them as Covid-19 cases are being reported from various parts of the world and China and North Korea bearing the brunt of the Omicron variant which is leading to fresh cases.”
• Indian announced on May 12 that citizens planning to travel abroad are now eligible to get a third (booster/precaution) dose of vaccine three months after their second dose. The rules otherwise stipulate a nine-month gap between the second dose and booster shot. 
• Scoot, the budget airline from Singapore Airlines Group, has launched daily flight services between Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and Singapore, up from three times a week. As per reporting by The Hindu  [April 27, 2022], Scoot has a network of 42 destinations in 16 countries and territories, including Australia and Southeast Asia.
• VietJet has announced that it will resume operations of six flights – on the Delhi-Hanoi route and Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route from April 29, 2022. New flights have also been added by VietJet on the Mumbai-Phu Quoc route and New Delhi-Phu Quoc route, which are scheduled to start from September 9, 2022.
• Hong Kong has banned Air India flights till April 24 due to COVID-19 as three passengers on board one of its flights had reportedly tested positive on arrival.
• On April 11,  Times of India  reported that fully vaccinated passengers from the UAE traveling to India will not necessarily require a pre-departure RT-PCR test at the airport. The move is on a reciprocity basis. However, UAE travelers will need to fill out the passenger locator form on the Air Suvidha portal – same as travelers from any other destination visiting India. Also, travelers need to upload their COVID-19 vaccination certificate onto the Air Suvidha portal.
• Scheduled international flight services have resumed from Sunday, March 27, 2022 after being suspended for two years due to COVID-19. Starting March 27, six Indian airlines and 60 foreign airlines will connect India with 63 countries . Under the new summer schedule (March 27 to October 29), foreign airlines will operate 1,783 weekly flights and Indian carriers will operate 1,466 departures every week. Among domestic airlines, IndiGo will operate 505 departures per week, followed by Tata Group-owned Air India at 361 weekly flights and its subsidiary Air India Express will operate 340 flights per week.
• From the  Indian Express : More international airlines add flights to India : “Emirates said… it will be operating the 35 weekly flights from Mumbai, 28 from Delhi, 24 from Bengaluru, 21 each from Chennai and Hyderabad, 14 from Kochi, 11 from Kolkata, nine from Ahmedabad and seven from Thiruvananthapuram.”
• On March 21, 2022, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced  that from April 1, the Government will lift the flight ban on nine countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK, the USA, and Nepal)  and cut the hotel quarantine period for arrivals. Currently, passenger aircraft from these nine countries are not allowed to land in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive also announced the preconditions for boarding a flight to Hong Kong and the COVID-19 control and prevention measures to be implemented upon arrival. Given this, there are  comments  saying that traveling to Hong Kong will not get much easier even after the ban is lifted. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. plans just one inbound flight every two weeks for fear to be subjected to the city’s 14-day ban on airlines that carry too many passengers found to be infected with COVID-19.
• Singapore announced it is lifting restrictions for all vaccinated travelers from next week. According to officials, from April 1, fully vaccinated adults and unvaccinated children will be allowed to enter Singapore without quarantining, if they take a pre-departure test . Only travelers on a ‘restricted list’ will face curbs in entering Singapore; as of March 24, 2022 – there are no countries on this list.
• On March 21, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) announced relaxed COVID-19-related regulations. NDTV reports MoCA saying “cabin crew members need not wear PPE kit, airlines need not keep three seats vacant on international flights for medical emergencies and security personnel at airports can resume pat-down search of passengers.” However, the use of face mask and maintenance of hand hygiene/sanitizer continues to be mandatory . Airlines may carry additional PPE protective gear, sanitizers, and N-95 masks to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air – for passengers as well as the crew.
• Cochin International Airport announces summer schedule (March 27 to October 29) with 1,190 weekly operations (international and domestic flights). 20 airlines will operate flights to destinations abroad (including 16 international carriers). Indigo has the most weekly departures to international destinations (42) and Air India Express accounts for 38 weekly departure operations. Other prominent carriers are Air Asia Berhad, Ethihad, Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Thai Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Gulf Air, and Fly Dubai. 44 weekly departures are scheduled for Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi with 42. Air India Express will continue its weekly operations to London and Thai Air Asia will resume Kochi operations in June, with 4 weekly direct flights to Bangkok. Source:  The Hindu Business Line
• Useful Quick Links from the Air India portal: – Official Circular on Restoration of Indian Visa (E-Tourist Visa and Tourist Visa) for Foreign Tourists   – Circular For Generating and Accessing International Digital Covid 19 Vaccination Certificate – International Travel Advisories
• Singapore Airlines Group press release: All Singapore Airlines flights from India to Singapore will operate as vaccinated travel lane (VTL) services from March 16, 2022. This will provide eligible customers with quarantine-free entry into Singapore from eight points across India. Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, will also progressively convert its non-VTL services from Amritsar, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchi, and Visakhapatnam to VTL services. Short-term visitors and Singapore work-permit holders who seek to avail VTL services must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) prior to their visa application. VTP applications should be made between three and 60 calendar days before the person’s intended date of entry into Singapore. Travelers must ensure their eligibility to use the VTL services before their flight. 
• Regular international flights to resume March 27, 2022 after two years suspension. This is the start of the summer schedule 2022.
• Economic Times reporting “ Global travel shedding Covid baggage as several nations ease restrictions for Indians “. 
• India has once again extended its ban on regular commercial international passenger flights – until further orders – as per a circular dated February 28, 2022 issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Flights under air bubble arrangements and international cargo flights will continue.
• On February 28, 2022 , the Indian government updated its “ List of Countries/Regions in respect of which primary vaccination schedule completion certificate is allowed to be uploaded ” on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website: see document here . There are 88 countries now on this list . (The Union health ministry has removed the at-risk categorization of countries.) 
• India and Thailand have finalized an air bubble arrangement, bringing the total number of such bilateral flight agreements to 37. Airline carriers between India and Thailand will begin operating flights starting in March, which will be subject to approval from the government. Thai Airways will commence flights between India and Thailand starting March 1 under this air bubble. Travelers should note the health protocols and the respective schedules of approved flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Bangkok. Meanwhile, on February 25, SpiceJet announced it will launch six new international flights to Bangkok, commencing from March 10 in a phased manner. SpiceJet plans to launch flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata with Bangkok. India reportedly has plans to reopen its regular international travel from March 15, but this is still a tentative date.
• Singapore, UAE, and Kuwait have updated their travel guidelines and COVID-prevention protocols for travelers from India. See here to know more.
• The Airport Authority of India has updated its state-wise guidelines for arriving passengers – by region. The PDF links may be accessed here: COVID Guidelines India Northern Region 14-02-2022 COVID Guidelines India Western Region 21.02.2022 COVID Guidelines India Southern Region 22-02-20212 COVID Guidelines India Eastern Region 18-02-2022 COVID Guidelines India North East Region 17-02-2022
• Dubai ends rapid RT-PCR rules for Indian travelers. Under the new rules , travelers from India have to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued by an approved health service provider and generated 48 hours before scheduled departure of the flight. Passengers will undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers will be expected to follow rules governing entry at their final destination.
• It is being reported in The Economic Times that the aviation ministry has requested approval from the health ministry to allow resumption of international flights from mid-March. Reason cited by unnamed government source is that domestic traffic has rebounded.
• The government has removed restrictions on the number of flights that can be operated between India and Ukraine under their bilateral air bubble arrangement to facilitate travel of Indians from the eastern European country. India has advised its citizens to temporarily leave Ukraine amid its deteriorating relations with Russia.
• Indian media are reporting that the government is soon to make a decision on whether regular international flights can resume in the summer (March/April). It is being reported by The Economic Times that the aviation ministry has set an internal target of resuming international flight services once domestic airlines capacity touches 80% of pre-COVID flights. (Domestic airlines operated over 2,800 flights before the pandemic struck in 2020; as of February 13, they operated 2,058 flights. To reach the 80% mark, this number has to exceed 2,200.)
• No testing or mandatory quarantine required for international travelers from February 14, 2022: On February 10, India revised guidelines for international arrivals, which will come into effect February 14, 2022 (Monday, 00.01 Hrs IST). The new guidelines remove the category of ‘at risk’ countries and has scrapped the seven-day mandatory quarantine. Instead, India’s health authorities recommend self-monitoring of 14 days for symptoms . The Union Health Ministry stated that there is “need to monitor the continuously changing” COVID-19 virus but accepted that “economic activities need to be taken up in an unhindered manner”. As per the latest guidelines, all foreign arrivals have to fill a self-declaration form online (Air Suvidha web portal), including a travel history of the past 14 days. They must also upload a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the departure date. Alternatively, they can upload a certificate confirming that they are fully vaccinated. This alternative option is only available for passengers arriving from the 72 countries whose vaccination program are recognized by the Indian government. They include Canada, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Bahrain, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, and some European countries. See here for the official notification on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare portal.
• Australia will reopen its borders for international tourists from February 21 , subject to conditions. The move comes after almost two years of pandemic-linked travel restrictions. Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while making the announcement: “The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it.” However, travelers to Australia should note the state-wise rules and restrictions.
• Vietnam reported to reopen for tourism, welcome foreign travelers from March 15, 2022. See here for information pertaining to travel to Vietnam .
• On February 5, Bali reopened its borders for international travelers and resumed direct international flights. See here for information on travel to Indonesia .
• On February 4, the state of Kerala released revised guidelines for international travelers. ( See here for the official notification by the Kerala government.) Any international traveler coming to Kerala, irrespective of their duration of stay, must undergo symptom surveillance. If they are found symptomatic, they must undertake an RT-PCR test at cost at the airport and take further action as per the test results. The revised rules advise home quarantine for international travelers who do not show symptoms; they must self-monitor their health for 7 days from the date of arrival and undergo testing if they develop symptoms. Rapid Antigen Test is advised on the 8th day after arrival. There will be random testing of 2% of international travelers on the flight, irrespective of the country of departure, and the costs will be borne by the Kerala state government. 
• Singapore Airlines has restarted the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) with India. VTL flights allow quarantine-free travel into Singapore. There are VTL flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai into Singapore. (Singapore has also restarted its vaccinated travel lane with Malaysia.) Passengers should note that there are limited flights and reduced seat quota on these routes.
• The West Bengal state government announced on January 31, that it is rolling back its ban on all international direct flights coming from the United Kingdom to Kolkata.
• Indians who are fully vaccinated can reportedly travel to these seven countries: UK, Thailand, Singapore, Cyprus, Vietnam, Israel, and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.
• Canada has relaxed COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers from India, starting January 28, 2022. People traveling on direct flights or on a one-stop flight from India do not have to show a negative RT-PCR test done at the Delhi airport within 18 hours of their departure. However, Canada still requires travelers from India to show an RT-PCR test report from an ICMR-approved lab . Fully vaccinated travelers must upload their relevant details onto the ArriveCAN app or website. 
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs – Guidelines for International Arrivals – Quick Access to Documents: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf 
• India has extended the ban on scheduled international commercial flights to 23:59 February 28, 2022: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This ban does not apply to international all-cargo operations and the DGCA-approved flights. The notification was released by the DGCA on January 19, 2022.
• Hong Kong bars flights from India, U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Pakistan, and Philippines over Omicron fears, reports The Hindu (Jan.5, 2022).
• Countries reported to be requiring mandatory vaccine booster shots for travelers include Kuwait, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Austria, Greece, and Israel. 
• Gulf News is reporting that India is currently making a “day to day” assessment on the resumption of normal international flights. “One has to balance the concerns of public safety and travel,” said Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, Government of India. “We will take very expeditious action as and when things improve and the assessment is carried out. I’m hopeful that [full] international travel will resume soon.”
• Starting January 1, 2022, India’s air bubble arrangement with Saudi Arabia will be in effect. 
• India has reached an air bubble agreement with Australia. According to reporting from Livemint : “Australian airline Qantas has recently started flights between Sydney and New Delhi. The airline is also set to start flights between New Delhi and Melbourne before Christmas. Air India also operated direct commercial flights connecting New Delhi with Melbourne and Sydney before scheduled international flights were suspended by the Indian government. Air India flights between India and Australia will resume in coming days, said a senior official with the airline.”
• As of December 7, 2021 , India’s Civil Aviation and Health Ministry has made contactless self-declaration at Air Suvidha Portal mandatory for purpose of contact tracing. Exemption forms from the Air Suvidha portal has been discontinued. All international passengers arriving in India must fill in all the details.
• 108 countries recognize India’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate for travel purpose as per data available on December 6, 2021 .

Commercial international flights were suspended in India since March 25, 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Travel restrictions have begun to be gradually relaxed from October 2021.

Below we highlight the latest guidelines for international travel to and from India.

Latest updates

Status of india’s international air operations.

• On March 8, an order from the government confirmed resumption of regular international flights from March 27, 2022 . “After being recognized the increase of vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from March 27, 2022, ie [that is] start of the summer schedule 2022,” said the order. India had suspended international flights for the first time in March 2020 and began operating air bubble arrangements since July 2020. 
• As of February 28, 2022, India has extended its suspension of scheduled international flights “till further orders”. 
• India rolled back its intention to resume normal international flight schedules from December due to the emergence of the Omicron COVID variant. On December 9, 2021, the civil aviation regulator announced announced the postponement of international scheduled commercial flights till February 28, 2022. Air bubble and evacuation flights schedules, approved flights, and air cargo will function.

India releases periodic guidelines for international passengers coming into India based on the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergence of regional variants and their threat assessment. The latest travel guidelines for international arrivals to India were released on February 10, 2022 (and supersede previous notifications): https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf

• The Air Suvidha portal for submission of Self Declaration Form, which is mandatory: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration 

For evacuation flight schedule Phase 14 (October 1, 2021 to March 26, 2022), see Air India Vande Bharat Mission here (download PDF): https://www.airindia.in/images/pdf/VBM-schedule-dtd-30sep2021-PHASE14.pdf . The evacuation mission has been in place since May 7, 2020. For destinations operated under air bubble arrangement Phase 13 ( September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021), click here for PDF download .

• As of April 15, 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restored electronic visa (e-visa) facility for foreigners from 156 countries. The e-visa facility is applicable for international tourists who wish to visit India for conferences, medical purposes, or business. The e-visa also extends to medical attendants.

Air Transport Bubbles

India has also established “Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements”, which are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.

The details of such arrangements were last updated in February 2022.

India now has 37 air bubble arrangements in place: Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, and Uzbekistan.

More details can be seen on the government website here: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles 

• Full service carrier Vistara has started non-stop flight services to Paris from Delhi under the air bubble agreement between India and Europe, according to reporting from The Economic Times . Under the air bubble pact, Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 (Dreamliner) aircraft will fly twice a week between Delhi and Paris – on Wednesday and Sunday. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, and Male are the other international destinations covered by Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
• The US will be lifting travel restrictions on foreign countries from November 8, Monday. Travelers must show proof of vaccination (WHO-approved vaccines); unvaccinated minors will be subject to testing requirements; and all travelers will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before departure to the US. See here for Reuters coverage of the changing rules.
• Air India will offer non-stop flights between Delhi and Sydney starting November 15, 2021. Air India will operate the thrice-a-week service on the Delhi-Sydney-Delhi route under the Vande Bharat Mission. Australia has also formally recognized Covaxin, India’s COVID-19 vaccine.
• India’s new visa norms stipulate that visas will be granted to foreigners only if they use water and air routes, not land routes. The Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the gradual resumption of international travel to start from October 15, 2021 and tourist and e-visas will be issued for only a single entry per month. From November 15, all individual foreign nationals (on fresh tourist visas) will be allowed to enter India after observing prevailing COVID-19 protocols as notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. 
• The Union Home Ministry announced on Thursday that India will allow foreign tourists traveling by chartered flights (Vande Bharat and air bubble flights) from October 15, rest from November 15, 2021. Foreigner tourists will be allowed to come in on non-charter flights from November 15 unless the extended restrictions on scheduled flights is substantially lifted. See the Home Ministry’s press briefing here  and reporting by the Economic Times here .
• The Hindustan Times reporting on October 2 : “Australia’s visiting trade and tourism minister Dan Tehan said foreign students will be able to start “returning towards the end of this year and the beginning of next year”, ahead of the start of the first semester in February-March 2022. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia listed Covishield and China’s Coronavac (Sinovac) as “recognised vaccines” after an initial assessment of data on protection offered by the two jabs.”
• CoWin, India’s digital platform for COVID-19 vaccination, is allowing travelers to download an international version of their COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which is compliant with WHO’s international travel guidelines. This feature went live on September 30, 2021, and allows fully vaccinated individuals to update their existing photo identity to passport number and date of birth to get their International Travel Certificate. See website: https://www.cowin.gov.in/
• The Indian Bureau of Immigration noted the specific categories of foreign nationals who are permitted to enter India by water routes or by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission, or ‘Air Bubble’ (Bilateral Air Travel Arrangements) Scheme, or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in its notice MHA O.M. No.25022/24/2020-F.V/F.I dated October 21, 2020. See here for reference.
• Air India has said it will run direct services between Muscat and Vijayawada “once a week or thrice from the first week of July”. The Vijayawada International Airport resumed international flights to Gulf destinations, such as Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat in June, to Singapore in April.
• Budget carrier Air India Express will operate a total of 64 flights between Malaysia and India in July under Vande Bharat Mission. More below.
• Foreign nationals who wish to travel to India for medical treatment can apply for a fresh visa under this category and choose one attendant to accompany them as per the visa category provisions (that is, if the original applicant has their medical visa approved).
• On October 8, 2020, India’s civil aviation authority said the future of international flights will depend on the availability of a vaccine, hinting at the extension of air travel bubble arrangements into March-April next year.
• Low-cost carrier SpiceJet announces its new flight operations connecting Delhi and Mumbai with London, starting December 4, which will come under the India-UK air bubble agreement.
• New standard operating protocol announced August 22, 2020 for non-scheduled commercial flights under the repatriation scheme, Vande Bharat Mission, and Air Transport Bubble Agreements.

(Note: This article was originally published on August 4, 2020 and last updated on February 10, 2023.)

India Briefing  is produced by  Dezan Shira & Associates . The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in  Delhi  and  Mumbai . Readers may write to   [email protected]  for business support in India.

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India’s Current Guidelines for International Arrivals from High-risk and Non-risk Countries

The current guidelines for inbound international travelers to India took effect on 1 January 2023 . With six countries having been classified as high-risk, travelers even from non-risk countries are looking to know India’s entry regulations in view of COVID resurgence in some parts of the globe. Currently, China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong have been identified as high-risk countries.  

Are you traveling to India from or through a high-risk country? If yes, you are required to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before your international departure and upload the negative report on the Air Suvidha portal. You will be able to travel only if you are COVID negative. Asymptomatic children under 12 years of age are exempted from pre-departure testing.         

Are you traveling to India from a non-risk country like the United States? If yes, you’re good to travel to India. Neither pre-departure RT-PCR testing nor Air Suvidha applies to your travel on nonstop flights to India from USA , or one/two-stop flights to India with transit in a non-risk country. However, the government of India recommends you should be fully-vaccinated and carry your vaccination proof.

Air Suvidha for International Travel to India

After 40 days of being eliminated with effect from 21 November 2022, the Air Suvidha portal has been reinstated for travelers coming from or transiting in the high-risk countries . Whether you need to fill out an Air Suvidha form online or not, it depends on your travel origin and international transit. Is Air Suvidha mandatory for your US to India travel? Yes if your itinerary has international transit in any of the high-risk countries: Singapore, Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. We recommend checking our Air Suvidha guide for up-to-date information on how to fill out a self-declaration form and what information to provide, if there is high-risk international transit in your itinerary.

Post-arrival procedure at Indian airports

The current post-arrival procedure for international arrivals at Indian airports is much less rigorous than that during the pandemic. All passengers of international flights to India are obligated to undergo a body temperature check (thermal screening) upon arrival, and only 2% of them are subject to post-arrival random COVID-19 testing . If you are in the 2%, your swab samples will be collected for random testing. You can leave the airport or take a connecting flight for onward domestic travel. Only asymptomatic children younger than 12 years are exempted from random testing in India.

‘What if my sample collected for random testing is found positive?’ Your swab sample will be sent for genomic testing at a government-affiliated laboratory. The test result will be communicated to you, and you will have to follow the standard protocol. ‘What if thermal screening detects COVID-19 symptoms in me?’ You will be isolated and tested at a designated medical facility at or outside the airport.

What is India’s post-arrival procedure for travelers from high-risk countries? The aforementioned post-arrival guidelines equally apply to travelers arriving in India from or through the high-risk countries. Besides, their pre-departure RT-PCR test report and the self-declaration form submitted on the Air Suvidha portal will be strictly verified on arrival in India.

Are you looking for cheap flight tickets for USA-India round trips this spring or summer? Indian Eagle has the best fare deals from Air India and other major airlines. You can conveniently book your travel online or call us at 01-800-615-3969 (24/7). 

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114 thoughts on “ india’s current guidelines for international arrivals from high-risk and non-risk countries ”.

I have a Visa that expires in 2027.. Will I be able to fly into India from the U.S. with this visa? How long am I able to stay? I have a family there that I stay with each time I come… I am vaccinated with Moderna. I need to know what I have to do to come for a visit with them…

Hi Team I will be travelling from Sharjah to Mumbai as final destination next week do I need to under go PCR test on arrival? As per above article UAE is exempted from pcr on Arrival can you please clarify my dought

Hi Maria! Mumbai Airport does still follows the guidelines issued by the government of Maharashtra earlier. Therefore, you will have to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival and undergo 14-day home quarantine.

Do you have information if passengers (from countries at risk) still after 25th October have to wait for the result of the PCR test before being allowed to take a connecting flight.

Hi Swati! In our knowledge, travelers from the countries at risk don’t have to wait for the result of the test taken on arrival.

When is India going to address the issue of people who already have multi-entry visas… My visa don’t expire til 2027.. AM I going to be able to use this visa to come to India in December 2021? India needs to put out clear instructions as to what we are suppose to do to come for visit. I AM Vaccinated and just got my 3rd shot (a booster) I am USA Citizen. I need to know what to do… I would be flying from USA to Delhi

I found this on the Consulate of General India (this is the consulate in Houston, Texas)

The Government of India has decided to issue fresh tourist visas with effect from 15 October, 2021 for group tourism and from 15 November, 2021 for individual tourist travel. It may be noted that existing valid e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa, issued before 6 October 2021, will continue to remain suspended and travel on such visas is not permitted. Since individual travel on fresh tourist visa is allowed only from 15 November, applicants are advised not to send their application to the Consulate before 10 November, 2021. A Single Entry e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa valid for a stay of up to 30 days will be issued, which will have to be utilized within a period of 120 days from the date of issue. This visa will be issued on a gratis basis for a limited time once to each applicant. It may be noted that existing valid e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa issued before 6 October, 2021 will continue to remain suspended and travel on such visas is not permitted.

Traveling from US to india via Middle East, do we still need to take a PCR test in Middle East to enter india? And there is no quarantine required for travelers from US right? One test taken in US prior to boarding and uploading in india’s air suvidha website is enough? Can you please confirm?

Hi Juliana! No test to be taken in the Middle East. If Mumbai Airport is your port of entry, you will have to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival in spite of the test you will take in the US.

For travelling in November from US to Mumbai via Dubai, does one need to undergo institutional quarantine if partially / not vaccinated? Are they still to conduct COVID tests after arrival despite of having negative RTPCR? Does Dubai halt add to the complication?

Hi Abee! There is no institutional quarantine in India. For travelers from the US, vaccination is still not a mandatory requirement for entry to India. As per Maharashtra’s guidelines, you need to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival at Mumbai Airport.

My wife and 11 month old are travelling November 2nd. I am travelling with my 5 year old on November 18. Do we all need to take a covid test. Myself and my wife are vaccinated in USA. Myself and my wife are green card holders and our kids are US citizens.

Hi Manikandan! Everyone traveling to India, irrespective of their age, citizenship and travel origin, has to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure.

HI, Thank you for patiently answering everyone’s questions on these confusing directives from India.

I am thinking of traveling from US to Dubai to Chennai in November. Do I have to take a Covid test upon arrival? Is there minimum stay required in India? What are the quarantine requirement in Tamil Nadu? If one is fully vaccinated, does it make it easier in terms of quarantine requirements?

Hi Resnick! As per India’s revised guidelines for travelers from abroad, bot the US and Dubai are outside the government’s list of countries at risk. On submission of a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha, you will receive a copy of the filled form to the registered email ID. If it shows a green strip, you don’t need to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival at Chennai Airport. There is no minimum stay requirement. No quarantine for asymptomatic travelers from the US.

It looks like my actual itenary will be US – Athens – dubai to chennai.

Does it change anything?

Hi Resnick! You have higher chances of being exempted from taking a test on arrival.

Does Chennai airport require TN Epass requirement?

Hi, I am Pravin, will travel from Toronto with Negative RT-PCR test on 12th November to Ahmedabad via Abu Dhabi transit. Will I need to under go RT-PCR test at Ahmedabad being my final destination?

Hi Pravin! As per the revised guidelines that took effect on OCT 25, you are not required to take a test on arrival. Please note the local rules of the state may be different from the revised guidelines.

I have a qatar airways flight from US to India with transit in doha. They just cancelled my flight. Do we know why are they doing this and what should I do? I need to be in India by next week and the reschedule options are crazy expensive.

Hi Anurag! The flight might have been cancelled due to low occupancy. If you are a customer of IndianEagle.com, please call our customer support helpline.

I am US citizen and need to travel to India on Nov 15. Can I apply for Indian e tourist visa and travel? or is the travel not allowed on visitor visa

Hi Gaurav! You can apply for a fresh tourist visa for travel on or after NOV 15.

Hello IndianEagle team, thanks for sharing the guidance, much appreciated!

I am planning to travel from US to Delhi via Amsterdam (Netherlands). Would I be required to take RT-PCR test upon arrival on Delhi airport? If so, can I exit after giving the sample, or will have to wait till a negative result arrives? My domestic flight departs around four hours after I arrive (both are on Terminal-3). It seems I’ll miss the flight if I’ll be required to wait till the negative result arrives. Looking forward to your guidance.

Thank you in advance!

Hi Mustafa! If you’re asymptomatic, you have higher chances of being exempted from taking a test on arrival at Delhi Airport. In case you are required to undergo a test, you won’t have to wait for the test result. So, no worries.

Hi IndiaEagle team,

I have a flight from USA to Bangalore with one stop layover of 8 hrs in Dubai. Further i have a domestic connecting flight to Hyderabad after 4 hours in Bangalore airport. I am fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine.

I will be taking the RT PCR test within 72 hours of travel and upload on Air Suvidha.

I) Do I need to take any on arrival RT PCR test in Bangalore airport? Ii) will I be allowed to connect to the domestic flight to Hyderabad without any issues or testing requirements at Bangalore airport? iii) Is there any testing requirement on arriving in Hyderabad from Bangalore.?

Hi Siddharth! As per the revised guidelines, travelers arriving or transiting through the Middle East are not required to take a test on arrival if they are asymptomatic. No testing requirement at Hyderabad too.

Hi, We are planning to travel from US to Chennai on December 4th. We are a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 young kids aged 9 and 14. Just would like to confirm current requirements. 1. Need to upload RT-PCR negative report which is taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Interms of calculating the 72 hours, my domestic flight boarding starts on Dec 4th at 1:36PM but my first international connection at Chicago is at 6PM

Question is, if we take the RT-PCR test at 2PM on December 1st would that be okay and then upload the results as soon as it arrives?

2. We are reading about the Tamil Nadu e-Pass, When should we need to fill out the e-pass, can we go ahead do that now and get that out of the way

3. We are transiting through Abu Dhabi, are we subject to on arrival RT-PCR test at Chennai?

Thanks for you help

Hi Viswanathan! As per India’s revised guidelines, you are not subject to a post-arrival RT-PCR test if you are asymptomatic. You can register for a TN e-pass within 7 days prior to your scheduled departure. If your itinerary starting from the first domestic airport to the final destination has only one PNR, you should take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel from the first domestic airport in the US.

Thank you for the clarification . Much appreciated

I’m a US citizen with OCI. I’m planning to travel to Hyd at the end of December. I’m not sure why there are few options available now to book. I see a couple of flight options with reasonable prices. One is flying from SFO to Istanbul to Muscat to Hyderabad. Another is via Doha-Colombo-Hyd. Are these flights part of air bubble to agreement to land in India or will they cancel them eventually? Any special requirements (additional covid tests etc.) for travel through Istanbul? Thank you.

Hi Krishna! You can choose to travel the route Doha-Colombo-Hyd and book the flight on our portal IndianEagle.com. This is part of the air bubble corridor. You may need a transit visa (ETA) for Colombo.

Hello I am traveling usa to delhi via dubai (emirates)- with my wife and 2 kids {1 year (14 months) and 5 year old.}

I understand we still need the rt-pcr 72 hrs before departing under the new guidelines, but is there option for kids to be exempt using suvidha app?

Also is the molecule test that was mandatory at arrival in the past guidelines because of connecting flight in middle east(dubai) , has that ended? Can we just exit the airport on arrival? Or we still need to get the test?

Hi Sunny! Unfortunately, kids are not exempted from taking an RT-PCR test prior to traveling from the US. A post-arrival test is no more required for international travelers arriving from the US and transiting via the Middle East as per the revised guidelines if all of you are found asymptomatic on arrival at Delhi Airport.

hi do I need e pass travel from uk to Bangalore

Hi Thomas! You must register on https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/Sevasindhu/English for a travel pass.

Hi, my parents and I are traveling in november from boston to mumbia via british airways, so it has a layover in heathrow. We are all vaccinated and will comply with air suvidha rules. Will we need to be re tested in mumbai at arrival? or quarantine at the airport? i have elderly, that is why i am concerned.

Hi Mahebub! If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening, you don’t need to take a post-arrival test at Mumbai Airport and undergo any sort of quarantine.

Hi, This is not clear what are rules for UK fully vaccinated arrival & what about kids ? Article says UK is in list of Risk & Category A both. I am travelling in December from UK to Mumbai then Ahmedabad. Do we have to take tests at mumbai airport? Thanks

Hi Pragnesh! Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK, Germany and France are exempted from additional testing and quarantine in India. Make sure to upload your vaccination certificate and a negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure from the UK.

Thanks for reply Indianeagle. We are planning to take test for all of us & have vaccine certificate for us. For kids only negative test is sufficient?

Hi Pragnesh! A negative RT-PCR test report is sufficient for kids traveling to India. FYI, kids below 5 years of age are exempted from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival in India.

Hello. I will be traveling on November 18 th from USA to Bangalore via Paris . I am taking delta airlines . Do I need to get the RTPCR test done once I arrive at Bangalore

Hi Ranjani! Not required if you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at BLR Airport.

Hi there, If I want to travel for one week from USA to India, Is that a possibility? I notice 14 days self-monitoring for now. What is the rule if my trip s 7 days or less than 14 days. Thank you

Hi Mani! Self-monitoring of health is unlike home-quarantine. If you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, you are exempted from any sort of quarantine in India. So, you can travel back in a week of arrival.

Hi IndianEagle

I have trip which has been planned for over a year and all the changes are confusing, could you clarify a few areas please. Myself and my wife are flying from UK to Bangalore, with a 7 hour layover to then transit on to Sri Lanka. We are both fully vaccinated and will have taken a PCR test 72 hours prior to leaving the UK. I have two issues currently with our planning 1. Issues regarding getting an e-Visa to travel, are these likely to be available again for UK residents soon or do we need to travel to an Indian High Commission in UK for paper visas? 2. Being fully vaccinated would we need a PCR/molecular test when arriving in Bangalore? If so do we need to await the 6-8 hours as stated or is this superseded by the Pct 25th update?

Hi Whisker! The UK citizens are currently barred from availing an e-tourist visa to India. But they can seek an Indian transit visa through the e-visa facility. Please be advised to go through https://www.evisasindia.org/transit-visa-for-india-guide/ . Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK are exempted from additional testing on arrival in India if they are found asymptomatic during thermal screening.

Hi, I am travelling from UK to Chennai on December 2021, do I need to take a swab test in airport after arrival and home quarantine? I am fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination. Where do I apply for the TN e-pass? I will complete the Air Suvidha form and upload a negative RT-PCR test. Is there anything else I need to do? Thank you very much.

Hi Kunal! Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK are exempted from additional testing and quarantine in India. Make sure to upload your vaccination proof and a negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha. https://tnepass.tnega.org/ is where you can apply for a TN e-pass.

HI can i carry printed documents like my proof of vaccine and PVR test result instead of downloading on air suvidha app, i am really struggling to download documents.

Hi Ashalata! You are not supposed to download documents from Air Suvidha. Rather, you are required to upload your vaccination proof and a negative RT-PCR report on Air Suvidha, which you will find on the website of Delhi Airport. You must upload and carry these documents.

Hello.. What are rules as recovered Covid19 ? I hold a certificate from EU saying i recovered from Covid19 (immunity certificate) – can i enter with this ?

Hi Jesper! Despite having the recovery certificate, you need to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel to India. If you are fully-vaccinated, you won’t face any sort of quarantine in India.

Hi, I will be traveling from US to Mumbai and then to Coimbatore in December with one PNR. I have layover in Mumbai for 8 hrs. My domestic flight to Coimbatore will be more than 72 hrs of RT-PCR test. Do i need to take new RT-PCR test in Mumbai to travel to Coimbatore?

Hi Swetha! The 72 hours of the RT-PCR test is not linked to your domestic flight to Coimbatore. It is counted prior to your scheduled departure on an international flight. So, no worries.

Hi, we are flying on AA flight of JFK to Delhi next week for two vaccinated parents with a unvaccinated 4 year child. We are to stay in a hotel near the Delhi Airport then take flight to Kolkata following day. All 3 of us hold oci.

I’ve noticed on latest guidelines document of 7 day home quarantine for unvaccinated minors. Would you know if this will cause trouble in Delhi with planned one night hotel stay then onward domestic flight on next day? Or can this home quarantine be avoided by having her do the pcr test before leaving even when not required? Thanks

Hi Vijay! FYI, asymptomatic kids below 5 years of age are exempted from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival in India, irrespective whether they are vaccinated or not. In our knowledge, unvaccinated minors are not subject to home-quarantine in India if they are asymptomatic.

Thanks. Also I later found this flow chart on India’s Ministry of Affairs website which cleared out confusion as well, it clearly shows that the quarantine requirement is only if you are from a “country at risk”. Moreover it seems to show that they dont care for vaccination status at all if your not from a “country at risk” so from USA/Canada no requirement but it does matter from Europe, UK, etc which are on the list:

https://mea.gov.in/Images/french/Algorithmforrevis.pdf

Hello Indian Eagle , What are rules as recovered Covid19 ? I hold a recovery letter from my medical provider saying I recovered from Covid19, can I enter with this ? and in spite of that, If I need to take test 72 hours within my departure and If I come out to be positive than, what will be the scenario?

Hi Jay! If you’re traveling to India from abroad, it is mandatory to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel to India.

Hi, I am travelling from NewYork – Franfurt – Bengaluru on Dec 23rd. As per the new guidelines , do i need to take a self paid PCR test at BLR and wait for results before leaving the airport, even though i am fully vaccinated and provide RT-PCT negative at the time of boarding?

Hi Sella! As of now, the state government of Karnataka has made post-arrival RT-PCR testing mandatory for travelers arriving from or through South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong. Your travel is still three weeks away. We will keep sharing latest updates on our Twitter page.

Hey great article! Thank you for the info. For those not fully vaccinated what is the quarantine requirement? does it have to happen in a special hotel? What if I don’t have a home to do it in? Thanks!

Hi Trina! Those not fully vaccinated are subjected to a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival in India. If they are found negative, they will undergo 7-day home quarantine in their final destination. Institutional quarantine applies only if the result is positive. In case of having no residence, you can home-quarantine yourself at a hotel.

I am traveling WAS-FRA-DEL-BHO on the 5th of December. Am I required to take RT-PCR in Delhi and wait for the results before boarding connecting flight? Are the RAPID PCR test accepted in this case? Also, will we have to quarantine for 7 days after reaching destination. FWIW, we are fullly vaccinated.

Hi Sachin! Usually, fully-vaccinated travelers from the US are exempt from post-arrival COVID-19 testing, except at Mumbai Airport. But, only 2% of total passengers of a flight arriving from the US will be tested randomly on arrival at other airports in India. If you fall in 2%, you will have to give your swab sample for a non-payable RT-PCR test at Delhi Airport. If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at Delhi Airport, you will be allowed to take the connecting flight after giving your swab sample. No quarantine. You shall only self-monitor your health for 14 days.

Hi, Thanks for the article. I wanted to make sure the rules are updated as of Nov 30, 2021. I am fully vaccinated and I have a direct flight from USA to Delhi. Do I have to undergo 7 day quarantine?

Can you please clarify?

Hi Achal! If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at Delhi Airport, you will be given exemption from home-quarantine. You will only have to self-monitor your health for 14 days post arrival.

Thanks a bunch for your updates on the covid protocol. I am fully vaccinated traveling on Dec 2nd from SF to Delhi and connecting to Bangalore after a 5 hour layover. As per the new guidelines issued by Karnataka yesterday, do I still need to take a RT-PCR test on arrival at BLR and quarantine for 7 days even though I am fully vaccinated?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi Alex! Usually, fully-vaccinated travelers from the US are exempt from post-arrival COVID-19 testing, except at Mumbai Airport. But, only 2% of total passengers of a flight arriving from the US will be tested randomly on arrival at other airports in India. If you fall in 2%, you will have to give your swab sample for a non-payable RT-PCR test at Delhi Airport. If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at BLR Airport, no additional testing and quarantine. You shall only self-monitor your health for 14 days.

Sorry but this is confusing. You indicate her that US travelers to Mumbai will require a PCR test on arrival. But in reply to another question below, you say that vaccinated travelers are exempt from arrival PCR testing in Mumbai. So the 2% applies to Mumbai or is it true only for other airports? Thanks!

Hi John! Initially, Maharashtra made post-arrival testing mandatory for everyone traveling to Mumbai from abroad. With effect from December 2, 2021, this regulation has been revoked for fully-vaccinated travelers arriving from countries not at risk. 2% of the total passengers of every flight from a country not at risk will be randomly tested at any entry airport in India.

I am traveling on Saturday Dec 4. My itinerary is: Greensboro NC to LaGuardia to Montreal on American Airlines, then from Montreal to Doha to Cochin on Qatar Airways.

I was told I need an RT PCR test 72 hours before my trip. I have been receiving conflicting information: do I calculate 72 hours from the start of my domestic flight from Greensboro to LaGuardia, from the flight from LaGuardia to Montreal (my first international flight, or from Montreal to Doha?

Hi Promod! You need to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure on an international flight from the US and that is LaGuardia to Montreal.

If my flight is connecting through Amsterdam, but my origin is US, do I have to do the 7 day quarantine?

Hi Kayal! If you are fully-vaccinated and if you are found asymptomatic in thermal screening on arrival, you will be allowed to go home and self-monitor your health for 14 days post arrival. Please note Mumbai/Pune is your first port of entry in India, the rules are different.

Hi, I’m travelling from Frankfurt to Bangalore on 10th Dec. I have connecting flight to Mangalore with 6 Hour Transit time. Since I have to wait for RTPCR test result, is the 6Hr. transit time is enough? Is it recommended to take appointment for rtpcr testing? What are the quarantine rules for travelers from Germany in Karnataka?

Thank you !

Hi Suman! If you choose to take a rapid RT-PCR test on arrival at BLR Airport, then 6-hr layover is sufficient. FYI, a rapid RT-PCR test costs approximately Rs. 5000 per person and the result is available in 1-2 hours. You can pre-book the test online. If you test negative, no institutional quarantine. Only 7-day home quarantine.

Hi, I have booked a flight in etihad airways from USA to Abu Dhabi to Bangalore in Dec last week. I’m an Indian passport holder living in USA. will it be a problem? Is India allowing passengers from Abu Dhabi originated from USA? as per the India Air bubble agreement, it says below ( https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles ) Only Passengers originating from UAE or any country in South America or Africa should be allowed to travel on flights from UAE to India.

Hi Vinay! You can travel on Etihad Airways from USA to India. We booked Etihad flights for many of our customers and they traveled to their destinations in India hassle-free.

Hi traveling from UK to India via Kuwait (transit time 3 hrs) and arriving airport is Hyderabad Dec 16. I see you mention we can prebook RT-pcr test online. Where can we boom for it? Any website? If there is a website is it same for all airports in India? Or respective airport have their own website to book online? If so what is the website to pre-book online test at Hyderabad airport

Hi, I have booked a flight with Virgin Atlantic flight from New York to Delhi via London. I am fully vaccinated and will upload the pre-departure negative Covid test. I won’t be stepping out of the international transit passenger zone in London. Will I need to take an on arrival test? Thanks.

Hi Siddharth! As per the clarification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, you are exempted from mandatory post-arrival testing if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. But only 2% of the total passengers of every flight from a country not at risk, such as the US, will be tested randomly.

Going Newark to Mumbai nonstop on Dec 17. Fully vaccinated. With the new rules now following omicron, will we have a mandatory 7 day home quarantine in Mumbai. Alternately, if we choose to fly to Chennai – either right after Mumbai arrival, or after 3 days at home in Mumbai, can we do that? Or will the 7 day quarantine come in the way if we leave Mumbai airport? We heard that there are exceptions for short stays. Appreciate any advice, thank you.

Hi, I am going to Bengaluru from San Francisco with a transit stop in Dubai on Dec 25. Layover at Dubai is about 27 hours. I plan to visit dubai during this time. I am an indian passport holder with US green card. I will complete and upload RT-PCR test results to air suvidha 72 hours before departure at SFO. Do I still need to take the covid test on arrival on Bengaluru as I stayed in dubai for more than a day? Thanks

Hi Sunil! The UAE is not yet among the countries that the government of India has identified as countries at risk. Hence, in our knowledge, you may not be needed to take a test on arrival at BLR airport if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. FYI, only 2% of the total passengers of a flight from a country not at risk will be tested randomly on arrival at any airport in India. If you’re identified for random testing, you can leave the airport or take a connecting domestic flight after giving your swab sample.

Hi, I have a domestic flight which starts at Noon and then international flight from JFK to DOH to AMD. Flight from JFK starts 9.30pm. When do i need to schedule my RT-PCR test? Within 72 hrs of my first leg of the journey which starts at Noon? Or within 72 hrs of my international flight from JFK which starts at 9.30pm?

Hi Tarang! You can take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your international flight from JFK.

So even if i have single ticket (same PNR), i need to calculate 72 hrs from the start of international flight and not the first domestic leg?

I am getting my pcr test done before travelling fro usa to mumbai Is this test same as Rtpcr.

Hi Ruchi! It may be the same. Make sure that the negative report must mention RT-PCR.

Hi Are OCI card holder travellers from US to Mumbai transiting through London, UK subject to 7 day home quarantine ?

We are not changing airport in London – will be in the airside all the time (5 hour transit)

Hi Krish! If you are fully-vaccinated, COVID negative and asymptomatic, you are exempt to home-quarantine in India.

Hi, I am going to Hyderabad from Los Angeles via Doha on Dec 28. The layover at Doha is about 17 hours. I am an Indian passport holder with H1B. I will complete and upload RT-PCR test results to air suvidha 72 hours before departure at LAX. Here are my questions:

– Do I have to get a Covid Test in Doha again? – Do I still need to take the on-arrival Covid Test at Hyderabad airport?

Hi Sameera! In our knowledge, taking a test is not mandatory during transit/layover at Doha Airport if you don’t leave the immigration area/transit area. Both the US and Qatar being not in the risk category, you are exempt to mandatory post-arrival testing. But if you are found symptomatic in thermal screening, if you are unvaccinated/partially vaccinated, or if you are identified among the 2% of total passengers arriving from a country not at risk (for random testing), your swab sample will be collected for a test before you leave the airport.

Hi I am flying to Mumbai from Australia next week with a layover of 5 hours in Sri Lanka. I am fully vaccinated but my daughter who is 9 years old is unvaccinated. We both will get tested within 72 hours prior to flying. Does my daughter need to get tested again on arrival at Mumbai Airport? If yes do I have to book an appointment in advance and will she have to be quarantined at home even if RTPCR is negative. Thanks

Hi Usha! Pre-booking a post-arrival test is mandatory for travelers from countries at risk. Neither Australia nor Sri Lanka is in the risk category. If you (though vaccinated) or your daughter is found symptomatic in thermal screening on arrival, a test will be conducted.

Hi, My cousin tested positive for covid 3 days back. His 14 days isolation period ends on Dec 31st . When can he fly from Toronto to New Delhi via Air Canada. Also, does he need to get a travel RT PCR test ?. My understanding, it will come positive regardless ,for several weeks. Kindly clarify. Thanks

Hi Ranu! As per the government of India’s guidelines, you must have a negative RT-PCR test report to travel to India.

Hello Indianeagle,

Thanks for this amazing site which is providing more information than airline website.

I have upcoming travel from US to India on Dec 30 2021 via London British airways and return trip from India to USA via London on Jan 3rd week of 2022 by British Airways.

We are green card holder with full vaccinated and having Indian passport holder, will outbound travel from India to U.S via London is Allowed or Not . Please do let us know on recent travel policy .

Hi Kumar! Outbound travel from India to the US via London is allowed for Indian passport holders. May we know the flight number (s) in your itinerary from India to the US?

Thanks for your reply. Here is the details:::

Onward travel from US to India via London- Last week of Dec 2021 BA192 (Dallas to London) and BA 119 (London to Bangalore)

Outbound travel from India to US (via London) – 3rd week of Jan,2022 Bangalore to London (BA 118) and London to Phoenix (BA 289).

I had booked my flight with American airlines, where they say as on date, I am eligible to travel from India to US via London, where British airways website says I can’t travel Outbound travel from India to U.S via London.

Not sure, which airlines is correct here….Please do let us know, whether we can make round trip from US to India (via london) being a Green card holder and fully vaccinated.

However, when we check with British Airways website & spoke to their Customer service team as part of Entry Additional Requirement, it was told to us by British Airways team and their website info that we are NOT eligible to travel (Indian Citizen -Out bound Travel from India). https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/incident/coronavirus/entry-requirements

——-Below Details from British Airways as Additional Requirement which states we are NOT ELIGIBLE—————————————————————————

India Travel eligibility Only customers meeting the criteria below, can travel between India and the UK on a British Airways flight. Please make sure you qualify before travel: Outbound flights from India: You must check if you are eligible to travel from India. You will not be allowed to board your flight if you do not meet these requirements. Indian nationals Due to India’s air travel agreement with the UK, please be aware that Indian nationals can only travel with British Airways from India to the UK, Ireland and Cayman Islands and must hold a valid visa. India nationals, regardless of foreign residency status, are not allowed to travel further to any other countries, unless their spouse is a foreign national or they are a seaman travelling with authorised documentation from the Ministry of Shipping.

Also not sure whether British airways -Covid19 information as Additional requirement is updated as on date or it is old info where BA website needs to update.

Hi Kumar! American Airlines and British Airways are codeshare partners. In our knowledge, you can travel from India on flights ticketed by American Airlines, though operated by BA.

I have an upcoming travel in January from USA to Mumbai with transit in Amsterdam. What are the current rules for testing upon arrival and home quarantine for transiting through Amsterdam (Netherlands) which in I believe a At risk country. We are fully vaccinated traveling with a 4 year old.

Hi Jay! As of today, fully-vaccinated, COVID-negative and asymptomatic travelers arriving from the US and transiting in Europe (without leaving the immigration area of the transit airport in a country at risk) are not bound to post-arrival testing and home-quarantine. Please note the regulations may be revised any time given the volatile scenario.

Hi IndianEagle, US citizen, fully vaccinated and Boosted (3 vaccine doses) traveling to Mumbai via Dubai (transit only, 3 hour connection time) in Mid January 2022. Upon arrival in Mumbai , will be going to Pune via private car. Final destination is Pune. Am I subject to mandatory 7-day home quarantine rule upon reaching Pune? Thanks,

Hi Vee Kay! 7-day home quarantine is mandatory for only those final destination is Mumbai. So, those traveling to Pune may not face home-quarantine if they are asymptomatic.

Thanks IndianEagle, However, I would be subjected to home quarantine in Mumbai, if I get out of the airport, right?

The guidance from MahaGovt says such passengers will not be allowed to use public transport and the DistrictCollector of Mumbai will arrange the transportation from them. Does that mean private transportation will not be allowed? thanks again for your feedback.

Hi Vee Kay! Private transportation is allowed for road travel from Mumbai Airport to any other part of the state. If you reside or stay in Mumbai, only then you will be subjected to mandatory home-quarantine.

Hello Indian Eagle – Our flight is on Jan 11th and will be travelling with 4 year old and 10 month old. Do they need to have RTPCR test or kids under 5 are exempt? Also when we should we take the covid test and submit Air suvidha ? Wea re planning to take the test on Jan 10th and submit air suvidha on 11th before our flight. Please advise if the form needs to be submitted early.

Hi Priya! As of now, kids under 5 years of age are exempt from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival. Travelers above five years of age are required to take an RT-PCR test, upload the negative report and submit a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha. Make sure to fill out and submit the self declaration form a few hours before your flight. Please note you can provide the details of your kids as co-travelers in the same self-declaration form.

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Indian Customs Declaration Form (With Updated Rules 2023)

The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 25 October 2023.

When travelling to India, you may be required to complete the Indian Customs Declaration Form . This article explains what information is required on the form, and provides some tips on how to complete it accurately.

By following these simple guidelines, travellers can help make sure that their arrival in India goes as smoothly as possible.

Table of Contents

What is a customs declaration form.

In order to help ensure that the country’s customs process runs smoothly, travellers may be required to fill out a customs declaration form. This form will provide officials with information about the traveller and the items they are bringing into the country.

Is the Customs Declaration Form mandatory for all travellers to India?

Since 2016, the Customs Declaration Form is mandatory only for passengers having prohibited or dutiable goods in their possession or goods in excess of their eligible duty-free allowance .

Earlier it was mandatory for all passengers and known as a disembarkation card.

How to Get the Indian Customs Declaration Form

If you are travelling to an Indian airport from outside India, you can request the cabin crew for a Customs Declaration Form. Most airlines will have copies of the form to distribute if needed. In case you don’t get it from your flight, you can get it at the port of entry before the Immigration Counter.

If you have goods above the duty-free limit, make sure to file the correct declaration of your baggage in the Customs Declaration Form and opt for the Red Channel.

Contents of Indian Customs Declaration Form

The Customs Declaration Form asks for the following details:

• Name of the Passenger
• Passport Number
• Nationality
• Date of Arrival
• Number of Baggage (including hand baggage)
• Country from which coming
• Countries visited in the last six days
• The total value of dutiable goods being imported (Rs.)
• Are you bringing the following items into India? (please tick Yes or No)

Prohibited Articles

• Gold jewellery (over Free Allowance)
• Gold Bullion
• Meat and meat products/dairy products/fish/poultry products
• Seeds/plants/seeds/fruits/flowers/other planting material
• Satellite phone
• Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000
• Foreign currency notes exceed US$ 5,000 or equivalent
• The aggregate value of foreign exchange including currency exceeds US$ 10,000 or equivalent.

In case the answer to any of the above questions is ‘Yes’, you have to report to the Customs Officer at the Red Channel counter.

You can read our detailed guide on duty-free allowance for travellers to India .

Indian Customs Declaration Form Sample

Here is the updated sample form, extracted from the CBIC Travellers Guide.

You can download a sample of the Indian Customs Declaration Form in PDF here .

Tips for filling up the Customs Declaration Form

Before filling out the form, read the instructions on the form. Make sure you are aware of the prohibited goods and duty-free allowance.

It is important to be as accurate and detailed as possible when filling out the form, as providing false or incomplete information can result in delays or other problems. It is a legal offence not to declare dutiable items.

Visitors are also required to declare if they are carrying any currency in excess of the allowed limits. Here is our guide on currency limits while travelling to India .

What to do with the Customs Declaration Form

While exiting the airport terminal you have to go through the Red Channel. At the exit give the form to the customs official who will stamp the form and return it back to you. If there is any item that you need to pay the duty on, you can pay the duty here.

Additionally, visitors should be aware that they may be asked to open their luggage for inspection at any time. However, if everything is in order, the process of clearing customs should be fairly straightforward.

It is important to keep this form safe, as you may need to show it when exiting the country. For those who lose their form, replacement copies can be obtained from the customs office at the airport.

Customs Declaration Through ATITHI Mobile App

Passengers with dutiable goods can also file a declaration of dutiable items as well as currency even before boarding the flight to India by using the ATITHI mobile app.

READ NEXT: Guide To ATITHI App For Indian Customs Declaration

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the red and green channels in indian airports.

For the purpose of Customs clearance of arriving passengers, a two-channel system has been adopted: Green Channel is for passengers not having any dutiable goods. Red Channel is for passengers having dutiable goods.

Can I use the Customs Declaration Form for currency declaration?

A declaration of foreign exchange/currency above the prescribed limit is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form.

Should crew members fill Customs Declaration Form?

Yes, crew members are also required to submit the correct declaration before customs authorities.

You May Also Like

• Indian Customs Alcohol Allowance and Duty
• Indian Airport Customs Duty for LCD/LED TV
• Indian Customs Gold Duty Allowance and Rules
• Complete Guide To Indian Customs Duty-Free Allowance
• Transfer of Residence to India: Customs Rules for NRI

Copyright © NRIGuides.com – Unauthorized reproduction of this article in any language is prohibited. The information provided on this website is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, and travellers are encouraged to verify visa requirements and travel advisories through official government sources before making any travel arrangements.

Source: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

Aneesh, the Founder & Editor of DG Pixels, holds a Master’s Degree in Communication & Journalism, and has two decades of experience living in the Middle East. Since 2014, he and his team have been sharing helpful content on travel, visa rules, and expatriate affairs.

7 thoughts on “Indian Customs Declaration Form (With Updated Rules 2023)”

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If you take flowerbulbs into India and you report them to customs, thorugh the red channel, and customs declares them unfit for inmport (plant material); Will there be a fine for the attempt bringing in these goods into India, or will the goods only be confiscated and then the passenger have a free pass to enter India?

Hi, I am arriving in Delhi on 07/09/2023 from the UK. I will have the following electronic (used items) in addition to my asus ux425JA note book. 1) samsung galaxy tab A7 lite 1 year old (value £149.00 when new) 2) A Huawei P20 lite mobile phone over 5 years old (value £70.00)-only used in UK 3) An IMO Q2 plus (value £35.00) Only used overseas 4) an Anker power bar slim 10,000MHa (value £20.00) I also have the following medication: 1) Sertraline 100mg x 28 2) metformin 1000mg x 56 3) Dapagliflozin 10mg x 28 will I need to declare the above or can I go through the green channel?.

I want to bring gold coins / Bars … I have read in travellers guide for NRI gold coins / Bar are allowed limit is 20 grams.NRI who stay in abroad more than six months they have to pay concessional rate of duty 12.5% + 2.5% surcharge will be pay in convertible foreign currency.

Since ATITHI app is not working. We are struggling to file declarations.Request you to advise alternative ways to file online declaration .

Is a online copy that can be downloaded

Hi I have 60000 Indian currency ,can I bring that back from Canada to India, is there a duty for that if so how much pls helo

Very useful information..

Thanks for your kind words Suneel 🙂

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Home » Self Declaration Form On Air Suvidha No Longer Needed For India Travel 15-11-23

Self Declaration Form On Air Suvidha No Longer Needed For India Travel

Last Updated on Nov 15th, 2023 by Heena Ganotra, 371 comments

As per the latest guidelines for international travel to India (given on 21 Dec 2022 and effective 24 Dec 2022), the Air Suvidha form came back on 1 Jan 2023 for 6 countries, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China.

However, now, it has been discontinued again.

The information given below is no longer valid but has been kept for future use, in case the form comes back again.

Why Did India End The Air Suvidha Form Requirement?

Indian government ended the Air Suvidha form requirement to offer relief to passengers traveling internationally to India. Since the form was nothing but a hassle with its “edit” and “track” options causing issues every now and then, the Union Ministry decided to put an end to the root cause i.e. the filling up of the Self Declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal.

Ministry’s Statement | Official Announcement

The announcement from the Civil Aviation ministry was as follows –

In the light of sustained declining COVID-19 trajectory and significant advances being made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage both globally as well as in India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised ‘Guidelines for International Arrivals’.

Revised Guidelines for International Arrivals in India

One of the major guidelines says,  “All travelers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their country.” The word “preferably” is to be focused on. So even if you aren’t fully vaccinated, you can now travel to India without having to pay any penalties. This would indeed be a sigh of relief for many! For more details on revised guidelines, check here .

Why Has Air Suvidha Come Back?

“The health ministry is examining reintroduction of mandatory ‘air suvidha’ forms for international arrivals with details of RT-PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to travel or complete vaccination proof for passengers coming from China and other countries reporting the high number of Covid cases.” Official Source

Air Suvidha | What Was It?

Air Suvidha was an online contactless solution by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi Airport on behalf of the Ministry of Health and FW (MOHFW India) for all international passengers coming to India. It was a Self Declaration Portal for International arriving passengers. Launched in August 2020, it promoted contactless self-declaration to ease the process for international travelers arriving in India. 

Whether you were flying to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata, you had to fill the same Air Suvidha form available on the Delhi IGI Airport website. It was a one-stop solution for all international passengers arriving in India, irrespective of their entry airport and final destination in India. 

Air Suvidha Exemption Form

The Air Suvidha exemption form was discontinued way back . However, now, even the Air Suvidha form has been discontinued.

Disclaimer – Any information below this point is OUTDATED and kept only for curious passengers.  

History of the air suvidha form.

Want to know how this form was filled just for fun or curiosity’s sake? Here’s how.

No Uploading Of Either RT-PCR or Vaccination Certificate

The Indian government has eliminated the uploading of either RT-PCR or vaccination certificates on the Air Suvidha form. This comes as a relief because the portal remained down on a regular basis and uploading forms on the same was a pain.

However, please note that filling out the Air Suvidha form is still mandatory for foreign arrivals in India. Also, you will have to carry –

• RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours of your departure (if not vaccinated) OR
• Certificate of completing *full primary vaccination schedule

These will be checked and verified by the officials at the airport itself.

How To Fill Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form 

Post the new set of guidelines that were released on  10 February 2022 (effective from 14 February 2022) , the mandatory  RT-PCR conducted 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure is no longer required  if the travelers can show their full Vaccination Certificate. Kids below 5 years of age, however, are exempted to undergo RT-PCR tests even if they are not fully vaccinated.

Please note that passengers from only 133 countries are allowed to show their primary vaccination schedule completion certificate. Passengers from other countries will have to show the RT-PCR test. You can check the entire list here.

Now that we know this, here’s how to fill out the Air Suvidha form-

Open Air Suvidha Portal

Fill in the following details –

• Full Name (as per your passport)
• Flight Number (Arriving in India) Ex: AZ123 / AZ1234
• Nationality
• Passport Number
• Date of Arrival (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Country of Departure (Origin)
• Date of Final Dose of Vaccination (If you’re fully vaccinated)
• Date of RT-PCR Test Taken (Not to be filled if you’re fully vaccinated )
• First Airport of Entry State/Union Territories
• Mobile Number (+91) – (It is mandatory to provide a valid and working phone number in India. The passengers will be liable for a punishable offense under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Disaster management Act if this information is found to be incorrect. If you do not have a personal number, you can share a relative’s number as well.)
• No. Of passengers traveling

Fill Final Destination Information –

• State/Union Territories
• District/City

How To Track Your Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form 

If you’ve already filled the Air Suvidha self-reporting form and want to know the self-declaration status, you will have to fill your –

• Request Number (SRxxxxxxxx)

On submitting these details, you will easily be able to track your Air Suvidha self-declaration status. 

How To Edit Your Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form 

If you want to modify your self-reporting application form online, you will have to enter the following details –

• Registration Number 

On submitting these details, you will easily be able to edit your Air Suvidha self-declaration form. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a time period between which I have to fill my self-reporting form?

Ans: No. The Air Suvidha self-reporting form can be filled in at any time before boarding. 

Q : What happens after I submit the self-reporting form?

Ans: On submission, the mandatory self-reporting application will be forwarded to the Airport Health Organization (APHO) under the Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Passengers can then refer to their email inbox for the updated application document. Passengers should show this document on arrival in India at the APHO counter and proceed for immigration. Q: Who needs to complete the Self Declaration Form for India?

Ans: All passengers traveling to India must have a completed Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form.

Q: Can parents or legal guardians complete the self-declaration form on somebody’s behalf?

Ans : Yes, parents or legal guardians may complete the Indian Self Declaration Form on behalf of any children who are too young to fill one in themselves. Q: Where can I find the self-declaration form in India?

Ans: The Self-Declaration Form for India travelers is only found online and must be filled in and submitted electronically. If one doesn’t fill the form, their boarding will be restricted.

Q: What if I lose the vaccination handwritten card? Ans: You can download the soft copy certificate from the state portal for the Air Suvidha form.

Q: Is there an Air Suvidha app? Ans: No, there’s no Air Suvidha app. 

Q: Is there a particular syntax while filling the flight number in the form? Ans: While filling up the self-declaration form, flight number should be entered without any spaces. Eg. JA039 for flight number JA039

We hope you found this blog helpful! And if you’re looking for book tickets to India ,we are here to help you out. MyTicketsToIndia has been offering India flights along with all the necessary travel restrictions/quarantine information for hassle-free flight journeys. This includes any doubts you may have about the Air Suvidha portal.

MyTicketsToIndia has also taken an initiative to keep the Indians in America updated about the ongoings in their homeland – India through its sister portal – IndianVibes ! Do check it out to stay abreast with the latest happenings with us. 

About Heena Ganotra | View Posts

A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness like herpes. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)

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Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

I am travelling from Australia to India via Singapore . Do I need to fill the airsuvidha form ?

Hello Aswathy ji

The Air Suvidha Form has been waived off. Travelers flying to India from any international destination no longer need to fill out the form. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip! (smileeyes)

Warm Regards, Team MyTicketsToIndia

thank you so much for this info.

Hello Jane,

Thank you so much for taking the time to explore our blog and for your kind words. Your feedback truly motivates us to work harder in our mission to provide travelers with valuable and up-to-date travel information. Should you ever have any travel-related queries or require assistance with flight bookings, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated team is here to assist you in finding the best travel options. You can contact us anytime or join our live chat. 🙂

Hi, I am travelling from US to india via Hong-kong, is the Airsuvidha form required to be filled in? Earlier there was some requirements to fill in while flying through Hong-Kong, thus checking.

Hello Vishnu Balraj ji,

The Air Suvidha Form has been waived off. Travelers flying to India from any international destination no longer need to fill out the form. Hope this helps.

Good info Heena-ji. Thanks.

Hello Shyam ji,

The pleasure has all been ours, really. The fact that we could help you out with this information means a lot to us. Thank you so much! 🙂

we are a group of student travelling to India on the 28th June which is tomorrow. Do we need to fill in self declaration form

Hello Rebecca,

It is no longer necessary to fill out the Air Suvidha Declaration before traveling to India. Hope this helps. 🙂 Enjoy your trip.

I am traveling from USA to India at the end of this week do I need fill out air suvidha form

Hello Shima ji,

As per the latest government update, there is no need to fill out an Air Suvidha self-declaration form by international passengers traveling to India. Hope this helps. 🙂

Good day, I just want to ask if Air Suvidha declaration form and RT PCR test is still need for travelling from Philippines to India?

No, there is no need to fill up the Air Suvidha form for traveling from Philippines to India. As per the latest government advisory, the negative RT-PCR Test and self-declaration form are not required to submit before (or on) arrival to India. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hello, I am traveling to Hyderabad from Chicago. Do I need Do I need a NEGATIVE pcr test result ?

Hello Anjum ji,

As per the latest govt. update, a mandatory RT-PCR test report is no longer required for traveling to India. Hope this helps! 🙂

Please send me the link for “self declaration on arrival to india

Hello Quynh,

The Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form has been waived off. Passengers, now, no longer need to fill out the form before (or on) arrival to India. Hope this helps! 🙂

I am traveling from USA to South Korea for a week trip there and then from South Korea to Delhi on April 18, 2023. Will I need a negative RT-PCR test and/or self-declaration form prior to traveling to India?

I am travelling to Mumbai on 27 March 2023 from Brisbane Australia, Do I need to fill Air Suvidha form to India?

Hello Jaslan ji,

As per the latest govt. update, mandatory self-declaration on Air Suvidha by international arriving passengers has been discontinued. So you won’t have to fill in the form when traveling to India. Hope this helps. 🙂

I am travelling to Delhi on 25 March 2023 from Chicago USA, Do I need to fill Air Suvidha form to India?

Hello Anoop ji,

As per the latest govt. update, mandatory self-declaration on Air Suvidha by international arriving passengers has been discontinued. So you won’t have to fill in the form when traveling to India. Hope this helps.

Do I need to fill Air Suvidha form to India , Bangalore? I will be traveling in April 2023?

Hello Shaheen ji,

As per the latest govt. update, mandatory self-declaration on Air Suvidha by international arriving passengers has been discontinued. So you won’t have to fill in the details.

Hi, i am traveling from the Philippines to India on March 6, 2023. Do I still need a NEGATIVE pcr test result? And by any chance do u have form / link for Air Sevedha form? Thanks

The Air Suvidha form has been discontinued yet again. So no, you won’t have to fill in any form before traveling to India.

Warm Regards, Heena Ganotra

I am travelling from Melbourne (Australia) stopover in Kulalumpur (Malaysia) to Kolkata & back. Do i require RTPCR test report & fill AIr Suvedha form.

Hi, Does passengers who are only transiting through India need a negative PCR? We are going from Thailand to Abu Dhabi, on our connected flights, with 5 hours layover in India/Mumbai airport. Thanks.

Hello Vesna ji,

Yes, transiting passengers also need to show a negative RT-PCR report. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hello, got the same flights. How am I supposed to fill air suvidha when it wants India adress and Iam only transiting in Mumbai airport. Thanks.

We recommend you put the airport address itself. Hope this helps! 🙂

Im traveling from Malaysia to India Do i need to fill up air suvida form?

Hello Anju ji,

No, there is no need to fill up the Air Suvidha form for traveling from Malaysia to India. As per the latest government advisory, the negative RT-PCR Test and self-declaration form are required to be filled by passengers arriving from high-risk countries only and Malaysia doesn’t come under the list of high-risk countries. Hope this helps! 🙂

I am traveling from San Francisco to Kolkata via Singapore. i am stopping over in Singapore for 1day (20 hours). I have separate bookings for US TO. SINGAPORE and SINGAPORE to Kolkata. What should i fill up in the Country of Departure on the Air Suvidha form ?

Traveling from Australia to Bangalore on Jan 5h 2023. Have a transit and lay over at Singapore airport. Do i need to fill the air suvidha form and do i need to take a rt- PCR test

Hello Charu ji,

Yes, people transiting through high-risk countries also have to get the RT-PCR test done along with filling out the Air Suvidha form. Hope this helps.

Hi Heena, I am traveling to Hyderabad from Sydney(Australia) transit at Singapore (1 hour) . It is a Single booking. Do I need to fill Air Suvidha and get a Negative covid PCR??

Please, forward reply, my question is a same

I’m traveling from Singapore to Trichy I am fully vaccinated. And do I need to do RTPCR test before I travel? I am fully vaccinated. And I need to do an RTPCR test. Before travel, Can you please guide me on this?

Hello Sudhakar ji,

No, you won’t need the RT-PCR test before India arrival. RT-PCR has been mandated for travelers coming from 5 countries for now – China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. So you can travel without any apprehensions.

I think Singapore is added to the list. I got a mail from Singapore airlines if you are travelling from Jan 1

Hello Subba ji,

Indeed. The guidelines are being released, revised, and re-released like hotcakes. We are trying to stay and keep travelers updated as much as we can. Thank you so much for this though. We appreciate your promptness.

I am flying from the U.S. to India with a connection in Japan. (My bags will be checked straight through. The incoming flight lands on one evening and the outgoing flight leaves next morning.) Will I be considered as coming from the U.S. or Japan?

I am travelling from Nepal. Whats things should be done for me to arrvive bangalore.?

Hi my wife and two son planning to come back to India from Japan January 1st 2023 . What they need?

Hello Prof. Suraj,

They will need to produce a negative RT-PCR test result on arrival. While the guidelines say that passengers from Japan also need to fill in the Air Suvidha form but it hasn’t made its way to the website where it currently was as yet. However, we’ll let you know if it does.

hey am coming india in 31st from dubai is there any problem i face in the new delhi airport , i complete have two covisheild vaccine dose, please tell me what things be i need

I am travelling from China to Mumbai on 1st Jan.2022. Do I need to fill Air Suvidha form? And do I need to do RTPCR test before I travel? I am fully vaccinated. Can you please guide me on this?

Hello Pratik,

The government still hasn’t restarted the Air Suvidha form-filling facility. So even though the guidelines say that people coming from these 5 countries (China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand) need to fill in the Air Suvidha form, one really can’t which is super strange. Maybe they are in the middle of doing it. We’ll keep this space updated.

About the RT-PCR test, you will have to produce a negative RT-PCR test on arrival indeed. Hope this helps!

I am travelling to Bangalore on Jan. 9th of Jan 2023. Is there a requirement to get manditory Covid testing is done upon arrival. Or any other requirement that I should be aware of.

Hello Richard,

It depends on where you are coming from. Would you mind sharing that?

Insight: As of today (Dec 27, 2022), a negative RT-PCR test report is only mandatory for travelers coming from 5 countries – China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

Others neither need to show a negative RT-PCR report on arrival nor do they have to mandatorily undergo COVID testing on arrival. However, 2% of passengers from each flight will be asked (on a random basis) to get tested. Even in that case, your sample will be collected and you will be free to go to your destination. Your plans won’t have to change. If your sample comes out to be positive, the authorities will contact you and ask you to quarantine. Hope this helps.

Thanks Heena for the prompt response. My wife an I are from Canada and will be travelling to Bangalore, India.

Sir/Mdm, I am traveling to India from Los Angeles on January 8, arrivinf Delhi on January 20. Do I need covid test before departure and also do I need to fill up Air Suvida form.

Hello Sharwan ji,

As per the latest guidelines released, you will neither need to undergo the COVID test nor fill up the Air Suvidha form (currently discontinued). However, please stay tuned to this space since the guidelines are changing quickly and travelers might need to fill in a few things.

But as of today (27 Dec 2022), you don’t have to worry about anything.

Hi Team, My wife is travelling from USA to HYD on 26th Dec,2022. Whether we need to fill Air Suvidha form or PCR test required ? She is fully vaccinated and have vaccine certificate.

Thanks, Siva

Hello Siva ji,

Your wife wouldn’t need to fill out the Air Suvidha form as it has been discontinued. Hope this helps! 🙂

Hello Kshitij ji,

How can we help you?

Can 7 year old without covid vaccination travel to India. Is PCR test required.

Hello Sirisha ji,

Absolutely. The restrictions have been waived off. The PCR test is no longer required. One only has to self-monitor health hereon.

Hello my dear , so no need to fill air suvidha forms any more ? Also my 9 year old is not vaccinated. Does he still need to carry negative pcr test. Thank you so much traveling on Dec 14

Hello Rupinder ji,

The filling of Air Suvidha Form has now been waived off. In fact, neither vaccination nor pre-departure RT-PCR testing is mandatory for India-bound travelers. Even if unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, one can easily travel to India.

Am Going Dubai To Amritsar Airport After 5 Years I Online Booking My Ticket So Can I Need Air Suvidha Form?? Please Tell Me Tomorrow Morning My Flight 🙏 please Reply Me Fast

Hello Tarun,

No, you will not have to fill the Air Suvidha form. The form has been officially dismissed.

For travel from saudi arabia to cochin international air port on 16 th December 2022.do i need to fill air suvidha form? I vaccinated second dose from india and first booster dose from saudi.need any vaccine documents arrive to india?

Hello Premkumar ji,

The Air Suvidha form has been dismissed. You will neither have to fill the form nor will you have to carry any documents. All the restrictions for India international travel have been duly lifted.

For travel from UK to Delhi on 28-Nov:

1. Do vaccinated travellers need to carry vaccination report? 2. Do non-vaccinated travellers need negative RT-PCR report before travelling?

Do I need to fill Air Suvidha form? I am travelling on 25th November from London to Mumbai. Thanks

Hello Pras,

The Air Suvidha form is no longer required for India International travel. Hence, you won’t need to fill the same. This revised guideline was issued on 21 November 2022 by the Union Health Ministry and came into effect on 22 November 2022. Hope this helps! 🙂

I and my wife are travelling to India from usa on Nov 27, 2022.Are we to carry the hard copies of airsuvidha if so how many copies. In addition are we provide the seat number details in a seperate form as the seats get allotted at the airport check in. We are fully vaccinated including omicron booster which date i have to fill omicron booster date or the previous vaccinated date.

Hello Srinivas ji,

The Air Suvidha form is no longer required for India International travel. Hence, you won’t need to fill the same. This revised guideline was issued on 21 November 2022 by the Union Health Ministry and came into effect on 22 November 2022. Hope this helps! 🙂

My son is 5years old, he had his first vaccination but he don’t have vaccination certificate.so can we fill air suvidha form without vaccination certificate?

Hello Shraddha ji,

I am traveling to Bangalore (and to my home town fro there) via Dubai and i have completed the air suvidha form and down loaded the soft copy and printed few copies. 1. Do i have to upload my vaccination report which i had completed few month back. 2. Do i have to take PCR test 72 hours before my departure.

Hello Raj ji,

The Air Suvidha form is no longer required for India International travel. Hence, you won’t need to show the same. This revised guideline was issued on 21 November 2022 by the Union Health Ministry and came into effect on 22 November 2022.

And no, you wouldn’t have to take the RT-PCR test. Hope this helps! 🙂

Can i fill this form 3 or 4 days before flight

Hello Faizal ji,

Hi Heena We are traveling to India this November. My daughter is 26years, does she fill out a separate air suvidha form. Thank you

Hello Kalpana ji,

Your daughter won’t have to fill out a separate Air Suvidha Form. Towards the end, against the question – How many passengers are traveling with you on the same flight and to the same final destination? – choose the number and that’s where you can fill in all the details. Hope this helps. We wish you a safe journey ahead. 🙂

My daughter is 10 year old and she has not taken any vaccination. Does she need to take PCR test to go to India?

Hello Disha ji,

Unvaccinated passengers above the age of 5 need to undergo the RT-PCR test to travel internationally to India indeed. Consequently, your daughter will have to take the test too. Hope this helps. Here’s wishing you a seamless journey ahead. 🙂

I am travelling from Malaysia coming Dec 2022. So I need to fill up air suvidha form?

I also travelling with kid 6 years old, she haven’t take any vaccination. She need to take pcr test ?

Please advise

Hello Prakash ji,

Yes, filling out the Air Suvidha Form is mandatory. Also, since your kid is 6 years old and isn’t vaccinated, she/he/they would have to undergo the RT-PCR test. Hope this helps. Should you have any more queries, please feel free to ask. We are right here to help! 🙂

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
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Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Air pollution

Severe air pollution is a major hazard to public health, especially during the winter months (October to February). North Indian cities are most affected by extremely high levels of pollution. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be especially affected. If you’re pregnant or have a respiratory or heart condition you may wish to consult a medical practitioner before you travel. More information about outdoor air quality is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and Chikungunya occur all year round but are more widespread during the monsoon season. More information about disease risk and suggested preparatory measures is available from  TravelHealthPro  (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on health risks and what vaccinations you need for India on TravelHealthPro
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of north and northeast India, including mountainous regions in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and West Bengal. Certain southern India states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, also contain high altitude regions. More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

TravelHealthPro explains best practice when travelling with medicines .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.

For more information, contact the High Commission of India in London or view the  Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website  and the  Indian customs website .

Healthcare facilities in India

Local medical facilities are not comparable to those in the UK, especially in more remote areas. For psychiatric illness, specialised treatment may not be available outside major cities. In major cities, private medical care is available but expensive.

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in India .

COVID-19 Healthcare in India

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want more information, contact a registered medical practitioner.

Testing is available on demand from private laboratories. More details on testing labs are available on the  Indian Council of Medical Research website .

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also guidance on TravelHealthPro .

Transplant surgery

If you’re travelling to India for organ transplant surgery, check in advance with the hospital to find out what proof they need about your circumstances in the UK. You may need to submit evidence of your marriage and birth of your children before the operation can take place. You can get copies of marriage and birth certificates from the General Register Office in the UK. You may want to have them legalised by the FCDO Legalisation office before travelling. The British High Commission cannot provide guarantees and certificates on your behalf.

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Find further  advice on medical tourism from TravelHealthPro , and NHS guidance on  going abroad for medical treatment , and (if relevant to you) on  cosmetic surgery abroad .

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