Key Points :
- Last week, the Centre decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas, barring electronic, tourist and medical categories.
- If the validity of visas have expired, fresh visas of the appropriate categories can be procured from Indian mission or post concerned.
- Foreign nationals with the intent to visit India for medical treatment can apply afresh for a medical visa, including for their medical attendants.
Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements” are temporary arrangements between two countries targeted at resuming commercial passenger services as daily international flights were suspended owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. These arrangements are mutual in nature, meaning airlines from both countries will get similar benefits. With every passing day,countries across the world are lifting travel restrictions from India in a gradual manner under air bubble arrangements.Both Indian and foreign airlines are offering an array of options for people who want to travel to countries such as UK, US, Japan, France etc.
Last week, the Centre decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas, barring electronic, tourist and medical categories. This decision comes almost eight months after their suspension which follows the coronavirus outbreak and consequent decision of a nationwide lockdown.If the validity of visas have expired, fresh visas of the appropriate categories can be procured from Indian mission or post concerned.Foreign nationals with the intent to visit India for medical treatment can apply afresh for a medical visa, including for their medical attendants.
This decision will facilitate foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.
The government has also allowed all OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, barring the tourist visa, to enter by air or water routes through authorised airports and seaport immigration check posts.
– GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW BEFORE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:
1. Passengers need to submit an undertaking on the portal that they will undergo compulsory quarantine for 14 days which comprises of 7 days institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health.
2.Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also asked passengers to submit a self-declaration form on http://www.newdelhiairport.in at least 3 days before the scheduled travel.
3. For Indian passengers flying to Dubai, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has told Air India Express to reject COVID-negative test reports of passengers from four Indian laboratories – Suryam Lab in Jaipur, Microhealth Lab in the cities of Kerala; P Bhasin Pathlabs and Noble Diagnostic Centre in Delhi.
As of now the following flights are operating to and fro from India:
1.Air India
2.Air France
3.Air Canada
4.Lufthansa
5.Etihad
6.Virgin Atlantic
7.Emirates
8.United
