Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries have imposed travel restrictions to try and contain the spread of the virus. India is no exception. As of October 2020, citizens of most countries are not allowed to enter India. There are a few exceptions, such as for essential workers and those with long-term visas.
Currently, there are no travel restrictions to India.
Is quarantine required for international travel in India?
The government of India has made it mandatory for all passengers arriving from abroad to produce a COVID-19 negative certificate issued by an ICMR recognized lab within 48 hours prior to their arrival in India. If a passenger is unable to produce a valid negative certificate, they will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport and will be placed in paid institutional quarantine until the results are available. Alternatively, passengers can opt for 14 days of home quarantine with a stamp.
All US citizens need a valid passport as well as a valid Indian visa or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, to enter and exit India for any purpose. Travelers without valid documents or the correct type of visa may be denied entry into India.
Indian visas are obtained from Indian diplomatic missions abroad or from e-Visa online portal. The OCI card is obtained from the Indian consulate. US citizens of Indian origin may also apply for a PIO card.
There are different types of visas for different purposes of travel, such as business, tourism, work, student, etc. Make sure you have the correct visa for your purpose of travel.
Requirements for a valid passport include that it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in India, and have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
Be prepared to present proof of onward or return travel, as well as sufficient funds for your stay in India. You may also be asked to present other supporting documents, such as a letter of invitation.
You will need to exit India before your visa or OCI card expires. If you overstay your visa, you will be subject to a fine and may be restricted from returning
Does Covid test required to travel to India
However, all passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test result from within 96 hours of their flight.
Air India will operate a daily flight to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York using its B777-200LR aircraft, from February 14, 2023. This will be part of Air India’s global expansion.
Is RT-PCR test mandatory to enter India?
As of October 2020, all international passengers arriving in India are required to present a negative RT-PCR test report, taken within 72 hours of travel.
This is in addition to the existing requirements of a self-declaration form and a health declaration form.
Passengers who are unable to present a negative RT-PCR report will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense.
The above requirements are subject to change as the situation evolves.
The Government of India has decided to restore all valid regular paper /e-visa [including long term 10 years tourist regular paper visa and 5 years e-visa] irrespective of its issue date, for the nationals of USA since 16 March 2022.
How long can US citizens stay in India?
The USA and Japan have a much more relaxed policy when it comes to overstaying a visa. Nationals of these countries are allowed a continuous stay during each visit of up to 180 days, as opposed to the more usual 90 days Per Entry. This makes it much easier for visitors from the USA and Japan to enjoy extended stays in the country.
If you are planning to travel to the United States, you will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 2 days before your flight. You can get tested at a variety of locations, including many pharmacies and travel clinics.
Is India issuing tourist visas now
The e-Tourist Visa (eTV) facility is now available for nationals of 161 countries. Eligible foreign nationals can apply for eTV at least 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. The eTV, which is valid for 30 days with double entry, can be obtained by following the steps on the website https://indianvisaonlinegov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
According to the updated guidelines, passengers taking transit flights to India from high-risk countries also need to submit a negative RT-PCR report and fill out the Air Suvidha form. This is in addition to the already existing requirements of a negative RT-PCR report and the Air Suvidha form for all passengers travelling to India.
Do we still have to fill Air Suvidha form?
Air Suvidha is the one-stop solution for all your travel needs if you are coming from or travelling to a high-risk country. It is mandatory for you to use Air Suvidha regardless of your entry airport or final destination in India. With Air Suvidha, you can easily book your flights, accommodation, and transportation all in one place.
Air Suvidha is a contactless solution by Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi Airport for all international passengers coming to India. It is a Self Reporting and Exemption Form Portal for International arriving passengers. This portal is developed for the Ministry by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Delhi.
The Air Suvidha portal is available in 11 languages – Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The portal can be accessed through www.airsuvidha.gov.in.
The portal has following features for the arriving passengers:
• Self-reporting of health status and basic personal information
• Finding nearby COVID-19 testing centre
• Apply for exemption from quarantine
• Get e-pass for inter-state travel (if required)
• Get information about Do’s and Don’ts during travel and stay in India
The Air Suvidha portal is intended to make the travel experience of passengers coming to India hassle-free and contactless. It is also expected to help in early identification of COVID-19 cases and facilitate prompt treatment.
Do we need Air Suvidha for international departure
It is not stipulated anywhere that passengers leaving India must fill out the air suvidha form. However, travelers of all nationalities entering India must fill out the form.
The Government of India has restored all existing visas, which had been suspended earlier, including electronic visa except e-Tourist Visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa. This will provide relief to foreign nationals who were stranded in India due to the suspension of visas. The move will also boost tourism and business activity in the country.
When India will resume tourist visa?
The Indian e-Tourist Visa will now be valid for 1 year and 5 years from 16 March 2022 for citizens of 156 eligible countries. There will be no limit of stay for 30 days. This is a great development for those who want to stay in India for a longer period of time.
If you are planning to visit India, it is important to know which visa type you need and what documentation is required. You can determine this by checking the requirements on the government of India website. Once you have gathered the required documentation, you can file your application online. After your application has been processed, you will be able to track your visa status.
Final Words
There are currently no travel restrictions to India, although visitors are advised to check with their local authorities prior to travel.
There are currently no travel restrictions to India, however visitors are advised to check with their government’s travel advisory before planning their trip. India is a large and diverse country with something to offer everyone, from beautiful beaches to stunning mountains and fascinating cities. With its rich history and culture, India is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore a new and exciting country.
