Advisory : Travel and Travel restrictions related to COVID-19

Vide MHA order No.25022/24/2020-F.V/F.I dated 01.06.2020. The following categories of foreign nationals has been permitted to come to India:-

1. Foreign businessmen coming to India on a Business Travel [other than on B-3 Travel for sports] in non-scheduled commercial/chartered flights.
2. Foreign Healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories. This is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited University in India.
3. Foreign Engineering, Managerial, Design or other Specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India. This includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector firms).
4. Foreign Technical specialists and engineers travelling for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity. These could be for equipment installation, or is under warranty, or for after sales servicing or repair on commercial terms.
Foreign nationals covered in sub-paras (i) to (iv) above shall have to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment travel, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long term multiple entry Business visa [other than B-3 visa for sports] issued by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad shall have to get the Business visa re-validated from the Indian Mission/Post concerned. Such foreign nationals will not be permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier.

Vide MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) Dated 24th May, 2020

A. Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for movement of Indian Nationals stranded outside the country

In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, international travel of passengers has been prohibited under MHA's Orders related to lockdown measures. As per information available, many Indian Nationals who had travelled to different countries before the lockdown, on various purposes such as employment, studies/internships, tourism, business, etc., are stranded abroad. Due to their prolonged stay abroad, they are facing distress and are desirous of returning to India urgently. Apart from the above cases, there are other Indian Nationals who need to visit India in medical emergencies or death of a family member.
2. In order to facilitate the movement of such Indian Nationals, the following SOP is hereby laid down:
1. Such persons will register themselves with the Indian Missions in the country where they are stranded, along with necessary details as prescribed by MEA.
2. They will travel to India by non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA); and ships as allowed by Department of Military Affairs (DMA)/Ministry of Shipping (MOS). Only those crew and staff, who are tested COVID-19 negative, will be allowed to operate these flights/ships.
3. Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/ labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of travel, persons with medical emergency/pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students.
4. The cost of travel, as specified by the carrier, will be borne by such travellers.
5. Based on the registrations received, MEA will prepare flight/ship wise database of all such travellers, including details such as name, age, gender, mobile phone number, place of residence, place of final destination; and information on RT-PCR test taken and its result. This data base will be shared by MEA with the respective State/UT in advance.
6. MEA will designate State/UT wise nodal officers, who will co-ordinate with the nodal officers designated for this purpose by the respective states/UTs.
7. MEA will display with at least two days’ notice, the scheduled (day, place and time of arrival) of the incoming flight/ship, on their online digital platform.
8. All travellers will also be required to give an undertaking that they are making the journey at their own risk.
9. Passengers arriving through the land borders will also have to undergo the same protocol as above, and only those who are asymptomatic will be enabled to cross the border into India.
10. The guidelines for International arrivals, including for quarantine arrangements, dated May 24, 2020, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) will be followed.

Vide MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) Dated 24th May, 2020

B. Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for movement of persons stranded in India who are desirous to travel abroad

In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, international travel of passengers has been prohibited under MHA's Orders related to lockdown measures. As per information available, many persons are stranded in India who desirous to travel abroad urgently for various purposes.
2. In order to facilitate the movement of such persons, the following SoP is hereby laid down:
1. Such persons will apply to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) or to any agency designated by MOCA for this purpose, along with necessary details, including the places of departure and arrival, as prescribed by MOCA.
2. Only those persons shall be allowed to travel to the destination countries, who are citizens of that country; who hold visa of at least one year duration of that country; and green card or OCI card holder. In cases of medical emergency or death in the family, Indian Nationals holding six month visa can also be allowed.
3. The travel from India shall be by on the non-scheduled commercial flights that are allowed by MOCA for bringing back stranded Indian Nationals from abroad.
4. Indian seafarers/crew seeking to accept contracts to serve on vessels abroad, can travel on the non-scheduled commercial flights departing from India under the VANDE BHARAT Mission or other flights arranged by their employers subject to clearance given by the Ministry of Shipping.
5. Before the tickets of such persons are confirmed, MOCA will ensure that the destination country allows entry of such persons in that country. The conditions, if any, imposed by the destination country, will have to be fulfilled by the person intending to travel.
6. The cost of travel, as specified by the carrier, will be borne by such travellers.
7. At the time of boarding the flight, MOCA will ensure that all travellers undergo thermal screening as per health protocol. Only asymptomatic travellers would be allowed to board the flight.
8. While on board the flight, required precautions such as wearing of masks, environmental hygiene, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene etc. are to be observed by airline staff, crew and all passengers.

The Guidelines for International arrival issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW).

1. Before boarding, all travellers shall give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days - 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health.
2. Only for exceptional and compelling reasons such as cases of human distress, pregnancy, death in family, serious illness and parent(s) accompanied by children below 10 years, as assessed by the receiving states, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days. Use of AROGYA SETU App shall be mandatory in such cases.
3. Dos and Don'ts shall be provided along with ticket to the travellers by the agencies concerned.
4. All passengers shall be advised to down load AROGYA SETU App on their mobile devices.
5. At the time of boarding the flight/ship, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.
6. Passengers arriving through the land borders will also have to undergo the same protocol as above, and only those who are asymptomatic will be enabled to cross the border into India.
7. Self-declaration form in duplicate shall be filled by the person in the flight/ship and a copy of the same will be given to Health and Immigration officials present at the airport/ seaport/ land port. The form may also be made available on AROGYA SETU App.
8. Suitable precautionary measures such as environmental sanitation and disinfection shall be ensured at the airports as well as within the flights.
9. During boarding and at the airports, all possible measures to ensure social distancing to be ensured.
10. Suitable announcement about COVID-19 including precautionary measures to be followed shall be made at airports/port and in flights/ships and during transit.
11. While on board the flight/ship, required precautions such as wearing of masks, environmental hygiene, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene etc. are to be observed by airline/ ship staff, crew and all passengers.
12. On arrival, thermal screening would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the Health officials present at the airport/seaport/ land port.
13. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility as per health protocol.
14. The remaining passengers shall be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facilities, to be arranged by the respective State/ UT Governments.
15. These passengers shall be kept under institutional quarantine for a minimum period of 7 days. They shall be tested as per ICMR protocol available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Revisedtestingguidelines.pdf. If they test positive, they shall be assessed clinically.
1. If they are assessed as mild cases, they will be allowed home isolation or isolated in the COVID CARE CENTER (both public & private facilities) as appropriate.
2. Those having moderate or severe symptoms will be admitted to dedicated COVID Health facilities and managed accordingly.
If found negative, they shall be advised to further isolate themselves at home and self-monitor their health for 7 days.
16. In case, any symptoms develop they shall inform the district surveillance officer or the state/national call centre (1075).

BOI Advisory

1. All incoming passenger traffic, on all 107 Immigration Check Posts which includes all Airport ICPs, all Seaport ICPs all Land Port ICPs, all Rail Port ICPs and all River Port ICPs, is prohibited, in the view of the spread of COVID-19. Vehicles/Trains carrying goods for the trade or essential goods and supplies are exempted from this prohibition along with their crew, driver, helper, cleaner etc. subject to their thorough screening by the medical staff for COVID-19.

2. The visa restrictions, as mentioned below, shall remain in force

1. All existing Travels granted to Foreigners except to those belonging to Diplomatic, Official, UN/International organizations, Employment and Project categories shall remain suspended till prohibition on international travel of passengers from/to India is lifted by the Government of India.(Vide MHA OM No. 25022/24/2020-FV/FI(i) dated 5th May, 2020).
2. “Regular Travel, travel or stay stipulation of such foreign nationals whose visa have expired or would be expiring during the period from 01.02.2020(Mid night) till the date on which prohibition on international air travel of passengers from India is lifted by the Government of India, would be extended on ‘GRATIS’’ basis on submission of online application by the foreigners.
Such extensions would be granted for a period up to 30 days from the date of lifting of prohibition on international air travel of passengers from India without levy of overstay penalty. Exit to such foreign nationals, if so requested by them, will also be granted on the same lines.” (Vide MHA OM No. 25022/24/2020-FV/FI(ii) dated 5th May, 2020).
3. The validity of OCI card of foreigners presently in India shall remain.
4. Travel free travel facility granted to OCI card holders, has been kept in abeyance till prohibition on international travel of passengers from/to India is lifted by the Government of India. Any foreign national (including OCI cardholder) who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for fresh travel. (Vide MHA OM No. F.NO.26011/Misc./83/2020-OCI dated 5th May, 2020).

Vide MHA Order No. 26011/Misc./83/2020-OCI dated 22.05.2020, the following categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), who are stranded abroad, are permitted to come to India:

1. Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
2. OCI card holders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.
3. Couples where one spouse is an OCI card holder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
4. University students who are OCI card holders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.
5. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated Immigration Check posts that have been notified by MHA vide O.M. No.25022/12/2017-Imm dated March 14, 2020.

Mandatory compliance of Travel Advisory issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India

1. Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines, Malaysia to India is prohibited with immediate effect. No Flight shall take-off from these countries to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST). The Airlines shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. This instruction is a temporary measure and shall be enforced till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.
2. Passengers travelling from / having visited Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need certificate of having tested negative from COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by Health Authority of these countries. This is enforcement since 0000 hrs. of March 10, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.
3. All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after Feb. 15, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure.
4. All passengers coming from UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait will be placed under compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days which shall come into effect from 1200 hrs GMT on March 18, 2020 at the port of first departure.
5. Incoming travellers including Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days on their arrival in India.
6. Indian nationals are further strongly advised to refrain from travel to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain & Germany.
7. All incoming international passengers returning to India should self-monitor their health and follow required do’s and don’ts as detailed by the Government.
8. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These have been notified separately by Ministry of Home Affairs.
9. All international passengers entering into India are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form in duplicate (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) (as annexed) to Health Officials and Immigration officials and undergo Universal Health Screening at the designated health counters at all Points of Entry. 10. For any queries related to health, people may contact Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 24*7 helpline number (+91-11-23978046) or email at (ncov2019@gmail.com).

Mandatory compliance of Travel and Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 to be followed by all PASSENGERS to/from India.

1. All scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. However, this restriction will not apply to international cargo operations and flights especially approved by DGCA.
2. No scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall take from any foreign airport for any airport in India, after 0001 hrs GMT of March 22, 2020 (0530 hrs Indian Standard Time (IST) of March 22, 2020). These instructions shall remain in force UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
3. A maximum travel time of 20 hours is permissible for such commercial aircraft to land in India.
4. As such, no incoming scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to disembark its passengers on Indian soil (Foreigner or Indian) after 2001 hrs GMT of March 22, 2020 (0131 hrs IST of March 23, 2020) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
5. All passengers who have visited COVID-19 affected countries duly identified by Government of India in earlier travel advisories, who have visited these countries on or after February 15, 2020; and which are mentioned hereunder again:- China, Iran and EU, EU FTA, Turkey, UK (from where passengers have been prohibited from entering India from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia (in force from March 17), shall remain in force and no scheduled international commercial airline shall carry or disembark such passengers on Indian soil.
6. These instructions are in addition to the travel restrictions/advisories already issued and under implementation. The above are temporary measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19, and are subject to review by Government.

Advisory For e Travel India Applications and Refunds

Please do not submit any application for any travel until further notice on this website as the applications may not be processed due to above mentioned restrictions because of COVID-19.

Any Indian e Travel Application submitted shall be put under pending status and shall only be processed when the Window for Indian e Travel is opened by the Indian Government or a 50% Refund may be requested against the Total Fee paid by writing an email to the Support at support@e-visaindia.com.

Any applicant who doesn’t want their application to processed after payment may ask for 50% refund and cancel the application by writing an email to the support centre to the above email.