The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released fresh guidelines and eligibility rules for those travelling to and from India to US, UK, Canada, other countries. India currently has air transport bubbles with 13 countries amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, while more such agreements are on the pipeline.
What are air transport bubbles?
“Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements” 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 are as follows:
1. Afghanistan
From India to Afghanistan
i. Afghanistan nationals/residents and foreign nationals holding valid Afghanistan visas, if required; and ii. Any Indian national, holding any type of valid visa from Afghanistan and destined for Afghanistan only. “It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Afghanistan with the particular visa category before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger,” the ministry’s document said.
From Afghanistan to India
i. Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan;
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Afghanistan passports
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated June 30 as amended from time to time, the document said.
2. Bahrain
From India to Bahrain
i. Bahraini nationals/residents
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from the Kingdom of Bahrain and destined for Bahrain only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Bahrain with the particular visa category before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.
From Bahrain to India
i. Indian nationals stranded in Bahrain
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Bahraini passports; and
iii. Bahraini nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
3. Canada
From India to Canada
i. Stranded Canadian nationals/residents and foreigners with valid Canadian visa eligible to enter Canada;ii. Indian nationals with valid visas eligible to enter Canada. The airlines concerned will ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals.
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities, seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the ministry of shipping
From Canada to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Canadian passports; and
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India as per MHA guidelines
4. France
From India to France
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU;
ii. Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
From France to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals;
ii. Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines .
5. Germany
From India to Germany
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU;
ii. Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through Germany or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
From Germany to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals;
ii. Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
6. Iraq
From India to Iraq
i. Nationals/residents of Iraq;
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Iraq and destined for Iraq only.
From Iraq to India
i. Indian nationals stranded in Iraq;
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Iraq; and
iii. Nationals of Iraq (including diplomats), holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under (MHA) guidelines.
7. Japan
From India to Japan
i. Stranded nationals/residents of Japan and foreign nationals holding valid Japanese visas subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the government of Japan at the time of travel; and
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Japan subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the government of Japan at the time of travel.
i. Stranded Indian nationals;
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Japan; and
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines.
8. Maldives
From India to Maldives
i. Maldivian nationals/residents and foreign nationals holding valid Maldivian visas, if required;
ii. Any Indian national.
From Maldives to India
i. Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Maldivian passports, and
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines.
9.Nigeria
From India to Nigeria
i. Stranded Nigerian nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Africa and transiting through Nigeria or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise;
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
From Nigeria to India
i. Indian nationals stranded in any country in Africa;
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Nigerian passports;
iii. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports issued by any country in Africa who are eligible to enter India as per MHA guidelines.
iv. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines
10. Qatar
From India to Qatar
i. Qatari nationals
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid Qatar visa and destined for Qatar only.
i. Indian nationals stranded in Qatar;
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Qatari passports, and
iii. Qatari nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines.
11.United Arab Emirates (UAE)
From India to UAE
i. UAE nationals.
ii. ICA-approved UAE residents destined for UAE only.
iii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa and destined for UAE only.
From UAE to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UAE passports; and
iii. UAE nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines
12.United Kingdom (UK)
i. Stranded UK nationals/residents, foreign nationals transiting through UK or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa and destined for UK only.
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
From UK to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UK passports; and
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India.
13.United States of America (USA)
From India to USA
i. US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas;
ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa.
From US to India
i. Stranded Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding US passports; and
iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India.
