Call them air bubbles or travel bubbles or air corridors: India has set up bilateral travel arrangements with six countries so far: US, UK, Canada, Germany, France and the UAE. These air bubbles now allow more people to visit India, and more Indians to travel abroad. However, passengers may still have to undergo quarantines or tests mandated by the destination countries. So what are the rules? Over the last few days, there have been two significant updates. The latest one from 10 August allows travel to US, UK, Canada and UAE for anyone with a valid visa. This update does not seem to cover France and Germany, where the rules from the previous week still seem to apply.
On cue, airlines have already started lining up flights. Etihad and Air France have started flights already. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and Air Canada have opened bookings for flights to respective hubs. And, of course, India’s flag carrier will operate to all these destinations.
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For now, here’s a lowdown on the rules:
Who can fly to India:
Stranded Indian nationals, all Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) holding US passports, and foreigners (including diplomats) holding a valid visa from any category, who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.
Who can fly to the US:
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa.
- US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
Airlines from India and Canada can operate between their respective countries.
Who can fly to India: Stranded Indian nationals, all Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) holding Canadian passports, and foreigners (including diplomats) holding a valid visa from any category, who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.
Who can fly to Canada:
- Any Indian national with any type of valid Canadian visa
- Stranded Canadian nationals/residents; and
- Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
Who can fly to India: Stranded Indian nationals, all Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) holding UAE passports, and UAE nationals (including diplomats) holding a valid visa issued by an Indian mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.
Who can fly to the UAE:
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa and destined for the UAE only.
- UAE nationals
- ICA approved UAE residents destined for UAE only
Indian and French/German carriers are permitted to take flyers between these countries. Air India and Air France are already operating flights. Lufthansa will start scheduled operations soon.
Who can fly to India: Stranded Indian nationals, and foreigners (including diplomats and OCI cardholders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.
Who can fly to France and Germany:
- Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for the European Union.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping
- Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or Germany (as applicable) or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
