India Relaxing COVID-19 Guidelines for International Arrivals
The Indian Government has issued the updated COVID-19 guidelines for international arrivals. As per the new guidelines, the 72-hour RT-PCR report is no longer required if a traveler is a holder of a valid full vaccination certificate.
The Government has also removed the 7-day obligatory quarantine recommending travelers to self-monitor their health for the next 14 days of their arrival in India.
Finally, the 'At Risk' classification indicating the areas with high numbers of Omicron cases, was also removed.
The revised guidelines for international travelers to India came into effect on 14th February 2022.
Revised Indian entry protocol
Before arrival
- submit a self-declaration form via the Air Suvidha portal newdelhiairport.in before the planned travel, including travel details of the last 14 days
- upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR result* taken within 72 hours of the trip or certificate of full primary COVID-19 vaccination**
- submit a declaration confirming that the negative COVID-19 test result is authentic (a traveler needs to agree on criminal charges if the test is not authentic)
- download the Aarogya Setu app (used for tracking the COVID-19 cases)
- obtain e-Visa to India (if applicable)
*The pre- and post-arrival testing requirements do not apply to children under 5 years of age. Nevertheless, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 upon arrival or during the self-monitoring period, they are subject to the same protocol as others.
**Some countries have an agreement with India on mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccine certificates of nationally recognized or WHO recognized coronavirus vaccines. On the basis of reciprocity, these travelers will be allowed to enter India quarantine-free with a certificate confirming completing the full primary vaccination schedule. As of 10th, Feb. the list includes 82 such countries. The full list is available here. Countries not placed on the list are not exempted from the testing requirements.
Upon arrival
- provide the receipt of the self-declaration submitted via the Air Suvidha portal
- undergo thermal screening (symptomatic passengers will be immediately isolated and tested)
- 2% of the total passengers of a given flight will be subject to random post-arrival COVID-19 testing at the airport
- all travelers should self-monitor their health for the next 14 days of arrival date
Arriving at land ports or seaports
International travelers who plan to enter India via land or sea are subject to the same entry protocol as flight passengers, except for the facility for online registration.
Currently, registration via the Air Suvidha portal is not available for passengers other than those arriving by air.
Travelers entering India via sea or land need to submit the self-declaration form to the competent authorities at the land ports or seaports upon their arrival.
