India to Return to Normal Tourism by Removing Remaining Restrictions
Travelers planning to visit India now can forget about Covid-19 restrictions.
On Monday (Nov. 21st), the Indian government decided to remove the remaining covid-related travel requirements, including the need to complete the Air Suvidha Form before the planned trip.
Due to the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, the Indian authorities opened an online platform for travelers who were required to fill out the online declaration form at least 72 hours before the planned departure.
Travelers had to show the receipt of the form upon arrival at the Delhi Airport. As of November 22th, completing the Air Suvidha Form is no longer mandatory.
India reopened for international tourism in March 2022, but all travelers, including children aged 5 and older, had to produce an RT PCR negative test or provide a valid vaccination certificate.
According to the latest travel update, the country’s authorities have also removed the testing requirements.
The latest decision to remove the restrictions was made amid the declining trajectory of the coronavirus and successful vaccination campaigns in India and worldwide.
India has become one of the last countries that finally joined the restriction-free countries.
Nevertheless, there are still some considerations that travelers should be aware of before visiting India.
Updated entry rules for travelers to India
India is returning to normal tourism, but travelers are still advised to follow certain protective measures.
The latest guidelines go as follows:
- Travelers no longer need to provide either vaccination or negative test certificates (although they should best be fully immunized against Covid-19)
- Masks are still highly recommended on flights but are not mandatory
- Passengers with coronavirus symptoms should undergo isolation and wear masks until getting to an isolation facility
- Maintaining physical distancing is still advised
- Airports maintain thermal screening procedures for arriving travelers, and in case of covid-like symptoms, it may be necessary to isolate at a quarantine-designated medical facility
- All travelers are also highly advised to self-monitor their health, and in case of any symptoms, they should go to the nearest medical facility
Other requirements to enter India
Despite the fact that the Indian authorities removed all the Covid-19 restrictions, including the requirement to fill out the Air Suvidha Declaration Form, travelers coming from non-visa-exempt countries must still remember to obtain a visa prior to travel.
Currently, there are over 150 different countries whose citizens can apply for an electronic visa to India.
Travelers can obtain an Indian electronic visa for the purpose of tourism, business, or medical treatment.
In order to get an eVisa for India, an applicant needs to fill out a short online form and cover the service fee, while the approved visa will be delivered to the email inbox once approved.
Check if your country is eligible for an eVisa to India and obtain yours entirely online.
