Can I travel to India now? COVID-19 restrictions and entry conditions
After almost two years of being under one of the world’s strictest pandemic lockdowns, India has been gradually reopening for international visitors.
In early November 2021, the country opened its borders to most foreign nationals arriving on commercial flights and is planning to fully reopen for tourism in 2022.
Apply Air Suvidha Self Declaration for IndiaIndia COVID travel restrictions
Indian authorities have imposed several travel restrictions for foreign visitors, including mandatory testing, proof of vaccination, and self-monitoring for symptoms.
COVID vaccine recognition agreement
In October 2021, India entered a reciprocal agreement on the recognition of COVID vaccination certificates with 110 countries, including the United States and most European nations.
The Indian government recognizes all locally approved vaccines from these countries in addition to the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization.
Citizens of countries that have not signed an agreement with India but allow fully vaccinated Indian citizens to travel can also enter India.
Testing requirements for India
All international travelers arriving in India must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight.
Travelers with a valid COVID certificate are not required to undergo additional COVID testing upon arrival. However, passengers coming from a country at high risk, for example, South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand, and the UK, must test for coronavirus at the airport.
India’s vaccination requirements
Fully vaccinated travelers from countries with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of vaccine certificates, such as EU COVID certificate holders, can leave the airport without taking a COVID-19 test.
Travelers who are partially or not vaccinated have to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport.
They are also required to quarantine at home for a week, after which they must take another test. If the test is negative, they will still have to continue to monitor their health for another week.
Note that at least 15 days must have passed since the completion of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule for the COVID certificate to be valid.
Quarantine requirements upon arrival in India
Passengers arriving from countries that are not at high risk do not need to quarantine upon arrival.
Health monitoring
All travelers visiting the country are required to monitor their health for 14 days after they arrive in India. This applies also to visitors from the countries with a mutual agreement with India.
Self-monitoring consists of taking temperature twice a day and watching for coronavirus symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing. Anyone who develops fever, cough, or breathing problems during the self-monitoring period should self-isolate.
What is India’s current COVID situation?
Since the second wave that peaked in May 2021, the number of cases has been decreasing. Currently, there are under 40,000 new coronavirus cases per day. It is important to keep in mind that due to the limited testing, the actual number of infections may be higher.
India’s vaccination rate
India has administered more than a billion vaccine doses since starting its vaccination program in January. About 26% of India’s population, or around 370 million inhabitants, is fully vaccinated. Antibody surveys suggest that most Indians have already been exposed to the virus.
India has to date approved several COVID vaccines, including AstraZeneca (locally known as Covishield), Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, and Sputnik-V.
What are India’s COVID restrictions in place?
Foreign travelers visiting India must follow the local COVID-19 protocols. Masks are currently required in all public places and on public transportation. Social distancing is also mandatory, with fines in some states. All essential services continue to function and hotels have started reopening.
India’s COVID passport
As part of the second phase of its vaccine distribution in April this year, India launched a COVID passport in the form of a mobile phone application. This certificate is meant to loosen restrictions on travel and access to facilities.
Traveling to India for tourism: useful tips
Each of India’s 28 states can set its own rules when it comes to international arrivals. This means that restrictions may vary depending on which airport the passenger flies into.
Some states implement one or more of the following measures:
- Mandatory institutional or home quarantine
- Thermal screening for arriving passengers
- Health profiling at the airport
- Mandatory testing upon arrival
- Random COVID testing
- Completing a self-declaration health form
Foreign travelers who intend to visit India should also make sure that flights are running from their country, as not all operators have resumed full service at this time.
India border reopening: Kartarpur Corridor
A visa-free crossing between India and Pakistan, known as the Kartarpur corridor, has now reopened.
The corridor allows Indian Sikhs to visit one of their holiest shrines that is located near the border in Pakistan. It first opened in 2019 but was closed last year due to the pandemic.