Immigration update: India | Revised guidelines for international arrivals
Indian Government has reviewed the existing guidelines for international arrivals, in view of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529; named Omicron) which has been classified as Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization
Who will be affected?
All International travellers
Implementation
- The revised Standard Operating Procedure shall be valid from 11th January 2022 (00.00 Hrs IST) till further orders. The SOP shall be reviewed based on the risk assessment.
- International travellers travelling to India should:
1) Before travel
a) Submit self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration) before scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details.
b) Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.
c) Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.
d) Submit an undertaking on the portal to undergo home quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted.
e) All travellers who need to undertake testing on arrival, should preferably pre-book the test online on Air Suvidha Portal, to facilitate timely testing.
** List of Countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing (Countries at-risk) 1. Countries in Europe including The United Kingdom 2. South Africa 3. Brazil 4. Botswana 5. China 6. Ghana 7. Mauritius 8. New Zealand 9. Zimbabwe 10. Tanzania 11. Hong Kong 12. Israel 13. Congo 14. Ethiopia 15. Kazakhstan 16. Kenya 17. Nigeria 18. Tunisia 19. Zambia
2) Before boarding
a) Travellers from at-risk countries shall be informed by the airlines that they will undergo post arrival testing, quarantine if tested negative, stringent isolation protocols if tested positive etc.
b) Airlines will allow boarding to those travellers who have filled in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal, uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report.
c) At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.
d) All travellers should download Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices.
3) On arrival
a) Travellers from specified Countries at risk will follow the protocol as detailed below:
i) Submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival (self-paid
ii) If tested negative they will follow home quarantine for 7 days. Re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India and if negative, further self-monitor of their health for next 7 days.
iii) If tested positive, their samples will be sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
iv) They shall be managed at a separate isolation facility and treated as per laid down standard protocol including contact tracing.
v) The contacts of such positive case should be kept under institutional quarantine or at home quarantine monitored strictly by the concerned State Government as per laid down protocol.
b) Travellers from Countries excluding those Countries at risk, will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 7 days’ post arrival. A sub-section (5% of the total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival.
c) If the traveller under home quarantine or self-health monitoring develops signs and symptoms suggested of Covid-19 or test positive on re-testing, shall immediately self-isolate and report to the nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075).
– These instructions are in addition to the travel restrictions/ advisories already issued and under implementation.
For additional details regarding arrival procedures when entering India, please check:
RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivalsdated7thJanuary2022.pdf (mohfw.gov.in)
ListofCountriestobereferredtoincontextofGuidelinesforinternationalarrivalsdated7thJanuary2022.pdf (mohfw.gov.in)
Bureau Of Immigration (boi.gov.in)
Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for travel on Vande Bharat and Air Transport Bubble flights
- Persons interested in travelling to India on Vande Bharat flights, will register themselves with the Indian Missions in the country where they are stranded/ residing, along with necessary details as prescribed by MEA.
- Registration may not be required on flights operating under Air Transport Bubbles arrangements.
• Vande Bharat Mission : https://www.mea.gov.in/vande-bharat-mission-list-of-flights.htm
• Air Transport Bubbles Arrangement: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles
• SOP for travel on Vande Bharat Scheme and Air Transport Bubble Arrangement: https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/MHASOP_22082020.pdf
Santa Fe Analysis
Santa Fe will update about any relevant immigration update arising considering the scenario is continuously changing.
For employers, it is advised to keep assignment start dates flexible for affected travellers.
Check in with your closest Indian Mission for guidance on travel to India.
Santa Fe Relocation provides full range of Immigration Services.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Roshni Ramachandran
Immigration Manager-India
Santa Fe Relocation
Mumbai, India
D: +91 22 450 24527
E: roshni.ramachandran@santaferelo.com
Paolo Longo
Regional Immigration Director–India, Middle East & Africa
Santa Fe Relocation
Johannesburg, South Africa
D: +27 (0) 10 595 2337
M: +27 (0) 83 677 7949
E: paolo.longo@santaferelo.com
To read more immigration updates, click here
About our Immigration Services
Our immigration services manage thousands of visa applications every year for a multitude of international companies. Our experienced immigration experts and migration agents handle the immigration process for you and provide simple reporting and guidance on immigration matters.
