As with all countries across the world, India is continuously updating its guidelines on international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most recently, India announced special operating procedures for priority vaccination of people traveling abroad for education or employment as well as the contingent for the Tokyo Olympics. The government is allowing early administration of the second Covishield dose in these cases if the travel dates fall before the end of the 84-day gap. CoWin vaccination certificates will be linked to passports (see link to MoHFW notice).

India also extended its ban on scheduled international flights until the end of June 2021. Air India has tweeted it is offering various waivers/flexibility to passengers holding tickets for international travel in case of sudden restrictions due to the pandemic. Starting 22 May 2021, all international air passengers from India must produce a mandatory negative RT-PCR report with a QR code linked to the original report.

In related news, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that starting 21 June 2021, all citizens above the age of 18 years will be eligible for free vaccines. Modi also asserted that the vaccine supply would increase significantly in the country soon as more candidates finalize trials.

India extended its ban on scheduled international flights until 30 June 2021. Repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission and scheduled flights under travel bubbles that are not suspended by other countries will continue; those eligible as per government norms and public health screening standards will be able to fly to and from India on these flights (see Vande Bharat Phase 11 schedule).

This article was first published by India Briefing, which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, India, and Russia. Readers may write to [email protected] for more support.