People travelling for studies, people travelling for leisure, people travelling for business: different purposes invite people to travel abroad. But with the pandemic raging on, not everyone is permitted to travel in and out of India. Commercial international flights remain suspended till August 31, with certain exceptions. Read on to know who can travel in and out of India in August:
People Who Can Travel To India
Currently, air bubbles have been set up with various countries to allow certain people to travel across borders. The MHA announced that OCI cardholders from countries with which India shares air bubbles can enter the country. A notification issued by the Central government on June 30 states that apart from stranded Indian citizens, some other foreign nationals can also travel to India. These are the categories of OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) Cardholders permitted to enter India, as per the memorandum released by the Ministry of Home Affairs:
- Minor children who hold OCI Cards and whose parents are Indian nationals.
- OCI Cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like critical medical conditions of immediate family members or death.
- Married couples where one spouse is an Indian national and one is an OCI.
- Students who are OCI Cardholders, where at least one of their parents is an Indian citizen or an OCI Cardholder.
Also Read: US Citizens Barred From Entering India, Lifts Travel Ban For Other Countries
People Who Can Travel Out Of India
Another notification by the MHA dated July 1 states that people wishing to travel out of India for tourism/leisure purposes cannot do so. It further reads that people who are citizens of their destination countries, or have ‘Green Card or Permanent Residency Status or OCI Card or any special status’ in those countries are allowed to travel there. Also, those stranded in the neighbouring countries are allowed to exit through India. Lastly, Indian nationals with any visas for a particular country (other than tourism visas), with a minimum residual validity of one month can travel to that country. Additionally, the MHA announced on August 7 that Indians can travel to countries with which it shares air bubbles on any visa type.
Also Read: No Covid Tests For Kids Under 12 Flying From India To UAE: Air India Express
International Flights Operating In August
Cargo and repatriation flights are currently in operation this month. The government has also announced flights between India and countries like US, Germany, France and UK. As of August 7, Air India has scheduled repatriation flights from and to various cities in the UAE, under the Vande Bharat Mission. Meanwhile, private carrier SpiceJet has secured slots at London Heathrow Airport, effective from September 1.
Domestic flights in the country resumed operations from May 25, even with the pandemic raging on.
First Published: August 07, 2020 1:00 PM