Many Indian students travelling to Canada and US are choosing Serbia as their transit point. Since Serbia is Europe’s only visa-free country, Indians are finding it easy to reach other destinations via Serbia. However, the seven-day quarantine requirement by the Serbian government has put Indian students in a fix. While the new quarantine rules came into effect on July 9, the Indian travellers were in the dark till they landed in Belgrade.
Passengers Travelling Via Serbia Must Undergo A 7-Day Mandatory Quarantine
The Indian Embassy in Serbia intervened and helped those stuck for their onward travel. Since Canada has suspended direct flights from India, many students are taking the Serbia spending up to ₹1.8 lakh on air tickets and two to three days of stay in Belgrade. On the other hand, US needs Indian passengers to spend 14 days outside India to be allowed into US. US-Bound Indian Students Do Not Require Vaccine Proof For Entry; All Other Details Here.
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Indians stranded at Belgrade Airport who have flight in 2-3 days may stay at airport. PCR Test will be done at airport 1 day before departure. Persons with flights after 7 days need to register at https://t.co/LCeNnFMThL and can go to hotel. @MEAIndia @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar
— India in Serbia (@IndiaInSerbia) July 11, 2021
Indian Embassy In Serbia Is Helping Indians Travel Onward
Many students did not have the money to spend seven days in Serbia and wish to reach Canada at the earliest. Many families with children were stuck at the airport too. In a tweet, the Indian embassy said ” Embassy officials are in touch with the airport authorities and airlines to ensure the departure of all Indians.” Lufthansa said in a statement “We are working closely with Serbian authorities and the Indian embassy to support our passengers.”
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Out of 205 stranded Indians at Belgrade airport, 120 are traveling today by Lufthansa. Indians travelling by other airlines will fly today or tomorrow. Emb officials are in touch with airport authorities/airlines to ensure dep of all Indians. @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia @MEAIndia
— India in Serbia (@IndiaInSerbia) July 12, 2021
Since Serbia allows visa-free entry to Indians for 30 days, it has quickly turned into a tourist and transit destination. However, the quarantine rules are forcing students and families to change itineraries and reschedule travel plans. Indians are also opting for Egypt and Mexico to travel to Canada and the US. Education consultants are advising students against travelling to Canada and the US via a third country.