If you have been planning to travel from the US to India, there is good news. The CDC and State Department have eased COVID restrictions and moved India into the ‘Level 1’ category from the ‘Level 3’ group. The CDC had devised five levels that measured the COVID risk in different countries, ranging from ‘very high’ level to ‘low level’.The US now allows the entry of fully vaccinated foreign travellers to the country.
India Moved To ‘Level 1’ From ‘Level 3’
The passengers must be fully vaccinated and they also need to undergo a negative test prior to 72 hours of boarding the flight. Passengers must be fully inoculated with vaccines that are authorised by the Food and Drug Administration or have an Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization. The USA has declared India safe and issued a ‘Level One’ notice for all citizens travelling to India. This means that fully vaccinated travellers visiting India will have a low risk of getting infected from Covid-19 and developing symptoms.
As India opened its doors to fully vaccinated international tourist from all over the world beginning Monday November 15, Indiatourism Mumbai accorded warm welcome the first set of International tourists who landed at Mumbai International Airport by Air France flight AF218 pic.twitter.com/4Nsiul44qi
— Ministry of Tourism (@tourismgoi) November 15, 2021
Did The US Ease Travel Restrictions For Indian Passengers?
The US had eased travel advisory for India from the highest Level 4 to Level 3, which urged citizens to reconsider travel. And now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for India due to dip in cases in the country. The State Department said, “Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorised vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers,”
Can You & Your Family Travel To The US If You Hold Valid L Visas?
You can travel to the US without any restrictions if you hold an L visa as nonimmigrant visa holders are not subject to the travel ban. Your family including your spouse and unmarried children can also travel to the US if you hold L visas. However, your family must present proof of the qualifying relationship to airline officials while travelling to the United States.
Non-U.S. citizen parents of minor US citizen children, including parents holding valid H-1B & H-4 visas, are not subject to travel suspension and may enter the United States without receiving an exception. Please be prepared to present proof of relationship to airline officials.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 5, 2021
Also read: 6 Indian Organisations Where You Can Volunteer While Travelling For A Rewarding Trip
Can You Travel To The US If You Need To Join University On M-1 Visa?
Students can travel to the US if the start date of their program is August 1, 2021, or later. Are you looking to apply for new F-1or M-1 visas? You should check the status of visa services at the nearest Embassy. Applicants who qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will be considered for an NIE to travel. However, the U.S. Consulates and the Embassy in India are not scheduling visa interviews at present mandatory for most visa applicants. If you already have a valid F-1 or M-1 visa, you may spend 14 days in a third country before arriving in the US.