COVID-19: Countries you can travel to with an Indian passport

As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, as on December 10, 2020, there were 23 countries that an Indian national could travel to in the present scenario of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reciprocal in nature entitling the airlines from both the countries to enjoy similar benefits, Air Travel Arrangements or Transport Bubbles are “temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The creation of a bilateral corridor allows for international flights between the two countries, without the requirement of registering with the government for flying permissions.

As on December 10, 2020, such air travel arrangements exist between India and the following 23 countries –

COVID-19: countries with air travel arrangements with India
UAE	Afghanistan	Maldives
UK	Bahrain	Nepal
US	Bangladesh	Netherlands
Canada	Bhutan	Nigeria
France	Ethiopia	Oman
Germany	Iraq	Qatar
Japan	Kenya	Rwanda
Tanzania	Ukraine	-

 The United Arab Emirates [UAE]

India has established an air transport bubble with the UAE. Carriers from either of the countries can now operate services between the countries and carry the following categories of individuals on their flights –

From India to the UAE

• UAE nationals
• Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship [ICA] approved UAE residents
• Any Indian national – or that of Bhutan or Nepal – headed for the UAE or any country in Africa or South America, holding a valid visa of their destination country.

From the UAE to India

• Indian nationals – or nationals of Bhutan or Nepal – stranded in the UAE or any country in Africa or South America.
• All Overseas Citizen of India [OCI] and Person of Indian Origin [PIO] cardholders with passports of any country.
• UAE nationals and foreign nationals [from any country in Africa or South America only] that have the intention of visiting India for any purpose except that of tourism.

The United Kingdom [UK]

Through an air travel arrangement between the two countries, Indian and UK carriers are now permitted to operate services between India and the UK, carrying certain categories of individuals on such flights –

From India to the UK

• Stranded UK nationals/residents, foreigners transiting through the UK. This includes the spouses of such individuals, whether accompanying or otherwise.
• An Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa, with the UK as their destination.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports to be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

From the UK to India

• Stranded Indian nationals.
• All OCI cardholders holding UK passports.
• Foreigners [including diplomats] that are eligible for entering India as per the latest guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA].

The United States of America [USA]

By the means of an air travel arrangement between the USA and India, Indian and US carriers are now permitted to operate services between India and the USA, carrying the following categories of individuals on such flights –

• US legal permanent residents, US citizens, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas.
• Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports to be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

From the USA to India

• Stranded Indian nationals
• All OCI cardholders with US passports.
• Foreigners [including diplomats] that are eligible for entering India as per the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

Canada

Air Canada and Indian carriers can now operate services between Canada and India, carrying the following categories of individuals on such flights –

From India to Canada

• Stranded Canadian residents/nationals and foreigners with valid visa for Canada that are eligible for entering Canada.
• Nationals of India that have valid visas for entering Canada.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports will be allowed to enter Canada, subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

From Canada to India

• Stranded Indian nationals.
• All OCI cardholders, with passport of Canada.
• Foreign nationals [including diplomats] that are eligible for entering India as per the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

France

With the means of an air bubble arrangement between India and France, Indian and French carriers are now allowed to operate services between the two countries, carrying the following categories of persons on such flights –

From India to France

• Stranded nationals/residents of France, foreign nationals headed to EU/Schengen area, Africa or South America only and transiting through France.
• Any Indian national – or national of Nepal or Bhutan – headed to any country in EU/Schengen area, Africa or South America only and with valid visa of their destination country.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports to be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. The destination of such seamen is to be countries in the EU/Schengen area, Africa or South America.

From France to India

• Indian nationals – or nationals of Nepal or Bhutan – stranded in any country in EU/Schengen Area, Africa, or South America.
• All OCI and PIO cardholders, holding passport of any country.
• All foreign nationals – any country in EU/Schengen area, Africa, South America – intending to visit India for any reason other than tourism.
• Seamen from EU/Schengen area, Africa, South America.

Germany

As India has entered into an air bubble arrangement with Germany, Indian and German carriers can operate services between India and Germany, carrying the following categories of persons on such flights –

From India to Germany

• Stranded nationals/residents of Germany, foreign nationals with their destination as EU/Schengen area, Africa, America and transiting through Germany.
• Any Indian national – or national of Bhutan or Nepal – headed for any country in EU/Schengen area, South America or Africa and holding a valid visa of their destination country.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports to be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. With their destination being countries in the EU/Schengen area, Africa or South America.

From Germany to India

• Indian nationals – or nationals of Nepal or Bhutan – stranded in any country in EU/Schengen area, Africa, South America.
• All OCI and PIO cardholders, holding passport of any country.
• All foreign nationals – any country in EU/Schengen area, Africa, South America – intending to visit India for any reason other than tourism.
• Seamen from EU/Schengen, Africa, South America.

Japan

With the creation of an air bubble between the two countries, Japanese and Indian carriers are now allowed to operate services between Japan and India, carrying the following categories of persons on such flights –

From India to Japan

• Stranded nationals/residents of Japan and foreign nationals with valid visas of Japan.
• Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Japan.

From Japan to India

• Stranded Indian nationals.
• All OCI cardholders with passports of Japan.
• Foreigners [including diplomats] that have a valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under the guidelines by the Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA].

Afghanistan

India has established an air transport bubble with Afghanistan. Afghan and Indian carriers can now operate services between the 2 countries and carry the following categories of individuals on their flights –

From India to Afghanistan

• Afghan nationals/residents and foreign nationals holding valid visas for Afghanistan [if required].
• Any Indian national holding any type of valid Afghanistan visa. The individual must be have Afghanistan as their destination.

From Afghanistan to India

• Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan.
• All OCI cardholders, with Afghanistan passports.
• Foreigners [including diplomats] holding valid visas issued by an Indian mission in any category covered under the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

Bahrain

Through an air travel arrangement between the countries, Air India and Gulf Air are now permitted to operate services between Bahrain and India, carrying the following categories of individuals –

From India to Bahrain

• Nationals/residents of Bahrain
• Any Indian national holding any valid Bahrain visa. The individual must be travelling to Bahrain alone.

From Bahrain to India

• Indians stranded in Bahrain.
• All OCI cardholders with passport of Bahrain.
• Nationals of Bahrain [including diplomats] holding valid visas issued by an Indian mission in any category covered under the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

Bangladesh

On October 28, 2020, India entered into an air travel arrangement with Bangladesh. This arrangement will be valid until January 31, 2021.

Carriers of Bangladesh and India can now operate services between the 2 countries, carrying the following on such flights –

From India to Bangladesh

• Bangladeshi residents/nationals holding valid visas from Bangladesh.
• Any Indian national holding any valid Bangladesh visa.

From Bangladesh to India

• Indian nationals.
• All OCI cardholders with Bangladeshi passports.
• Nationals/residents of Bangladesh [including diplomats] and foreigners [including diplomats] holding valid visas issued by an Indian mission in any category covered under the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

Bhutan

With an air travel arrangement, Bhutanese and Indian carriers can now operate services between the 2 countries, carrying the following on such flights –

From India to Bhutan

• Residents/nationals of Bhutan and foreign nationals holding valid visas from Bhutan [if required].
• Any Indian national.

From Bhutan to India

• Indian nationals.
• All OCI cardholders holding passports of Bhutan.
• Nationals/residents [including diplomats] and foreign nationals [including diplomats] holding valid visas issued by an Indian mission in any category covered under the latest Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] guidelines.

Ethiopia

As per an air travel arrangement, Ethiopian and Indian carriers can now operate services between the two countries, carrying the following categories of individuals on such flights –

From India to Ethiopia

• Stranded nationals/residents of Ethiopia, foreigners going to Africa and transiting through Ethiopia.
• Any national of India – or a national of Nepal or Bhutan – going to any African country and holding a valid visa for their country of destination.
• Seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen with Indian passports to be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. The destination of the seamen should be countries of Africa only.

From Ethiopia to India

• Nationals of India, or Nepali or Bhutani nationals, stranded in any of the African countries.
• All OCI or PIO cardholders that have a passport of any country.
• Foreign nationals from any African country intending to visit India for a purpose other than that of tourism.
• Seamen from African countries.

Iraq

Through an air bubble arrangement between the countries, Iraqi and Indian carriers are now allowed to operate services between India and Iraq, carrying the following categories of persons on such flights –

From India to Iraq

• Residents or nationals of Iraq.
• Any Indian national – or national of Nepal or Bhutan – with Iraq as their destination and holding a valid Iraqi visa.

From Iraq to India

• Nationals of India, Nepal, or Bhutan stranded in Iraq.
• All OCI and PIO cardholders, holding passport of any country.
• All Iraqi nationals [including diplomats] intending to visit India for any purpose other than tourism.

Kenya

With the creation of an air bubble, the carriers of India and Kenya can now operate services between the two countries, carrying certain categories of individuals on such flights –

From India to Kenya

• Resident or nationals of any country in Africa.
• Any Indian national – or national of Bhutan or Nepal – travelling to any African country, holding a valid visa for their country of destination.

From Kenya to India

• Indian nationals or that of Nepal or Bhutan stranded in any country in Africa.
• All OCI and PIO cardholders, holding passport of any country.
• All African nationals [including diplomats] intending to visit India for any purpose other than that of tourism.

In addition to the above-mentioned, certain other countries – Maldives, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ukraine – have also entered into air travel arrangements with India, allowing the carriers of the respective countries to operate to and from India, carrying specific categories of individuals.

As per a directive by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, “Before making any reservations in the flights being operated under the above arrangements, the passengers must confirm that they would be allowed entry into the destination country.”

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