India

Traveling From India In Transport Bubbles

Want to know about traveling from India in transport bubbles? Read on to know everything about air transport bubble flights from India.

While domestic passenger flights resumed on May 25^th, international travel is only just beginning to open up. People are still wary to travel for leisure but there are a number of people who were displaced by the pandemic and now must get back to their homes or others who need to travel for personal reasons.

If you’re one of them, here’s everything you need to know about traveling from India to the rest of the world.

Read: 19 Countries That Have Imposed Travel Restrictions On India

Traveling From India in Transport Bubbles – What Is It?

Apart from the Vande Bharat flights, a number of Indian and international flight operators have started operating flights from India to the USA, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, the Maldives and the UAE.

This travel to subject to air transport bubbles between the two countries and conditions set by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the other country’s government.

Transport bubbles refer to temporary arrangements between any two countries. This arrangement allows flights to ply back and forth between the two countries with both countries enjoying equal benefits.

The airlines operating these flights include Air India, United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Air France, Etihad, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic. Indian carriers- Vistara and Spice Jet may restart international flights soon.

Traveling From India in Transport Bubbles – Arrangements

Inbound flights to India can carry

Stranded Indian nationals
OCI cardholders
Diplomats and foreigners who have been permitted to travel to India by the Ministry of Home Affairs
Categories of foreigners allowed to travel to India include:
- Business visas except for the B-3 visa
- Healthcare professionals
- Heath researchers
- Technicians and engineers needed by the Indian health sector facilities
- Design, managerial and engineering specialists traveling on behalf of foreign businesses located in India

People permitted to travel on outbound flights to the USA

Indians with valid US visas
US citizens
Green cardholders
Foreign nationals with valid US visas

People permitted to travel on outbound flights to the UK and Canada

Indians with valid visas
Stranded UK and Canadian citizens/ residents
Foreign nationals transiting through the UK
Seamen of Indian origin and all foreign nationalities

People permitted to travel on outbound flights to France and Germany

Indians destined for the EU with valid visas
Seamen of Indian origin and all foreign nationalities
Stranded EU citizens. Residents
Foreign nationals destined for other parts of Europe but transiting through France or Germany

People permitted to travel on outbound flights to the UAE

Indians destined for the UAE with a valid UAE visa
UAE nationals
ICA approved UAE residents destined for UAE

All travelers must carry a certificate proving that they have been tested for the COVID-19 virus with a negative result. They must also comply with local and national testing and quarantine requirements.

For example, France conducts on-the-spot tests for international travelers while the UK has a mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirement.