Immigration update: India revised guidelines for international arrivals

India has revised the travel guidelines for international travelers arriving from specific countries, effective from 1st January 2023

Who will be affected?

All international travelers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Background

India has been formulating the guidelines for international travelers by taking a risk-based approach.

Impact

As previously reported, the Government Authorities had re-introduced travel guidelines.

In the light of increasing trajectory of COVID -19 cases, the authorities have issued revised travel guidelines on 29th December 2022.

1. Planning for travel

1. All travelers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their Country.
2. Travelers from high-risk countries (China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand) should complete these additional steps:

1. 1. Submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days’ travel details.
   2. Upload negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report** on the Air Suvidha portal (The test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey).
   3. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.
   4. They should also give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the journey, that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority for any post arrival requirement including home/institutional quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted

2. During travel

1. In-flight announcement about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed (preferable use of masks and following physical distancing) shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry.
2. Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol i.e. the said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and moved to an isolation facility subsequently for follow up treatment.

3. On arrival

1. De-boarding should be done, ensuring physical distancing.
2. Thermal screening shall be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry.
3. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated, and taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol (as above).
4. The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed:

1. 1. A sub-section (2% of the total passengers* on the flight) shall undergo random post arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
   2. Such travelers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport thereafter.
   3. If such travelers’ samples are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
   4. They shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.
   5. All travelers should self-monitor their health post arrival and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms.

*Children under 12 years of age are exempt from post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol

Implementation date

1st January 2023

Santa Fe recommendation

We encourage all travelers to continue to practice hygiene and safety measures.

If you have questions about India immigration, or how to enter India, please reach out to your local Santa Fe Consultant, and we will be able to advise you further.

For more information or assistance please contact:

Roshni Ramachandran
Head ─ Immigration Services, India
Santa Fe Relocation
Mumbai, India
Direct: +91 22 450 24527
E: Roshni.Ramachandran@staging.santaferelo.com

Paolo Longo
General Manager, South Africa
Santa Fe Relocation
Johannesburg, South Africa
D: +27 (0) 10 595 2337
M: +27 (0) 83 677 7949
E: Paolo.Longo@staging.santaferelo.com

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