IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian government has added countries and provided additional guidance on its air travel bubbles with 34 countries.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 16, India has air travel bubbles with 34 countries, including Australia, Canada, France and the U.S.
  • The air travel bubbles provide similar benefits and permissions for travelers from India and the respective destination country.
    • Air travel bubbles allow eligible individuals to fly to and from India even though most commercial air travel remains suspended.
  • A full list of India’s transport bubbles is available here.

Additional Information: Individuals are advised to check the entry, health and eligibility requirements of their destination country before making flight reservations.

BAL Analysis: India continues to restrict air travel into the country; however, the air bubble travel arrangements permit passenger services between India and participating countries. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Indian visa processing provider has announced it is now accepting visa applications.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 13, India’s visa processing provider will accept applications in person and through the mail.
  • Visa applicants can now use this website to register, pay fees, get receipts, and create courier labels for shipping.
  • As of Dec. 10, applicants wanting to apply in person can schedule an appointment here.

Additional Information: More information regarding India’s visa processing provider and instructions on the application process can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The announcement is welcome news for individuals intending to travel to India and in need of a visa as Indian consulates have been processing visas on a case-by-case basis since Nov. 2, 2020.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian government has updated its guidance for international arrivals and expanded the at-risk countries list that must follow additional entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec 1, individuals intending to travel to India must:
    • Submit a self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal.
    • Upload a negative PCR test result that was taken within 72 hours of departure.
    • Submit a signed affidavit attesting to the authenticity of the test results.
  • As of Dec. 1, travelers from the EU, Brazil, Botswana, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the U.K. and Zimbabwe must:
    • Take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and receive negative results before leaving the airport.
    • Quarantine at home for seven days and taken another test on the eighth day of arrival.
    • Self-monitor for another seven days after test results are received.

Additional Information: If travelers from at-risk countries test positive for COVID-19 they must quarantine at a designated facility. More information regarding entry requirements and health protocols is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@balglobal.com.

The Indian government has updated its COVID-19 entry requirements for all international arrivals.

Key Points:

  • As of Oct. 25, all internationals travelers must:
    • Submit a self-declaration form through the Air Suvidha portal before scheduled departure.
    • Upload proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of scheduled departure.
    • Submit a signed declaration confirming all submitted information is authentic.
  • Travelers from Category A countries must submit proof of vaccination to be exempt from quarantine requirements. Category A countries include Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Lebanon, Nepal, Serbia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
  • Travelers from “Countries at risk” or Category A countries who are not fully vaccinated must take a post-arrival COVID-19 test, quarantine at home for seven days and take an additional COVID-19 on the eighth day of arrival.
  • More information on entry requirements for specific countries can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs recently announced that it would start approving tourist visas and allowing tourist travel.

Key Points:

  • For the purposes of group tourism, foreign nationals will be permitted to enter India, on tourist visas (when traveling on chartered flights) from Oct. 15, 2021.
  • All individual foreign tourists are to be permitted to enter India from Nov. 15, 2021.
  • Beginning Oct. 15, foreign nationals will be able to travel to India on tourist visas through chartered flights.
  • To enter India for tourism, whether it is consular processed or is an e-tourist visa, individuals must apply for a new tourist visa, and the visa should have been issued on or after Oct. 6, 2021.
  • All tourist visas issued before Oct. 6, 2021, are not valid for travel to India.
  • Indian consular posts are likely to grant tourist visas for single entry with a validity of 30 days.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals who are traveling to India are required to have a valid passport and a visa from an Indian Mission/Post or an eVisa from the Bureau of Immigration to enter the country. E-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, e-Conference and e-Emergency X-Misc Visas have been available since the end of March 2021; e-visas for tourism have not been available. Individuals can apply for e-Visas on this website and are advised to review related-travel restrictions found here traveling to the country.

BAL Analysis: The re-opening of tourist visas is welcome news for many as they have not been available for more than a year. Employers and travelers are reminded that that travelers must obtain a business visa or e-Business Visa to conduct business activities while in India. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India for another month.

Key Points:

  • The flight suspension will remain in place through Oct. 31.
  • Authorities may allow select scheduled international flights on a case-by-case basis.
  • International cargo flights continue to operate normally as approved by the DGCA.
  • Evacuation and air bubble flights continue to operate.

Background: In March 2020, all commercial international flights were suspended, and the suspension has since been extended on a month-to-month basis.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq reduced travel restrictions to and from India on Aug. 31.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals who have visited India on or after July 1 may now enter the Kurdistan Region if they:
    • Present a negative PCR test and conduct an additional test upon arrival.
    • Quarantine for 14 days at a government determined location.
  • All individuals traveling to or from India through the Kurdistan Region must pay for the PCR test and quarantine.

Additional Information: The KRG has yet to provide information on whether or not Indian nationals will be allowed to enter the region.

BAL Analysis: All individuals traveling through the Kurdistan Region should be prepared to present negative PCR test results, conduct an additional PCR test and undergo a 14-day quarantine. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India for another month.

Key Points:

  • The flight suspension will remain in place through Sept. 30.
  • Authorities may allow select scheduled international flights on a case-by-case basis.
  • International cargo flights continue to operate normally as approved by the DGCA.
  • Vande Bharat Mission and air bubble flights continue to operate.

Additional Information: In March 2020, all commercial international flights were suspended. The suspension has been extended on a rolling month-to-month basis since its enactment.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Some countries have lifted or reduced restrictions on travel from India following a recent decrease of COVID-19 cases. The countries that have recently reduced restrictions include:

  • Australia. As of Aug. 10, the Australian government removed India from the list of “high risk” countries and ended additional restrictions imposed on outbound and inbound travel from the country.
  • France. India is currently on the amber list. Fully vaccinated travelers face no restrictions when entering France. Unvaccinated travelers must have a compelling reason to enter the country.
  • Spain. Individuals who are fully vaccinated and have a valid Schengen visa may enter the country if they abide by current regulations. Individuals can apply online for visa processing at the Delhi center.
  • United Arab Emirates. Residents of the UAE may travel to Abu Dhabi from India if they are fully vaccinated and adhere to applicable health and safety rules. UAE residents, Golden Visa holders and visitors may travel to Dubai from India if they adhere to the government’s health and safety procedures.
    •  Visas on arrival are not available for individuals who have been in India 14 days before arrival and for Indian nationals with visas or residence permits issued by the U.S., the U.K. or any EU member state.
  • United Kingdom. The Home Office moved India to the amber list meaning travelers may enter the U.K. if they adhere to the amber list health requirements.

Additional Information: While some countries lift or reduce restrictions on travel from India, others have left them in place, including Canada and the U.S.

BAL Analysis: Recent changes make travel from India to certain countries more feasible. Countries may add restrictions with little to no notice if COVID-19 cases increase in India. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian government introduced the new e-Emergency X-Misc Visa for Afghan nationals wanting to leave Afghanistan due to the Taliban takeover of the country.

Key Points:

  • All Afghan citizens may apply for the new e-Emergency X-Misc Visa to receive a six-month emergency visa.
  • Applications must be submitted through this official website to fast-track processing of the visa application.
  • The new visa provides entry into the country only and does not grant the ability to work legally.

BAL Analysis: The new e-visa was introduced in order to help Afghanistan nationals obtain a visa without having to travel to the Indian Embassy. BAL will continue to monitor these developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.