The Indian government has updated the rules for foreigners entering the country amid the easing of global restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more about the changes to India's entry rules that will come into effect in February 2023 and the prerequisites for the approval of the new rules for travelers

India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved new rules for entry into the country, which will come into effect from February 13, 2023. The innovations are related to the decline of the Covid-19 epidemic. The recommendations include a list of actions for international travelers and workers at points of entry.

Prerequisites for approval of new entry rules

At the end of 2022, when China announced the easing of anti-covid restrictions, a new outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic began in China. In connection with this, a number of countries of the world again began to strengthen quarantine measures for international travelers. In particular, the Indian government has approved restrictions for tourists from 6 countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Travelers were required to provide a negative PCR test on arrival, which was taken within 72 hours prior to travel, and to complete an online traveler form on the Air Suvidha portal before boarding the aircraft.

Now, with the global incidence of Covid-19 declining, India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revised its guidelines.

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Changes to India entry rules in February 2023

Mandatory PCR testing has been cancelled

The Government of India has abolished the mandatory requirement of a negative PCR test for travelers arriving from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and China.

Canceled forms of self-declaration

Travelers no longer need to upload their test results on the Air Suvidha portal and provide health information through an online declaration.

Vaccination

Tourists are recommended to take a course of vaccination before traveling in accordance with the schedule in the country of residence.

During the trip

Tourists will be informed about COVID-19 and disease prevention: wearing masks and keeping a distance. If a passenger develops symptoms of COVID-19 during the trip, he will be isolated and sent to a medical facility for further treatment.

Upon arrival

Disembarkation will be carried out in compliance with the distance, and passengers will also be subjected to a thermal imaging inspection. If during the examination the passenger shows symptoms of coronavirus, he will be taken to a medical facility.

Testing

Testing has been introduced to monitor infections among passengers arriving in India. A random 2% of passengers from each flight will be tested for coronavirus infection (regardless of country of origin or arrival).

Rules for children

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing upon arrival, but if they develop symptoms, they will be tested and treated according to established protocol.

Importantly! Tourists are responsible for self-monitoring of their health and reporting any symptoms to the nearest health facility or national or state hotline.

More information about the types of visas for entering India and ways to obtain citizenship in the country can be found at the link.