News

International flights: Who are eligible to fly to these 13 countries?

The civil aviation ministry has released a detailed guideline on who can travel to these countries from India along with the criteria for travelling to India from these countries. India has already established air bubble agreements with 13 countries, while more such agreements are on the pipeline. The civil aviation ministry has released a detailed guideline on who can travel to these countries from India along with the criteria for travelling to India from these countries. 1. Afghanistan From India to Afghanistan i. Afghanistan nationals/residents and foreign nationals holding valid Afghanistan visas, if required; and ii. Any Indian national, holding any type of valid visa from Afghanistan and destined for Afghanistan only. “It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Afghanistan with the particular visa category before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger,” the ministry’s document said. From Afghanistan to India i. Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan; ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Afghanistan passports iii. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated June 30 as amended from time to time, the document said. 2. Bahrain From India to Bahrain i. Bahraini nationals/residents ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from the Kingdom of Bahrain and destined for Bahrain only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Bahrain with the particular visa category before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger. From Bahrain to India i. Indian nationals stranded in Bahrain ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Bahraini passports; and iii. Bahraini nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines. 3. Canada From India to Canada i. Stranded Canadian nationals/residents and foreigners with valid Canadian visa eligible to enter Canada; ii. Indian nationals with valid visas eligible to enter Canada. The airlines concerned will ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals. iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities, seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the ministry of shipping From Canada to India i. Stranded Indian nationals ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Canadian passports; and iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India as per MHA guidelines 4. France From India to France i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU; ii. Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. From France to India i. Stranded Indian nationals; ii. Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines . 5. Germany From India to Germany i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU; ii. Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through Germany or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. From Germany to India i. Stranded Indian nationals; ii. Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines. 6. Iraq From India to Iraq i. Nationals/residents of Iraq; ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Iraq and destined for Iraq only. From Iraq to India i. Indian nationals stranded in Iraq; ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Iraq; and iii. Nationals of Iraq (including diplomats), holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under (MHA) guidelines. 7. Japan From India to Japan i. Stranded nationals/residents of Japan and foreign nationals holding valid Japanese visas subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the government of Japan at the time of travel; and ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Japan subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the government of Japan at the time of travel. From Japan to India i. Stranded Indian nationals; ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Japan; and iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines. 8. Maldives From India to Maldives i. Maldivian nationals/residents and foreign nationals holding valid Maldivian visas, if required; ii. Any Indian national. From Maldives to India i. Indian nationals ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Maldivian passports, and iii. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines. Nigeria From India to Nigeria i. Stranded Nigerian nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Africa and transiting through Nigeria or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid Nigerian visa and destined for any country in Africa. iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. From Nigeria to India i. Indian nationals stranded in any country in Africa; ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Nigerian passports; iii. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports issued by any country in Africa who are eligible to enter India as per MHA guidelines. iv. Foreigners (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines 10. Qatar From India to Qatar i. Qatari nationals ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid Qatar visa and destined for Qatar only. From Qatar to India i. Indian nationals stranded in Qatar; ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Qatari passports, and iii. Qatari nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines. United Arab Emirates (UAE) From India to UAE i. UAE nationals. ii. ICA-approved UAE residents destined for UAE only. iii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa and destined for UAE only. From UAE to India i. Stranded Indian nationals ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UAE passports; and iii. UAE nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under MHA guidelines United Kingdom (UK) From India to UK i. Stranded UK nationals/residents, foreign nationals transiting through UK or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise. ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa and destined for UK only. iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping. From UK to India i. Stranded Indian nationals ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UK passports; and iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India. United States of America (USA) From India to USA i. US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas; ii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa. iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping From USA to India i. Stranded Indian nationals ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding US passports; and iii. Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India.

Read more

Kullu tourism industry limps back to normal

Hotels in Kullu district have started opening gradually, bringing the tourism industry back on track. Around 50 per cent of the hospitality units in the Manikaran valley resumed operations on Tuesday. Hotels at Jibhi and the Tirthan valley in Banjar subdivision resumed operations on September 1. Hoteliers of Manali have also decided to reopen their establishments from October 1. Some hospitality units had already started functioning after the government allowed the entry of tourists with some restrictions on July 3. Kishan Thakur, president of Manikaran Valley Hotel Association, said although there were fewer bookings, more queries were being received every day. He added that after the removal of the condition of e-pass now, more tourists were expected to come. He said that the hotel owners had provided training to their staff to ensure safe operations in the wake of the Covid crisis. He added that operations would be carried out as per the guidelines of the government. Tourism in the Manikaran valley is expected to gain momentum before Dasehra. The valley is a favourite spot among foreign tourists, especially from Israel. Many pilgrims from Punjab also come here to pay obeisance at a gurdwara. There are over 300 hospitality units in the Manikaran valley, including hotels, home stay, guesthouses, cottages and camping sites. Businessmen have suffered huge losses due to the complete closure of the industry in wake of the Covid crisis. Some hoteliers, on the other hand, were still reluctant to start operations in view of the less tourist footfall. They say it would be difficult for them to meet the expenses in the present situation. They urged the government to provide relief to the tourism industry till the situation normalises.

Read more

South Africa to reopen to international visitors in October

South Africa is preparing to reopen its borders to international travellers for the first time since March. In an address to the nation earlier, president Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the process would begin on October 1st. The move comes as the country enters national lockdown alert ‘level one’ from Sunday, following a significant decrease in infections. South Africa is currently recording an average of fewer than 2,000 Covid-19 cases per day. Ramaphosa, however, said travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that are deemed high risk, with a list of these countries set to be announced in the coming days. All international travellers will be required to present a Covid-19 free certificate dated no later than 72 hours within their date of arrival or quarantine on arrival. Three international airports will open – OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport – as well as one port. Kgomotso Ramothea, acting hub head UK & Ireland, South African Tourism, said: “This is an extremely positive step in the right direction for tourism in South Africa. “While there is more detail to come in the next few days, this progress sends a really positive message to the world, that South Africa is on the road to tourism recovery. “The UK is our number one international travel market – many of these are repeat visitors, who have an emotional connection to South Africa and we look forward to welcoming them back to experience our beautiful country once again, as well as first time travellers who have always had South Africa on their bucket list and who we hope will seize the opportunity to visit after a difficult year.” With the announcement, Virgin Atlantic confirmed plans to resume flights to the country from October 18th. The South African reopening is part of a growing trend, with data from the UNWTO this week showing more than half of countries have now loosened restrictions on travel imposed at the height of the outbreak.

Read more

India now has an air bubble arrangement with Japan

India has established an air travel bubble with Japan allowing Indian and Japanese carriers to operate services between the two countries. The arrangement allows stranded nationals and residents of Japan and foreign nationals holding valid Japanese visas to travel from India to Japan, subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the Japanese government at the time of travel. Also, any Indian national holding any type of valid visa can travel to Japan, subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed. Before issuing the tickets or boarding pass, airlines have been asked to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals with a particular visa category to enter Japan. The travel from Japan to India is open to stranded Indian nationals, all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Japan and foreigners (including diplomats), holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated June 30, 2020 as amended from time to time. Along with Japan, India has also established travel bubbles with Iraq and Afghanistan. With this, India’s air bubble arrangement now extends to 13 countries including USA, UK, France, Germany, Canada, the Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Nigeria. Last month, Union Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri had mentioned in a series of tweets that India is now negotiating with 13 other countries to establish air bubbles for international flight operations. He had mentioned, “These countries include Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea & Thailand. The ongoing negotiations will benefit stranded Indians and nationals of these countries.”

Read more

Agra hotels set to welcome tourists as Taj Mahal reopens from September 21

The famed monuments, which attract people all across the world, were shut in March due to the nationwide lockdown in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to this, the hotel industry was shut for over five months and suffered losses. Hoteliers have started preparation for the tourists after the government decided to reopen the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort for the general public from September 21. The famed monuments, which attract people all across the world, were shut in March due to the nationwide lockdown in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to this, the hotel industry was shut for over five months and suffered losses. Speaking to ANI, Rajkant, a hotel owner said, “We were waiting for the government to reopen Taj Mahal under Unlock 4 guidelines as they were reopening everything in a phased manner.” He said the District Magistrate has recently given orders to reopen the Taj Mahal from September 21 and added that it will also bring the tourism industry back on track. “Businessmen are happy with this decision as we host people from across the world who come here to see Taj Mahal,” Rajkant said. Another hotel owner, Rashmi Singh said, “Our businesses were impacted due to coronavirus. Due to this, we had to ask some of our hotel staff to leave while the remaining worked on deducted salaries.”

Read more

West Bengal: National parks and forests to reopen for tourists from September 23

Forests in West Bengal are all set to reopen for tourists from September 23. The forest department has already initiated the process in this regard. This was recently announced by Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee in Siliguri after a meeting with forest officials. He stated that they are working towards opening up the national parks and forests to tourists before Pujas. This should come as a big relief to wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike. Referring to this, officials in the know-how stated that every year the forests close down for two months due to monsoon, i.e., from July 15 to September 15. However, this year due to the COVID pandemic, the forests remained out of bounds for tourists since the beginning of March, when the lockdown was announced, the officials added. Due to the prolonged closure of national parks and forests, tourism in the region has been hit hard, the reason why the state government has now decided to open the forests ahead of the festive season. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ravikant Sinha informed that the said decision to reopen the forests to tourists was taken at a meeting that was chaired by Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee recently. Ravikant Sinha also added that guidelines regarding this will be issued for the same, and that the details will be decided during a meeting today. As regarding the guidelines, they will be based on the lines of COVID advisory of the Health Department to ensure that the forest staff, tourists, and other stakeholders have minimum risk of getting infected by the virus, informed a senior official from the state Forest department.

Read more