New Delhi: With international flights resuming the services gradually, the civil aviation ministry has added more routes to the list of countries where Indians can fly. Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri had has tweet earlier and informed that talks which were on with 13 countries to set up air bubbles has now been finalised. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued fresh guidelines and eligibility criteria for those travelling to and from India to US, UK, Canada, other countries. As of now, India has air transport bubbles with 13 countries in the wake of pandemic, and more such agreements are likely with other countries as well. Also Read: Monsoon Session: After Ruckus In Rajya Sabha Over Farm Bills, Here's What To Expect Today

What are air transport bubbles?

Basically, “Transport Bubbles" or “Air Travel Arrangements" are temporary arrangements between two countries and focused on kick starting commercial passenger services at the time of pandemic when regular international flights are suspended. Such agreements are mostly reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries shall enjoy similar benefits.

Here is the tweet from Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri  informing about the arrangements with countries.



Check the guidelines below before travelling to major destinations abroad:

  1. Canada


Travel from India to Canada

  • Stranded Canadian nationals/residents and foreigners with valid Canadian visa eligible to enter Canada;

  • Indian nationals with valid visas eligible to enter Canada. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Canada before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger; and

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping


From Canada to India

  • Stranded Indian nationals;

  • All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Canadian passports; and

  • Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020 as amended from time to time.


 

  1. France


From India to France

  • Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU;

  • Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.


From France to India

  • Stranded Indian nationals;

  • Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines .



  1. Germany


From India to Germany

  • Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU;

  • Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through Germany or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.


From Germany to India

  • Stranded Indian nationals;

  • Foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.



  1. Japan


From India to Japan

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 MHA guidelines.



  1. United Kingdom


From India to UK

  • Stranded UK nationals/residents, foreign nationals transiting through UK or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.

  • Any Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa and destined for UK only.

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.


From UK to India

  • Stranded Indian nationals

  • All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UK passports; and

  • Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India.



  1. United States of America (USA)


From India to USA

  • US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas;

  • Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa.

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping


From USA to India

  • Stranded Indian nationals

  • All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding US passports; and

  • Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India.


You can also check the guidelines for other countries on the civil aviation ministry website.