Cancelled trips, Italy quarantined, overflowing hospitals...Starting 20 March 2002, countries around the world have taken extra measures to protect their population against the coronavirus. Many travellers do not know which way to go, as information is coming from all sides. To help those people that want to travel to India with their visa in the near future, we have gathered the most recent information for travellers to the Indian Peninsula.

On Saturday 7 March, the Foreign Office announced that it advises against “all non-essential travel for British nationals”. High-risk areas were defined as China, Singapore, South Korea, Iran and northern Italy. Travelling to India is therefore likewise discouraged. India has had 43 cases of coronavirus infection.

Arrival in India

Should you still decide to travel to India, you are required to fill in a form on arrival. Entry can be denied if you have recently been to Italy, China, Japan, Iran or South Korea (after February 2020). E-visas and physical visas for Chinese, Japanese, Iranian and South Korean nationals are temporarily not being issued. Travellers that arrive directly or indirectly from China, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore or Taiwan are required to undergo a medical examination on arrival. In summary, if you have been to any of the risk areas in February or March 2020, you are dependant on the Indian immigration for approval to enter the country. No guarantees can be given beforehand on whether you will be allowed to enter the country, even if you meet all of the requirements of the visa for India.

During the stay

Once you arrive, you would do well to keep the following things in mind:

• Expect a longer waiting time at the airport. Medical checks can cause delays.
• Regularly check the website of your airline to stay up to date about the status of your flight.
• Do not travel if you show symptoms of the coronavirus. You are better off quarantining yourself.
• Make sure you stay up to date about the latest information about the virus.

After the trip

After a possible trip abroad, it is recommended to take the following precautions for the next 14 days:

• Follow the hygiene advice: regularly wash your hands, cough in your elbow, use tissues and throw them away immediately.
• Limit non-essential social contact (restaurants, concerts, cinemas, etc.) and do not go to areas that have vulnerable people (hospitals, retirement homes etc.).
• Check your temperature twice a day.

If you notice you have a fever, cough a lot or have trouble breathing, contact your airline and cancel your trip. Do not go to the doctor or the emergency room.

Take note: this news article about the visa for India is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for India.