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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ)

All information is regularly updated and prepared with the greatest possible care to our the best knowledge at the time of publication. Due to the fast evolving nature of the countries’ responses to the COVID-19 outbreak, we cannot guarantee any accuracy and can assume no liability for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. We reserves the right to change information at any time.

WHAT KIND OF VISA DO I NEED TO ENTER INDIA FOR AYURVEDA TREATMENT?

There are two types of visas, you can apply for Ayurveda treatment in India. If you are going for relaxing or rejuvenating treatment stay in one of the certified ayurveda center, resort or retreat, then the TOURIST VISA is applicable for your stay in India. However, if you have serious health problems and the visit of the hospital is necessary or you plan to stay in India longer than 1 month, then it is recommended to apply for the MEDICAL VISA. For both type of visas you can apply online on the Government of India website or after the registration online visit Indian Mission in your country.

Government of India e-Visa application website >>

e-TOURIST VISA

Validity: For group tourist from 15th October 2021 and for individual tourist from 15th November 2021
Duration: One Month (30 Days).
Entries: Single Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible
Fee: Free (Untill March 2022)
e-MEDICAL VISA

Validity: Applicable anytime
Duration: Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.
Entries: Triple
Fee: App. 80 Euro
WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES FOR TOURIST VISA?

India issues new guidelines for tourist visa:

  • Foreign nationals intending to visit India for Tourism are allowed to enter into India on e-Tourist Visa (Tourist Visa) through chartered flights (for group tourism) from October 15, 2021 and as individual tourist from November 15, 2021. 
  • In no case the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter into India through Land ICPs or Riverine routes on e-Tourist Visa (Tourist Visa). 
  • They may apply fresh 30 days single entry to be utilised within 120 days of issuance of e-Tourist Visa (Tourist Visa) on the India Government website. 
  • Existing e-Tourist Visa (Tourist Visa) issued prior to October 06, 2021 shall remain suspended.

The first five lakh foreign tourists will be issued visas free of cost in an attempt to revive the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020 when a nationwide lockdown was announced.

  • Once international travel resumes, the first 5 lakh tourists who come to India will not have to pay visa fees.
  • Scheme applicable till March 31, 2022, or will be closed after distribution of first 5 lakh visas.
  • One tourist can avail of benefits only once.

Government of India e-Visa application website >>

e-TOURIST VISA

Validity: For group tourist from 15th October 2021 and for individual tourist from 15th November 2021
Duration: One Month (30 Days).
Entries: Single Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible
Fee: Free (Untill March 2022)
HOW CAN I OBTAIN THE MEDICAL VISA?

Any foreign national can get a MEDICAL VISA to India as long as they have a genuine health concern that needs to be addressed. So, if you are looking to get treatment in one of the thousands of high-specialty hospitals around the country, you will get your visa approved. An applicant (patient) can have a maximum of two attendants who can accompany the patient into the country. However, their entry will require another form of visa called the MEDICAL ATTENDANT VISA. This visa will have the same validity of the medical visa.

The Indian consulate is very particular about providing medical visas for foreign nationals and is known to thoroughly vet an individual’s medical history before actually signing off on a visa. To avoid unwanted delays or possible rejections, make sure to have all the relevant medical documents ready. These documents will be issued by our Ayurveda doctor after online consultation. 

If you wish to stay in India longer than 2 months, it is better to apply not for online e-MEDICAL VISA, but for REGULAR MEDICAL VISA for which you will have to visit Indian Mission or Visa Application Center in your country.

Government of India e-Visa application website >>

e-MEDICAL VISA

Validity: Applicable anytime
Duration: Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.
Entries: Triple
Fee: App. 80 Euro
DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED?

According to currently valid Guidelines to enter India, COVID - 19 vaccination is not mandatory required yet, the Negative Covid RT-PCR test 72 hours before and registrations are compulsory (see Conditions applied to flights to and from India, Quarantine Norms and Travel Restrictions). During the pandemic entry rules across countries keep changing and passengers must check applicable rules closer to their date of actual travel. 

Check:

WHAT ARE THE QUARANTINE NORMS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS? >>
WHICH ARE THE CONDITIONS APPLIED TO FLIGHTS FROM EU TO INDIA? >>

WHAT ARE THE QUARANTINE NORMS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS?

India will follow new entry norms for international arrivals starting Monday, 25th October 2021. All international passengers flying into the country will still require to undergo a Covid RT-PCR test 72 hours before, the quarantine requirements have been significantly relaxed. 

COUNTRIES - AT RISK

The Union health ministry has identified some countries as “at risk”. These include: European nations, UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Arrivals from these places will need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing. “Travellers from (all non at risk) countries will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival,” the rules that come into effect from 25th October 2021 say. 

COUNTRIES - CATEGORY A

Additionally, the health ministry has prepared a list of countries (called category A) with who India has an agreement for mutual recognition of vaccination certificates for individuals fully jabbed with nationally/WHO recognised Covid-19 vaccine. These include: UK, France, Germany, Nepal, Belarus, Lebanon, Armenia, Ukraine, Belgium, Hungary and Serbia. 

CONDITIONS

For travellers coming from an at risk country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved Covid-19 vaccines (Category A) like EU nations and UK, the requirement is: “If fully vaccinated (meaning got required jabs at least 15 days before arrival) they shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.”  If partially or not vaccinated, travellers need to submit sample for post-arrival Covid-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport. Such passengers must home quarantine for seven days. They will need to conduct a re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further self-monitor their health for next 7 days. 

For those coming from high risk countries not in category A, rules for unvaccinated arrivals will apply. “If a traveller is coming from a country excluding those covered under category A, they would be required to undergo the measures (for unvaccinated) irrespective of their Covid-19 vaccination status,” the rules say. 

WHICH AIR TRANSPORT BUBBLES ARE OPENED BETWEEN INDIA AND EU?

India has created an air bubble arrangement for EU (Schengen area) with Germany, France and Netherland. Their carriers are permitted to operate services between India and EU and carry the EU passports holders on such flights. 

The other air corridors might be opened very soon, but meanwhile we recommend EU citizens to fly with Lufthansa, which operates regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

AIR TRANSPORT BUBBLES - MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION >>

WHICH ARE THE CONDITIONS APPLIED TO FLIGHTS FROM EU TO INDIA?
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

As per the Government of India guidelines and mandatory requirements:

  • All passengers travelling to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru MUST submit the mandatory SELF DECLARATION FORM>>  digitally on the online portal along with the below-mentioned negative RT-PCR, Lateral Flow or LAMP Test report within 72 hours (in case of direct journey from Frankfurt) and within 48 hours (in case of transit in Germany) prior to the scheduled travel. Check in will only be permitted once a passenger has submitted this form online.
  • ALL passengers, entering into India, including infants and children, are mandatorily required to carry a negative RT-PCR Test report or a negative Lateral Flow test or LAMP test report for which test should have been conducted within 72 hours (in case of direct journey from Frankfurt) and within 48 hours (in case of transit in Germany) prior to undertaking the journey. The same also needs to be uploaded on the online portal.
    • i. Arrival in India without negative report shall be allowed only for those traveling to India in the exigency of death in the family.
    • ii. The ones who wish to seek exemption under point 2(i) above are required to apply for the same on the online portal www.newdelhiairport.in >> at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final.
  • All passengers arriving from Europe and Middle East to Bengaluru or New Delhi must go through a second RT-PCR test immediately upon arrival, before leaving the airport, at their own cost.

For detailed guidelines effective from 22nd February 2021 onwards, read the Latest Updates >>

QUARANTINE REGULATIONS
  • Travelers may seek exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hours (in case of direct journey from Frankfurt) and within 48 hours (in case of transit in Germany) prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal SELF DECLARATION FORM>>  for consideration. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.
  • All such passengers opting for exemption from institutional quarantine shall undertake self-monitoring of their health and will be exempted from quarantine.
  • It is mandatory for all passengers to DOWNLOAD THE AAROGYA SETU APP >> application on their mobile devices before boarding.
FOR ALL PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO MUMBAI (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS):

The below regulations are applicable effective 3 September 2021

  • There will be NO institutional quarantine
  • 14 day home quarantine is mandatory
  • All passengers, even if fully vaccinated need the negative RT-PCR report before boarding the flight.
  • All passengers arriving from/transiting through flights originating in UK, Europe and Middle East shall be mandatorily subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular tests (RT-PCR) on arrival.
  • Even double vaccinated passengers need to do this test on arrival.
 FOR ALL PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO BENGALURU (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS):
LUFTHANSA CHECKLIST FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO INDIA

(Please ensure, that you have read all travel rules and regulations. The check list serves only as a summary.)
  • CHECK-IN for your flight online. You will have to upload all your Passport and Visa details.
  • Submit SELF DECLARATION FORM >>  on AIRSUVIDHA online portal 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel.
  • Submit negative RT-PCR, Lateral Flow or LAMP Test report within 72 hours (in case of direct journey from Frankfurt) and within 48 hours (in case of transit in Germany) prior to the scheduled travel (Part of SELF DECLARATION FORM >>  on AIRSUVIDHA online portal)
FLIGHT TO DELHI AND MUMBAI
  • Download AAROGYA SETU APP >> on mobile prior to departure.
  • Pre-booking of RT-PCR Test is not required.
FLIGHT TO BENGALURU
CONNECTING DOMMESTIC FLIGHTS TO KERALA
  • As per latest guidelines issued by the State of Kerala, all customers travelling to Kerala are required to carry RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hrs from the time of sample collection or a COVID vaccination Final Certificate (after 2 doses of vaccination). Customers travelling without a valid RT-PCR negative test report will have to undergo test on arrival at own cost, else will have to undergo 14 days mandatory home quarantine. Additionally, all customers are required to register on COVID-19 JAGRATHA PORTAL >>  and obtain e-pass. For more details on State regulations >>
WHICH ARE THE CONDITIONS APPLIED TO FLIGHTS FROM INDIA TO EU?
RULES APPLICABLE FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE

For fully vaccinated people, entry from third countries (except China) will generally be permitted. The traveler must have received the last vaccination dose at least 14 days before the date of travel. The vaccine received must be among those listed on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Institute (Covishield is accepted).

The EU Digital COVID Certificate or comparable proof of vaccination in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish must be presented upon entry. Please note the following regarding this certificate:

  • The vaccination certificate must have the passport number/ date of birth of the traveler. This can be done through the Cowin app as well.
  • Alternatively, the WHO vaccination booklet with details of the vaccination is also a widely accepted vaccination proof. The WHO booklet must have the vaccination details and Date of Birth entered by a genuine medical doctor. 
  • It must be in digital (e.g. EU Digital COVID Certificate) or paper form (e.g. WHO vaccination booklet) in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish
  • The vaccine used must be one of those listed on the website of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Covishield is accepted)
  • A period of at least 14 days must have elapsed since receiving the last vaccine dose.
  • Travelers who recovered from Covid-19 need to prove receiving of one dose of vaccine
  • Digital Document Check: We invite you to upload the necessary Covid-19 related travel documents up to 12 hours before departure for verification by our Health Entry Support Center. In this way, you will receive information at an early stage as to whether your travel documents are valid for entry or whether there is need for action. This step is not mandatory, but it helps to reduce the waiting time at all check points.

Entry when accompanied by children:  Children under the age of 12 years can travel along with their fully vaccinated parents, however Covid negative report is mandatory for children. No quarantine required.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PROOF

a) Proof of a negative test result:

  • A negative test result obtained using nucleic acid amplification technology (e.g. PCR, PoC- PCR) in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. The test must have been carried out no more than 72 hours prior to entry (time of swabbing).
  • Alternatively, a negative antigen rapid test result in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. Following a stay in a risk area or high incidence area, the test must have been carried out no more than 48 hours prior to entry. Details on the recognition of tests are provided on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

b) Proof of vaccination:

  • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in digital or paper form (e.g. WHO vaccination booklet). The vaccine used must be one of those listed on the website of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. A period of at least 14 days must have elapsed since receiving the last vaccine dose.

c) Proof of recovery:

  • A positive PCR test result carried out at least 28 days but no more than six months previously.
  • For further information on proof of immunity is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
TRANSIT THROUGH GERMANY

If changing flights without leaving the international transit area, digital entry registration, requirements for mandatory testing or providing proof of vaccination, quarantine regulations and travel bans from countries affected by coronavirus variants do not apply. For example: from Delhi (outside Schengen) via Frankfurt (transit) to Buenos Aires (outside Schengen).

When travelling from or to the Schengen area you will need to leave the international transit area for example: From Delhi (outside Schengen) via Frankfurt (transit) to Madrid (Schengen area) or the other way.

These travels are considered an entry to Germany and the following applies:

  • The digital entry registration and quarantine do not apply
  • A negative test or proof of vaccination or recovery is necessary for all air-travels to Germany, including Schengen or non-Schengen Transit.
ENTRY FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSIT TO A THIRD COUNTRY
  • Onward flight ticket to a Non-Schengen destination is required.
  • Submission of proof that the entry in the third country is permitted.
  • Please carry a printout of the current entry regulations of the transiting countries, which proves that the transit to a Non-Schengen country is allowed.
  • If travelling to a destination outside Germany, entry-exit regulations and COVID protocols of the destination country need to be followed.
LUFTHANSA CHECKLIST FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING FROM INDIA

(Please ensure, that you have read all travel rules and regulations. The check list serves only as a summary.)
  • CHECK-IN for your flight online. 
  • Carry the proof of vaccination as per the German Federal Health Requirement.
  • Where applicable, submit negative COVID-19 results (RT-PCR, Antigen, RT-LAMP or TMA) at the time of departure. The sample given for proof of negative COVID-19 test must not be older than 48 hours from the planned arrival into Germany.
  • Check updated rules for ENTERING GERMANY >>
  • Chech TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES >>
HOW CAN I BOOK PCR TEST AT THE AIRPORT IN INDIA?

Effective 13th October 2021, it is mandatory for all passengers to pre-book and pre-pay for the RT-PCR test prior to their arrival at the Bengaluru airport (Payment can be done online or at the airport. Price is 800 Rupees - app. 10 Euro) The booking of the PCR Test in Bengaluru >>

Delhi and Mumbai airport do not require pre-booking of the RT-PCR test.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS AT THE AIRPORT AFTER ARRIVAL IN INDIA? 

The process at the airport after arrival to India is very smooth and well organised. After the exit from the plane, you go straight to:

  • STEP 1: Registration for RP-PCR test. If you are already registered, you submit only your registration number.
  • STEP 2: Document submisson:
    • Passport
    • Boarding card (soft copy required)
    • SELF DECLARATION FORM >> (soft copy required)
    • Negative RP-PCR test done 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel (soft copy required)
  • STEP 3: Taking the samples for new RP-PCR test
  • STEP 4: Emigration control of the passport and visa. Emigration formular is filled directly at the airport. 
  • STEP 5: Lugagge pickup 
  • STEP 6: Payment of the RP-PCR test (Payment can be done online together with registration: 800 Rupees - app. 10 Euro)
  • STEP 7: Exit of the International airport and/or transit to Domestic airport.
  • STEP 8: The results of RP-PCR test done at the airport will be deliver to you on email and via sms or whatsapp within 5 hours.
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DOMESTIC TRANSFERS AND FLIGHTS? 
INTERNATIONAL TO DOMESTIC TRANSFERS - ONWARD DOMESTIC FLIGHT 

If the final destination is not the arrival airport of the international journey: On arrival from your international flight, if you have an onward domestic flight within India you will need to present a negative RT-PCR/ Lateral Flow or LAMP  test report conducted within 72 hours (in case of direct journey from Frankfurt) and within 48 hours (in case of transit in Germany) prior to undertaking the journey.

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