COVID and Traveling to India

[qesehmk]

One quick question everyone, with the travel's on GC, are we still required to have the Passport valid for more than 6 months when entering back into US? or if it is still valid and expires in a month or so is that fine? Because on Visa if I remember we need to have a passport validity at for 6 more months.

My understanding is that between US and India there is some sort of arrangement by which both recognize each others passports 6 months beyond stated expiry.

[Moveon]

My understanding is that between US and India there is some sort of arrangement by which both recognize each others passports 6 months beyond stated expiry.

You just need a valid passport to enter the US with a GC . However is your passport has expired the airline will not allow you to board in the first place even if the US is willing to let you in

[srimurthy]

You just need a valid passport to enter the US with a GC . However is your passport has expired the airline will not allow you to board in the first place even if the US is willing to let you in

Thanks for the clarifications.

[iamdeb]

Has anyone travelled to India via Emirates or Qatar Airways this year? I would appreciate if someone could share their travel experience via Dubai or Doha.
Thanks!!

[BigAnt]

Has anyone travelled to India via Emirates or Qatar Airways this year? I would appreciate if someone could share their travel experience via Dubai or Doha.
Thanks!!

Yes, I travelled to Delhi recently by Qatar airways via Doha but it was just before Omicron popped up, travel was smooth with regular inflight services, only thing they needed then was RT PCR negative test report performed with in 72 hours before the departure time and passengers need to wear the mask during the journey. No Covid tests were performed either in Doha or Delhi during arrivals. Return journey process was same but they were only allowing fully vaccinated passengers to board, it was mandatory, they checked vaccine certificate along with negative RT PCR report.

[gammaray]

Yes, I travelled to Delhi recently by Qatar airways via Doha but it was just before Omicron popped up, travel was smooth with regular inflight services, only thing they needed then was RT PCR negative test report performed with in 72 hours before the departure time and passengers need to wear the mask during the journey. No Covid tests were performed either in Doha or Delhi during arrivals. Return journey process was same but they were only allowing fully vaccinated passengers to board, it was mandatory, they checked vaccine certificate along with negative RT PCR report.

I think the biggest change in the last month or so is that you need a negative RT PCR of a test taken within 24 hrs of the flight back to the US.

[idliman]

Has anyone travelled to India via Emirates or Qatar Airways this year? I would appreciate if someone could share their travel experience via Dubai or Doha.
Thanks!!

I traveled via Etihad (Abu Dhabi Airport) with the rest of my family. We went for a short 2 week trip and came back immediately after Christmas.

Onwards Journey:

COVID-19 Testing: At the beginning of December 2021, India accepted COVID tests taken 72 hours before flight deparure. We took it 48 hours before (to give us added cushion in case of flight cancellations or delays). You can take it at CVS, Walgreens etc., Their cost is ~ $140 per person. It will be runthough the insurance and most insurance might pay for it. Whether you say "for travel reasons" or others such as recent exposure to people who tested positive or COVID like symptoms might play a part when insurance claims are received. I went with the truth and truth only. They send it to Labcorp (in NC) to get the test done. If you go directly to Labcorp they charge you only $100 per person and you can avoid the transport time or wait time for the CVS / Walgreeens sample pickup. I heard that in NJ they offer group discounts if you pay by cash (~$70 to ~$80 per person). Running it through insurance may be the best bet for most.

Providing samples in CVS / Walgreens is very easy. You take an appointment atleast 7 to 10 days before at the targeted sample time. Then drive through. Do the swabs yourself, seal it an drop it in the box. There is no human contact while providing testing samples.

The test results arrive about 24 to 36 hours or so after the test (depends on the time sample is sent to the lab). When the Lab started running the samples in the next business day, we started getting results one by one from starting from 11AM to 3:30PM. If you know the time the sample is picked up by the lab, you can schedule the test immediately before. Make sure that you had signed up for electronic delivery of the reports and a way to PDF the reports for upload to AirSuvidha. Also call the center and inquire about the turnaround time. With COVID cases peaking now things are constantly changing. Get a handle of the testing situation 2 weeks before you provide test samples.

Air Suvidha:
Prepare individual PDFs files for each passenger: 1) COVID Vaccination Proof, 2) Passport Personal (Bio) Pages and 3) COVID Test Results and organize them in folders before you login to Air Suvidha. Each file size should not exceed 1MB. You will be uploading 3 files for each passenger.

You will provide your PNR and all personal details. Add all passengers in one entry. Air Suvidha will ask for almost everything. So be prepared to spend 30 to 45 minutes in the website. IF you have all the documents organized you can get it done faster. Just take your time and make sure that there are no typos in names.

Once you submit AirSuvidha provides you a tracking info and a download of the AirSuvidha form. Download the PDF and make sure that you print in "COLOR". The first page of AirSuvidha has a colored bar that depends on the country of origin. That's all they look at the Arrival Airport (MAA for me).

On the local flight, they did the usual Passport and Visa checks and just asked if we had completed AirSuvidha and gave boarding passes all the way through. I thought it could not be that easy. However, in JFK/IAD they check the air suvidha form in detail and verify the details. The airline on the final leg will do that verification before you depart USA. They will check the names for the exact match with the documentation that you had provided. Only then you are issued the boarding pass for international flight leg.

e-Pass: Most states will advice you to take an ePass. It is simple and straight forward. We took the ePass, however there were no curfews in December 2021. So nobody checked it.

Most airlines Emirates, Gulf, Etihad, etc., provide you custom instructions based on the destination airport along with the things to do for that state.

I travel another 10+ hours on road to my home town. Could not get economical options for nearby Airports. That was the hardest part of the entire journey.

Return Journey:
You need to take a COVID test 24 hours before your flight departs. It costs about INR 800 to INR 2000 per person for COVID test. The test report needs to be uploaded to Etihad portal where the call center will verify info and validate. The other option is to have a printout and do verification at the airport counter. The test should be done in Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) certified center. Almost all major test centers in india are connected to the Govt database and have standards. So just ask for ICMR certified test report. Mostly small cities do not have this. My report was run from an adjacent big city. If you are like me who travels another 10+ hours by road before reaching airport, taking tests in 24 hours is a challenge. You can pull some strings or ask the test center to run reports at 5AM (money ++) or stay in Chennai / Mumbai / Hyderabad / Bangalore and take test there or take test directly at the airport. The logistics of 24 hour COVID tests need to be worked out in advance.

For Etihad, the immigration is done in Abu Dhabi and you land at the local terminal in USA. Customs are also done in Abu Dhabi. The officer had a display of Indian spices like curry leaves and asked if we are carrying anything (They had all major Indian spices on display). Then he asked if we are carrying food. We told yes and then later clarified food as snacks. He did not bother to ask us to show it, he just stamped the passports. In Abu Dhabi there are no special lines for GC Holders, Citizens or Visa Holders. Everyone goes through the same line. They do immigration only for three flights (to IAD, JFK and ORD) in Abu Dhabi. So they let people based on the flight number and their departure time. Also it looks like they called people from Lahore or no Indian origin first before they let others to go in. For my eyes it looked like 70% or more passengers orginated from Indian airports.

All the flights were 100% occupied. People wore masks. But you have to take it off during meal time. If someone 2 or 3 rows from you has COVID, there is a good chance that you will get it. But that's the risk in flight travel and everyone is fine with it. Visiting the family is worth it in my opinion.

Update:
1. We took three sets copies of everything; a) Air Suvidha b) COVID tests c) Vaccination Cards and d) Passport Bio Pages; They will take one set in JFK/IAD and one at arrival airport in India.
2. Airport / Ticket counter checks your name for exact match. Make sure that the name on Passport, Ticket, COVID Test and Vaccination Cards match.
3. On the return journey CDC form is required for entry to USA. I took it to airport, most people did not. However, the airline provided everyone with a CDC form in Abu Dhabi.
4. If you are booking travel, plan ahead and book it. There is no way to predict when the next COVID wave will hit where. However, once the current COVID wave is done, it might take 6+ months for the next wave.
5. This was my first trip after getting GC. While traveling with GC the only thing that matters is how long you stayed outside. So DHS will ask you how long was the duration of the trip. If you plan to stay more than 6 months outside of USA, you need to obtain a reentry permit. However, with GC you should not take such long trips (not more than 3 or 4 months). That will lead to questions about your intent as a permanant resident in USA.
6. No one in India is bothered to wear masks. However, if you want to return safe make sure that you wear it at all times. Also avoid parties and such (very hard to do). If you keep a minimal footprint you will be safe.

[srimurthy]

I traveled via Etihad (Abu Dhabi Airport) with the rest of my family. We went for a short 2 week trip and came back immediately after Christmas.

Onwards Journey:

Nice summary Idliman. I made a quick trip too in the new year after 1st and back this Monday.
I flew direct via AirIndia from NJ to HYD and the RT-PCR test getting an appointment was tough as my trip was unplanned.
I booked the tickets after getting a confirmation for RT-PCR test at an Urgent Care where the results are provided in 15 min and cost a little but wroth the travel.
The flights were booked fully and a lot of people are travelling. I did not take copies of all the documents, but I showed them and collected the RT-PCR and Vaccination info back.

The part in Delhi was the most waste of time as the AirSuvidha form was checked by security atleast 4 or 5 times steps after deplaning before collecting the baggage.
Also when returning, I did the RT-PCR tests from two centers as I was a bit skeptical about the promptness of results from test centers just to be safe. One returned the results in 24 hours as promised and the other a very big hospital did not return the results in 24 hours and said will deliver after 48 hours. Way after my flight leaves, so that caution was helpful.

The flights everyone wore masks and since I stayed home mostly in India, I reduced the chance of exposure. AirIndia also gave face shields to be used and I used it one way and the other way I just took it off.
But I did a double mask and hand sanitize to be safe as much as I can.

And not to miss, travelling with GC was a lot less stressful than with Visa.

[iamdeb]

I traveled via Etihad (Abu Dhabi Airport) with the rest of my family. We went for a short 2 week trip and came back immediately after Christmas.

Onwards Journey:

COVID-19 Testing: At the beginning of December 2021, India accepted COVID tests taken 72 hours before flight deparure. We took it 48 hours before (to give us added cushion in case of flight cancellations or delays). You can take it at CVS, Walgreens etc., Their cost is ~ $140 per person. It will be runthough the insurance and most insurance might pay for it. Whether you say "for travel reasons" or others such as recent exposure to people who tested positive or COVID like symptoms might play a part when insurance claims are received. I went with the truth and truth only. They send it to Labcorp (in NC) to get the test done. If you go directly to Labcorp they charge you only $100 per person and you can avoid the transport time or wait time for the CVS / Walgreeens sample pickup. I heard that in NJ they offer group discounts if you pay by cash (~$70 to ~$80 per person). Running it through insurance may be the best bet for most.

Providing samples in CVS / Walgreens is very easy. You take an appointment atleast 7 to 10 days before at the targeted sample time. Then drive through. Do the swabs yourself, seal it an drop it in the box. There is no human contact while providing testing samples.

The test results arrive about 24 to 36 hours or so after the test (depends on the time sample is sent to the lab). When the Lab started running the samples in the next business day, we started getting results one by one from starting from 11AM to 3:30PM. If you know the time the sample is picked up by the lab, you can schedule the test immediately before. Make sure that you had signed up for electronic delivery of the reports and a way to PDF the reports for upload to AirSuvidha. Also call the center and inquire about the turnaround time. With COVID cases peaking now things are constantly changing. Get a handle of the testing situation 2 weeks before you provide test samples.

Air Suvidha:
Prepare individual PDFs files for each passenger: 1) COVID Vaccination Proof, 2) Passport Personal (Bio) Pages and 3) COVID Test Results and organize them in folders before you login to Air Suvidha. Each file size should not exceed 1MB. You will be uploading 3 files for each passenger.

You will provide your PNR and all personal details. Add all passengers in one entry. Air Suvidha will ask for almost everything. So be prepared to spend 30 to 45 minutes in the website. IF you have all the documents organized you can get it done faster. Just take your time and make sure that there are no typos in names.

Once you submit AirSuvidha provides you a tracking info and a download of the AirSuvidha form. Download the PDF and make sure that you print in "COLOR". The first page of AirSuvidha has a colored bar that depends on the country of origin. That's all they look at the Arrival Airport (MAA for me).

On the local flight, they did the usual Passport and Visa checks and just asked if we had completed AirSuvidha and gave boarding passes all the way through. I thought it could not be that easy. However, in JFK/IAD they check the air suvidha form in detail and verify the details. The airline on the final leg will do that verification before you depart USA. They will check the names for the exact match with the documentation that you had provided. Only then you are issued the boarding pass for international flight leg.

e-Pass: Most states will advice you to take an ePass. It is simple and straight forward. We took the ePass, however there were no curfews in December 2021. So nobody checked it.

Most airlines Emirates, Gulf, Etihad, etc., provide you custom instructions based on the destination airport along with the things to do for that state.

I travel another 10+ hours on road to my home town. Could not get economical options for nearby Airports. That was the hardest part of the entire journey.

Return Journey:
You need to take a COVID test 24 hours before your flight departs. It costs about INR 800 to INR 2000 per person for COVID test. The test report needs to be uploaded to Etihad portal where the call center will verify info and validate. The other option is to have a printout and do verification at the airport counter. The test should be done in Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) certified center. Almost all major test centers in india are connected to the Govt database and have standards. So just ask for ICMR certified test report. Mostly small cities do not have this. My report was run from an adjacent big city. If you are like me who travels another 10+ hours by road before reaching airport, taking tests in 24 hours is a challenge. You can pull some strings or ask the test center to run reports at 5AM (money ++) or stay in Chennai / Mumbai / Hyderabad / Bangalore and take test there or take test directly at the airport. The logistics of 24 hour COVID tests need to be worked out in advance.

For Etihad, the immigration is done in Abu Dhabi and you land at the local terminal in USA. Customs are also done in Abu Dhabi. The officer had a display of Indian spices like curry leaves and asked if we are carrying anything (They had all major Indian spices on display). Then he asked if we are carrying food. We told yes and then later clarified food as snacks. He did not bother to ask us to show it, he just stamped the passports. In Abu Dhabi there are no special lines for GC Holders, Citizens or Visa Holders. Everyone goes through the same line. They do immigration only for three flights (to IAD, JFK and ORD) in Abu Dhabi. So they let people based on the flight number and their departure time. Also it looks like they called people from Lahore or no Indian origin first before they let others to go in. For my eyes it looked like 70% or more passengers orginated from Indian airports.

All the flights were 100% occupied. People wore masks. But you have to take it off during meal time. If someone 2 or 3 rows from you has COVID, there is a good chance that you will get it. But that's the risk in flight travel and everyone is fine with it. Visiting the family is worth it in my opinion.

Update:
1. We took three sets copies of everything; a) Air Suvidha b) COVID tests c) Vaccination Cards and d) Passport Bio Pages; They will take one set in JFK/IAD and one at arrival airport in India.
2. Airport / Ticket counter checks your name for exact match. Make sure that the name on Passport, Ticket, COVID Test and Vaccination Cards match.
3. On the return journey CDC form is required for entry to USA. I took it to airport, most people did not. However, the airline provided everyone with a CDC form in Abu Dhabi.
4. If you are booking travel, plan ahead and book it. There is no way to predict when the next COVID wave will hit where. However, once the current COVID wave is done, it might take 6+ months for the next wave.
5. This was my first trip after getting GC. While traveling with GC the only thing that matters is how long you stayed outside. So DHS will ask you how long was the duration of the trip. If you plan to stay more than 6 months outside of USA, you need to obtain a reentry permit. However, with GC you should not take such long trips (not more than 3 or 4 months). That will lead to questions about your intent as a permanant resident in USA.
6. No one in India is bothered to wear masks. However, if you want to return safe make sure that you wear it at all times. Also avoid parties and such (very hard to do). If you keep a minimal footprint you will be safe.

Appreciate your detailed response Idliman! this is invaluable information and I will use all the tips provided in your elaborate travel journey!

[gammaray]

Nice summary Idliman. I made a quick trip too in the new year after 1st and back this Monday.
I flew direct via AirIndia from NJ to HYD and the RT-PCR test getting an appointment was tough as my trip was unplanned.
I booked the tickets after getting a confirmation for RT-PCR test at an Urgent Care where the results are provided in 15 min and cost a little but wroth the travel.
The flights were booked fully and a lot of people are travelling. I did not take copies of all the documents, but I showed them and collected the RT-PCR and Vaccination info back.

The part in Delhi was the most waste of time as the AirSuvidha form was checked by security atleast 4 or 5 times steps after deplaning before collecting the baggage.
Also when returning, I did the RT-PCR tests from two centers as I was a bit skeptical about the promptness of results from test centers just to be safe. One returned the results in 24 hours as promised and the other a very big hospital did not return the results in 24 hours and said will deliver after 48 hours. Way after my flight leaves, so that caution was helpful.

The flights everyone wore masks and since I stayed home mostly in India, I reduced the chance of exposure. AirIndia also gave face shields to be used and I used it one way and the other way I just took it off.
But I did a double mask and hand sanitize to be safe as much as I can.

And not to miss, travelling with GC was a lot less stressful than with Visa.

I would have thought flights would have been less crowded in the New Year's after the December rush. But I guess not. Likely also because direct flights always tend to be full, specially in covid times. Guessing Air India has regular food service? Double masking and face shields are good till it's time to eat : )

Think you may have missed the mandatory 7-day quarantine at home that was recently enforced for all arrivals to India, followed by a PCR test on the 8th day. Hopefully someone who travels after Jan 7 can post their experience here. The India regulations are not very clear on how the 7-day quarantine is enforced especially if the domestic connecting flight is after 1-2 days.

[srimurthy]

Think you may have missed the mandatory 7-day quarantine at home that was recently enforced for all arrivals to India, followed by a PCR test on the 8th day. Hopefully someone who travels after Jan 7 can post their experience here. The India regulations are not very clear on how the 7-day quarantine is enforced especially if the domestic connecting flight is after 1-2 days.

Yes I was luck to go and come back before the mandatory quarantine times. But a few of my friends have travelled this week. And you have to quarantine for 7 days and submit the PCR test on the 8th day. They are randomly sending the people to the listed address where fliers are quarantining and checking during the day if people are actually quarantining. And police or team visiting is not leaving the place until they meet the members quarantining as this was relayed today itself by my friend.
Even though everything is open in India and everyone is going out freely.. with no masks.

The night curfews that were in place in middle of Jan in some cities are also pulled back now I guess.

[gammaray]

Yes I was luck to go and come back before the mandatory quarantine times. But a few of my friends have travelled this week. And you have to quarantine for 7 days and submit the PCR test on the 8th day. They are randomly sending the people to the listed address where fliers are quarantining and checking during the day if people are actually quarantining. And police or team visiting is not leaving the place until they meet the members quarantining as this was relayed today itself by my friend.
Even though everything is open in India and everyone is going out freely.. with no masks.

The night curfews that were in place in middle of Jan in some cities are also pulled back now I guess.

That's interesting, guess that's India for you, wasting resources and time "checking" on vaccinated and tested people. Meanwhile the general populace is walking around maskless and in large gatherings (marriage season is ongoing undeterred as I hear). I won't even comment on night curfews which is one of the most ridiculous things implemented.

[gammaray]

On a side note, new guideline just released today, no mandatory quarantine anymore, only 14-day self monitoring. Also RT PCR test OR vaccination record required for travel, not both.

[idliman]

On a side note, new guideline just released today, no mandatory quarantine anymore, only 14-day self monitoring. Also RT PCR test OR vaccination record required for travel, not both.

Here's the PDF of the official guideline.

This Standard Operating Procedure shall be valid w.e.f. 14th February 2022 (00.01 Hrs IST) till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document shall be reviewed from time to time.

A.1. Planning for Travel
i. All travellers should
a. Submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsu...o-registration) before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details.
b. Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report* (The test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey)
or
Certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination**.
c. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.
ii. They should also give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, through concerned airlines before they are allowed to undertake the journey that they would abide by the decision of the appropriate government authority any post arrival requirement to undergo home/institutional quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted.

A.2. Before Boarding
iii. Do?s and Don'ts shall be provided along with ticket to the travellers by the airlines/agencies concerned.
iv. Airlines to allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled in all the information in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal and uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report or Covid -19 vaccination certificate of having completed the primary vaccination schedule**.
v. At the time of boarding the flight, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.
vi. All passengers shall be advised to download Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices.

A.3. During Travel
vii. In-flight announcement about COVID-19 including precautionary measures to be followed shall be made at airports and in flights and during transit.
viii. During in-flight crew shall ensure that COVID appropriate behaviour is followed at all times.
ix. If any passenger reports symptoms of COVID-19 during flight, he/she shall be isolated as per protocol.
x. Proper in-flight announcements should be made by the airlines regarding the testing requirements and people who need to undergo such testing to avoid any congestion at the arrival airports.

A.4. On arrival
xi. De-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing.
xii. Thermal screening would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the airport. The self-declaration form filled online shall be shown to the airport health staff.
xiii. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility as per health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed as per laid down protocol#.
xiv. The following protocol post arrival shall also be followed
a. A sub-section (2% of the total passengers in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival.
b. Such travellers in each flight shall be identified by the concerned airlines (preferably from different countries). They will submit the samples and shall be allowed to leave the airport.
c. If such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network.
d. They shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.
xv. All travellers will self-monitor their health for next 14 days of arrival.
xvi. If travellers under self-health monitoring, develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number.

* Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.

** There are Countries which have agreement with India on mutual recognition of vaccination certificates of Nationally recognised or WHO recognised vaccines. Similarly, there are Countries which presently do not have such an agreement with India, but they exempt Indian citizens fully vaccinated with Nationally recognised or WHO recognised vaccines. On the basis of reciprocity, the travellers from only such Countries which provide quarantine-free entry to Indians will be allowed for relaxation under Certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination. The listing of such Countries is available on website of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (mohfw.gov.in) and the link of the same will be available at website of Ministry of External Affairs and Air Suvidha Portal. This is also a dynamic list and will be updated from time to time. The travellers from such countries only are considered for allowing entry based on vaccination certificate & shall upload their fully vaccinate certificate on the Air Suvidha portal.