India / Govt names countries that mutually recognise COVID vaccine certificate with India

New Delhi: The Indian government has revised travel guidelines for passengers arriving in India. The existing guidelines (issued on 17th February 2021 with subsequent addendums) for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach. "In view increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed," the government said in its statement.

The Standard Operating Procedure shall be valid w.e.f. October 25, 2021 (00.00 Hrs IST) till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document shall be reviewed from time to time, the health ministry said.

Here's a country list based on which arrival guidelines are to be followed:

Category A: List of countries with which Government of India has agreement for mutual recognition vaccination certificate for individuals fully vaccinated with Nationally recognized or WHO recognized COVID-19 vaccine and those exempting Indian citizens fully vaccinated with Nationally recognized or  WHO recognised vaccines (Updated as on 20th October 2021)

1. The United Kingdom

2. France

3. Germany 

4. Nepal

5. Belarus

6. Lebanon

7. Armenia

8. Ukraine

9. Belgium

10. Hungary

11. Serbia

List of Countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing (Countries at-risk)

1. Countries in Europe including The United Kingdom

2. South Africa

3. Brazil

4. Bangladesh

5. Botswana

6. China

7. Mauritius

8. New Zealand

9. Zimbabwe

All travellers should

Submit self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel

Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report. This test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey.

Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise

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 to undergo home quarantine/ self-health monitoring, as warranted.

Continuing with the earlier approach, travellers from certain specified Countries (based on epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in those Countries) are identified for additional follow up. These include need for additional measures as detailed in para (xv) below. The listing of such specified Countries is a dynamic exercise based on evolving situation of COVID-19 across the world and will be made available on the websites 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.

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 all such Countries which provide quarantine-free entry to

Indians are allowed certain relaxations on arrival (Category A Countries). 

The listing of such countries is available on websites 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 Category A Countries shall upload their fully vaccinated* certificate on the Air Suvidha portal.