Flying to India? Registration on missions' websites no longer needed

Indian expatriates who wish to travel to India are no longer required to register on the missions' websites, announced the Consulate General of India in Dubai in a press release. The Consulate said: "India and the UAE are continuing with the "air bubble agreement", hence registration of Indian nationals who desire to travel to India from UAE is no longer required on the Consulate General of India, Dubai website."

The registration of Indian nationals was introduced to facilitate repatriation. However, since a number of flights are operational between UAE and Indian carriers along with flights operated by Air India and Air India Express from Dubai/Sharjah, the process of registration at the website of the Indian Consulate has been abolished with immediate effect.

It added. "People can book their tickets with different airlines, as per their schedule on internet or through booking agents." In an earlier interview with Khaleej Times, the press consul at the CGI Neeraj Agarwal had said at least 375,000 Indians had returned from the UAE to India as part of the Vande Bharat Mission.

RT PCR tests highly recommended

The Consulate has said that pre-travel RT-PCR tests are not mandatory, but highly recommended. It said, "We would like to reiterate once again that passengers desiring to travel to India are advised to get their RT- PCR test done (not before 96 hours of the departure) and upload the same at Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) to get exemption from institutional quarantine for all airports in India. RT PCR (Covid 19) test is not not mandatory but highly recommended."

For India-to-UAE travelers

With regards to passengers coming from India to Dubai/Sharjah, the Consulate has advised travelers to follow the guidelines issued by the government of of UAE/Dubai/Sharjah including mandatory RT PCR Test and immigration authorities' approval, wherever required.

"People on visit visa are advised that they must carry adequate travel/health insurance for the duration of their visa, before undertaking their journey. There is no restriction from the Indian side for any kind of traveler to come to UAE from India, nor there is any registration process for people travelling from India to UAE," the Consulate said.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88