Updates On Countries India Can Travel To On A Tourist Visa: International Tourism Day 2021
Due to the arrival of the second wave and the increasing number of cases, almost all countries placed India on the list of banned countries. Now that things are returning to normal in India, international travelers with tourist visas are being allowed in many countries after the massive drop in infection rates.
We have compiled a list of nations where travelers with a tourist visa from India can fly.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka offers no minimum stay period, allowing visitors from around the world to visit the island nation with ease. After an on-arrival test, fully vaccinated international Indian tourists are expected to be able to move freely around Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has reopened its borders to India after a long wait. Native Indians with minimum stay requirements (after two weeks of their final vaccination) will only be considered for admission if they have completed all recommended vaccination doses.
EGYPT
Egypt’s government is now testing all people arriving from COVID-19 variant countries, though the number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise in recent months.
UAE
Those living in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Afghanistan are now allowed to travel to the United Arab Emirates. As of 1st October, the Expo 2020 World Fair will be open in Dubai after a delay of a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A huge footfall is expected at the expo which will last for months as one of the largest events in the world.
KENYA
It has been announced that Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) will open up its borders for Indian travelers on tourist visas. The second wave of Covid-19 caused Kenya to close its borders this year. KTB said in a statement that the temporary ban on Indian passenger flights has been lifted. Those from India who possess negative PCR-based Covid-19 test results 96 hours before travel are exempt from quarantine, it states.
MAURITIUS
In phases, Mauritius opened its border on 15 July 2021 to international travelers. A resort holiday on the island will be available to travelers who have been immunized in the first phase from 15 July to 30 September 2021. Resort premises feature swimming pools and beaches that are available to holidaymakers.
The island’s attractions will be open to guests who stay more than 14 days at the resort and have negative PCR tests. Mauritius requires all travelers older than 18 years of age to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. To travel to the island, they are required to undergo a PCR test between five and seven days before departure. Travelers will also have a PCR test performed upon arrival at Mauritius International Airport, on day 7 of their resort holiday, and day 14.
As part of Phase 2, starting October 1, 2021, vaccinated travelers who have obtained a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure will be able to enter the country without restrictions. Until further notice, travelers who have not received Phase 1 or Phase 2 vaccines will be quarantined in a room for 14 days.
SERBIA
Serbia, a former Soviet Republic, is also open to Indian travelers but has a few restrictions. There is a requirement for a negative RT-PCR test taken 48 hours before departure, and Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch only offer a limited number of flights from Mumbai to Belgrade. Russia has substantially higher prices than the United States.
TURKEY
In Turkey, a popular tourism destination for Indians, you will need to undergo a mandatory 14-day hospital quarantine before you are permitted to visit the country. The quarantine facility will perform a test on the 14th day of arrival, and only if it is negative will you be allowed to leave. Air India, Emirates, and KLM Royal Dutch are among the carriers offering flights at least 2 times the price of regular airfare.
ICELAND
Only Iceland allows Indians to enter its territory. The company Pure Luxe by KFT arranges private charter flights and land packages to and from the country since India does not have an Air Bubble agreement with the country. To gain entry, you must present a valid vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test. A negative COVID-19 test will exempt you from quarantine if it was conducted at the border by Icelandic authorities.
UZBEKISTAN
A visa is required to travel to the Uzbek Republic if the Indian citizen is destined for a CIS country (except Russia). E-visas are available to Indian travelers for a minimal fee in Uzbekistan, and travelers must present a negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before arrival. Central Asia is free of quarantine, so travelers can enjoy the country’s full splendor.
RUSSIA
Even though a lengthy process must be followed, Russia is one of the few countries that open its doors to Indian tourists. A mere hotel reservation does not suffice for entering Russia without an invitation from a government-mandated tourist agency. In addition, a tourist visa is available for up to 30 days valid for single entry or double entry.
You have to submit RT-PCR results within 72 hours before the arrival and a spot test when you arrive. Those who test positive will be transferred to a COVID treatment facility unless they test negative. Due to the limited number of flights from India to Russia, ticket prices are roughly 2.5 times the standard airfare.
In recent months, Russia has reported an increase in Delta cases. Russian borders with India might be closed once again if that happens. We recommend booking your tickets only if the situation is controlled.
UNITED KINGDOM
You can visit the UK if you are willing to undergo quarantine, but it is a tricky affair. India was previously not allowed entry into the UK because of the policy that Covishield is not a valid vaccine. The Covishield is the Astra Zeneca product being developed by Oxford and being manufactured in India by SII.
The UK now recognizes Covishield as a valid vaccine from which one can enter the country without having to undergo quarantine. For Indians, however, the situation is different as UK has a problem with COWIN certification, so you must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
