International travel to India has a significant new requirement. The Government of India has reinstated the mandatory submission of the Air Suvidha self-declaration form for all arriving passengers, a crucial step for a smooth entry.
What is the Air Suvidha Form?
The Air Suvidha form
is an online self-declaration portal for international passengers arriving in India. Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been reactivated as a public health monitoring tool. The form requires travellers to submit their personal details, flight information, address in India, and a declaration of their recent travel history and health status before their journey. The primary purpose is to help health and immigration authorities identify passengers who might need additional medical screening upon arrival, ensuring a more organized and efficient clearance process. The Bureau of Immigration has emphasized that this form is not optional and applies to everyone entering India by air.
Why is it Mandatory Again?
The decision to enforce the Air Suvidha form again is a precautionary public health measure. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the mandate has been reintroduced in response to a Public Health Emergency of International Concern declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Specifically, the measure is tied to an ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak. By collecting health and travel data in advance, authorities can streamline screening processes at airports and quickly identify travellers who may have been in affected regions or require medical attention. This proactive approach is designed to safeguard public health within India while facilitating smoother arrivals for all passengers.
Who Needs to Fill the Form?
The requirement is universal for all international passengers arriving in India by air, without exception. This includes Indian citizens returning from abroad, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, and foreign nationals holding any type of visa. Your country of origin, nationality, or recent travel history does not exempt you from this rule. Every individual traveller must have a completed form. While the portal allows a single submission to cover up to four family members, each person will receive a separate, individual acknowledgement that must be presented.
How to Complete and Submit the Form
The Air Suvidha form must be filled out online via the official government portal: airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in. It is a free service. Travellers are advised to complete the declaration before departure, preferably at the same time as their web check_in. The form can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival in India. For those flying from the UAE, the submission window is within 24 hours of arrival. After successful submission, you will receive an acknowledgement with a registration number. It is crucial to download this acknowledgement and keep a digital or physical copy ready for inspection at the airport health desk upon arrival.
Information and Documents Required
To ensure a smooth submission process, have the following documents and information ready: a valid passport, flight ticket details including flight number, the address of your stay in India, and an active mobile number and email address for OTP verification. The form will ask for your travel history for the previous 21 days, and you must declare all transit countries. The portal includes an 'Add Transit Row' option for journeys with multiple stops. Accurate information is essential, as providing false details is an offence under Indian law.
What Happens Upon Arrival?
Upon arriving in India, passengers may be asked to present their Air Suvidha acknowledgement at the health screening desk. Based on the information provided, an Airport Port Health Officer may conduct additional screening. Travellers who arrive without having completed the form will face delays. They will be directed to approach the health desk and complete the formalities at the airport, which can be a time consuming process. Completing the form in advance is the best way to ensure a hassle free entry into the country and avoid potential complications or added scrutiny from health officials.
