Planning a trip to India? International travel rules have been updated. The Air Suvidha self-declaration form is once again a mandatory requirement for all passengers before they board their flights, reintroducing a key step for all arrivals.
What Is the Air Suvidha Form?
The Air Suvidha
Self-Declaration Form is an online portal for international passengers to submit their health status and travel details before arriving in India. Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the system has been reactivated to monitor and safeguard public health. It serves as a digital communication channel between passengers and health officials, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient health screening process upon arrival. The form is completely free to fill out, and no payment is required at any stage. Submitting this form helps authorities identify travellers who might require further medical assessment, ensuring a smoother clearance process for everyone else.
Why Is It Mandatory Again?
The decision to reinstate the Air Suvidha form is a precautionary measure in response to global health concerns. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the requirement was brought back following the World Health Organisation's declaration of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The updated Air Suvidha 2.0 portal enables health and immigration authorities to effectively monitor passengers arriving from or transiting through affected regions, though the form is mandatory for all international passengers, regardless of their travel history.
Who Needs to Complete the Form?
This requirement is universal for all international passengers arriving in India by air. There are no exceptions. The mandate applies to Indian passport holders, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, and foreign nationals alike. Every individual, including children, must have a completed form submitted in their name. The Bureau of Immigration has explicitly stated that the form is not optional and is a compulsory step for entry into the country.
Information and Documents You Will Need
To ensure a smooth process, it's best to gather all necessary information before you start filling out the form. You will need: a valid passport, your flight ticket with details like the flight number and your first port of entry in India, and the full address of your stay in the country. Additionally, you must provide your travel history for the last 21 days, including any countries you transited through. A working mobile number and email address are also crucial for One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
A Step-byStep Guide to Submission
Completing the form is a straightforward online process. First, visit the official Air Suvidha portal. You will be asked to enter your personal details, passport information, and flight itinerary. The next step requires you to detail your travel history for the preceding 21 days. After providing your contact information for your stay in India, you will verify it via an OTP sent to your phone or email. You must then complete a health declaration, which includes questions about any potential exposure to Ebola or related symptoms. After reviewing your information for accuracy, you can submit the form. It is recommended to download or print the acknowledgement receipt, as you may be asked to present it upon arrival.
Airlines will verify that the Air Suvidha form has been completed before issuing a boarding pass, so it is essential to fill it out before heading to the airport. Upon landing in India, passengers may be required to show their Air Suvidha acknowledgement at the health desk. While most travellers can then proceed to immigration, some may be subject to additional screening by an Airport Port Health Officer based on their travel history and health declaration. Arriving without a completed form could lead to significant delays, so passengers are strongly advised to comply with the requirement in advance.
