We have heard from a number of constituents concerned about the status of British nationals overseas in India. The situation is fluid but you may read the latest guidance below.
The British Government has announced a worldwide partnership with airlines to repatriate British nationals stranded as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Special charter flights from India to the UK are being organised by the UK Government.
These flights are for UK travellers who normally reside in the UK and their direct dependants.
British Nationals are to note that they will not be able to travel if they are currently exhibiting Coronavirus symptoms (they will need to self-isolate and book onto a later flight).
If you are affected:
Guidance on how to travel to airports will follow once you have a ticket secured. We at the High Commission will handle the necessary permissions from the Government of India. Please note the address that you provide will be where you are picked up from (unless you are asked to meet at a muster point), so it is vital that you provide information that is as accurate as possible.
Due to the current travel restrictions in India, it is only possible to book these flights if you are already in the State of the departure airport. Please do not worry if you are not - further information will follow on flights running from other locations in India. Please continue to monitor the FCO’s Travel Advice and social media for updates.
In the meantime, do check the validity of your Indian visa. If it has or is due to expire you will need to apply online for an extension at E-FRRO: details in the visa section above.
Exact timings of flights from India will be published on the FCO’s travel advice and social media channels as soon as they are confirmed. These flights are for British nationals and others ordinarily resident in the UK who want to return to the UK.
Given many parts of India remain under lockdown or have additional restrictions in place, the Government is working with the local authorities to enable British nationals to reach airports. More details will follow.
Once flights have been confirmed, you should leave plenty of time to get to the airport as movement may be more difficult than normal. You should make sure you are able to show authorities:
- proof of a booked flight (a boarding pass if possible)
- your passport
- a (printed, if possible) copy of the British movement letter issued by the British High Commission confirming that you should be allowed to travel. Available for download in English and Indian languages here.
What to do
If you’re currently visiting India and you wish to return urgently to the UK, email Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk with the following details for you and any family members with you:
- full name
- date of birth
- passport number
- visa status and contact details
- exact location in India
- date of arrival in India
- details of the return flight that you had booked back to the UK, if applicable
- any special circumstances we may need to be aware of, such as a medical condition
Due to the high number of emails, we will be unable to send an individual response to everyone. There is no need to email again if you have already sent these details and received an autoreply.
Next steps
You should be prepared to stay in India until commercial flights resume.
- you will need to be ready to comply with local isolation, testing or quarantine requirements, and to rely on the local health system.
- unless you have an urgent reason to travel within India, you may need to stay where you are whilst the flight ban and lockdowns remain in place
- many additional restrictions are being introduced at state level. Some states have entry restrictions in place and may quarantine foreign nationals on arrival. Hotels in some states have been instructed to refuse entry to foreign nationals
The situation remains fluid. You should continue to monitor the local advice on any state level restrictions and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
We have heard from a number of constituents concerned about the status of British nationals overseas in India.
The British Government has announced a worldwide partnership with airlines to repatriate British nationals stranded as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Special charter flights from India to the UK are being organised by the UK Government.
These flights are for UK travellers who normally reside in the UK and their direct dependants.
British Nationals are to note that they will not be able to travel if they are currently exhibiting Coronavirus symptoms (they will need to self-isolate and book onto a later flight).
If you are affected:
Guidance on how to travel to airports will follow once you have a ticket secured. We at the High Commission will handle the necessary permissions from the Government of India. Please note the address that you provide will be where you are picked up from (unless you are asked to meet at a muster point), so it is vital that you provide information that is as accurate as possible.
Due to the current travel restrictions in India, it is only possible to book these flights if you are already in the State of the departure airport. Please do not worry if you are not - further information will follow on flights running from other locations in India. Please continue to monitor the FCO’s Travel Advice and social media for updates.
In the meantime, do check the validity of your Indian visa. If it has or is due to expire you will need to apply online for an extension at E-FRRO: details in the visa section above.
Exact timings of flights from India will be published on the FCO’s travel advice and social media channels as soon as they are confirmed. These flights are for British nationals and others ordinarily resident in the UK who want to return to the UK.
Given many parts of India remain under lockdown or have additional restrictions in place, the Government is working with the local authorities to enable British nationals to reach airports. More details will follow.
Once flights have been confirmed, you should leave plenty of time to get to the airport as movement may be more difficult than normal. You should make sure you are able to show authorities:
- proof of a booked flight (a boarding pass if possible)
- your passport
- a (printed, if possible) copy of the British movement letter issued by the British High Commission confirming that you should be allowed to travel. Available for download in English and Indian languages here.
What to do
If you’re currently visiting India and you wish to return urgently to the UK, email Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk with the following details for you and any family members with you:
- full name
- date of birth
- passport number
- visa status and contact details
- exact location in India
- date of arrival in India
- details of the return flight that you had booked back to the UK, if applicable
- any special circumstances we may need to be aware of, such as a medical condition
Due to the high number of emails, we will be unable to send an individual response to everyone. There is no need to email again if you have already sent these details and received an autoreply.
Next steps
You should be prepared to stay in India until commercial flights resume.
- you will need to be ready to comply with local isolation, testing or quarantine requirements, and to rely on the local health system.
- unless you have an urgent reason to travel within India, you may need to stay where you are whilst the flight ban and lockdowns remain in place
- many additional restrictions are being introduced at state level. Some states have entry restrictions in place and may quarantine foreign nationals on arrival. Hotels in some states have been instructed to refuse entry to foreign nationals
The situation remains fluid. You should continue to monitor the local advice on any state level restrictions and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
We have heard from a number of constituents concerned about the status of British nationals overseas in India.
The British Government has announced a worldwide partnership with airlines to repatriate British nationals stranded as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Special charter flights from India to the UK are being organised by the UK Government.
These flights are for UK travellers who normally reside in the UK and their direct dependants.
British Nationals are to note that they will not be able to travel if they are currently exhibiting Coronavirus symptoms (they will need to self-isolate and book onto a later flight).
If you are affected:
Guidance on how to travel to airports will follow once you have a ticket secured. We at the High Commission will handle the necessary permissions from the Government of India. Please note the address that you provide will be where you are picked up from (unless you are asked to meet at a muster point), so it is vital that you provide information that is as accurate as possible.
Due to the current travel restrictions in India, it is only possible to book these flights if you are already in the State of the departure airport. Please do not worry if you are not - further information will follow on flights running from other locations in India. Please continue to monitor the FCO’s Travel Advice and social media for updates.
In the meantime, do check the validity of your Indian visa. If it has or is due to expire you will need to apply online for an extension at E-FRRO: details in the visa section above.
Exact timings of flights from India will be published on the FCO’s travel advice and social media channels as soon as they are confirmed. These flights are for British nationals and others ordinarily resident in the UK who want to return to the UK.
Given many parts of India remain under lockdown or have additional restrictions in place, the Government is working with the local authorities to enable British nationals to reach airports. More details will follow.
Once flights have been confirmed, you should leave plenty of time to get to the airport as movement may be more difficult than normal. You should make sure you are able to show authorities:
- proof of a booked flight (a boarding pass if possible)
- your passport
- a (printed, if possible) copy of the British movement letter issued by the British High Commission confirming that you should be allowed to travel.
What to do
If you’re currently visiting India and you wish to return urgently to the UK, email Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk with the following details for you and any family members with you:
- full name
- date of birth
- passport number
- visa status and contact details
- exact location in India
- date of arrival in India
- details of the return flight that you had booked back to the UK, if applicable
- any special circumstances we may need to be aware of, such as a medical condition
Due to the high number of emails, we will be unable to send an individual response to everyone. There is no need to email again if you have already sent these details and received an autoreply.
Next steps
You should be prepared to stay in India until commercial flights resume.
- you will need to be ready to comply with local isolation, testing or quarantine requirements, and to rely on the local health system.
- unless you have an urgent reason to travel within India, you may need to stay where you are whilst the flight ban and lockdowns remain in place
- many additional restrictions are being introduced at state level. Some states have entry restrictions in place and may quarantine foreign nationals on arrival. Hotels in some states have been instructed to refuse entry to foreign nationals
The situation remains fluid. You should continue to monitor the local advice on any state level restrictions and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
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