The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah (currently closed due to coronavirus)
- Jammu and Kashmir, except for (i) travel within the city of Jammu, (ii) travel by air to the city of Jammu, and (iii) travel within the Union Territory of Ladakh
The tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway are within the areas where the FCDO advises against all travel.
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- the state of Manipur, except the state capital Imphal and the Meiti Valley areas, which include Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park and the Imphal War Cemetery
- the remainder of India based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks
For more information, see Local travel and Terrorism
Travel to India is subject to entry restrictions
On 30 December, the Government of India announced that the temporary suspension of all flights from the UK to India. On 2 January, the Government of India confirmed that:
- Flights from India to the UK will resume from 6 January
- Flights from the UK to India will resume from 8 January
Detailed guidelines and the Standard Operating Procedure for these flights are available on the Ministry of Health website.
For more information please consult your airline, read the announcement by the Government of India Ministry of Aviation and sign up for email alerts so you can keep up to date with our latest travel advice. New restrictions can be put in place at short notice to curb the spread of the virus. You should closely monitor the instructions of local authorities and media reports.
If you are flying into Delhi from the UK, you will have to undergo mandatory paid testing on arrival. Those testing positive will be isolated at an institutional isolation facility which may be at your own expense. Those testing negative will have to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine for seven days at designated hotels, which may be at your own expense, followed by seven days of home quarantine. This order will be applicable in Delhi until 31 January and may be extended based on the situation. For more details please see websites of Delhi Disaster Management Authority and New Delhi Airport.
If you are flying into Mumbai from the UK, other European countries, South Africa or the Middle East, you will have to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine at designated hotels at your own cost. You will be tested on day seven following your arrival. If you test negative, you may leave the institutional quarantine but will have to home-quarantine for another seven days. If you test positive, you will be moved to a designated facility for further evaluation and treatment.
The Government of India has introduced additional measures for passengers who arrived into India from UK airports (including transit) between 25 November and midnight on 22 December.
- If you arrived between 25 November and 8 December, you will be contacted by District Surveillance Officers and asked to self-monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, you will be tested. If positive, you will be quarantined in a designated facility and will have to undergo further testing to determine the variant of the virus.
- If you have arrived between 9 December and 21 December, you will be contacted daily by District Surveillance Officers for 14 days from your date of arrival. If you are symptomatic, you will be tested (including further genome testing) and quarantined. Your community contacts will also be tested and will be quarantined if positive.
- If you arrived between 21 December and midnight on 22 December, and tested negative, State officials will follow up with you to monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, you will be tested and quarantined if necessary.
You should co-operate with local authorities and declare any symptoms that you may develop.
See Entry requirements for more information before you plan to travel.
Preparing for your return journey to the UK
If you’re returning to the UK from overseas, you will need to:
Check our advice on foreign travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sign up for email alerts for this travel advice.
If you’re planning travel to India, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Various farmers unions are continuing their protest at Delhi’s borders following their march to Delhi on 26 and 27 November. Traffic into the city may be affected and cause delays for both private and public transportation and other disruptions. Protests may intensify at short notice especially around national days of importance. You should closely monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Over one million British nationals visited India in 2018. Most visits are trouble-free.
Severe air pollution is a major hazard to public health, especially during the winter months. New Delhi and other North Indian cities are currently experiencing extremely high levels of pollution. See Air pollution
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in India. Recent attacks have targeted public places including those visited by foreigners. There have been recent media reports suggesting Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) may have an interest in attacking targets in India. There may be an increased threat to places visited by British nationals such as religious sites, markets, festival venues and beaches. You should be vigilant at this time, monitor local media and take all precautions for your safety. See Terrorism
Maoist (or Naxalite) insurgents specifically target police officers, paramilitary forces and government officials in parts of India, causing several deaths and injuries in 2019/20. The government of India has identified some districts as the worst affected. See Local travel
You should avoid protests and large gatherings. Stampedes have occurred during some events with large crowds, including at political rallies and religious gatherings, resulting in deaths and injuries. They can happen without warning and occasionally result in disorder. See Political situation
Travel in India during the monsoon season (June to October) can be hazardous. See Monsoons
UK health authorities have classified India as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.
The Indian Ministry of Tourism has a 24 hour multi-lingual telephone helpline on toll free number 1800 111 363 providing visitors to India with information about travel and tourism.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support is severely limited in parts of India where the FCDO has existing advice against all travel and all but essential travel (as set out above).
