Airlines have been given detailed guidelines about passengers who are eligible to travel

In the process of gradual resumption of the international flights amid the pandemic situation, India has entered an Air Bubble agreement with Canada. This makes flying to Canada easier for the Indians under COVID19 circumstances.

The Indian Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, tweeted on Sunday, “More flights, destinations and air bubbles being put in place to facilitate inbound and outbound international travel of stranded citizens under Vande Bharat Mission. More than 17 lakhs people have facilitated since 6 May 2020. Reaching out to more everyday.”


The rules of eligible passengers stated for the airlines are as follows:

From Canada to India:

  • Stranded Indian nationals;

  • All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Canadian passports; and

  • Foreigners (including diplomats), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020 as amended from time to time.

From India to Canada:

  • Stranded Canadian nationals/residents and foreigners with valid Canadian visa eligible to enter Canada;

  • Indian nationals with valid visas eligible to enter Canada. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Canada before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.

  • Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

Earlier, Puri had announced that India would soon sign air bubble agreements with more countries.

“Vande Bharat Mission. Adding more flights & destinations to reach out to stranded citizens. Bubble arrangements in place with 13 countries. Talks are on with other countries. Facilitated repatriation & outbound international travel of more than 17 lakh stranded people,” he said.