India’s travel bubble extends to 13 countries; Japan added to the list

Japan is the latest country to make it to the list of India’s travel bubble, thereby taking the count to 13. As per this agreement, India and Japan will now be allowed to operate flights between the two countries. This comes after the latest announcement in this regard, made by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

However, all airlines will have to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals with a particular visa category to enter Japan before issuing tickets.
As of now, India has been able to enter into a travel arrangement with 13 countries, which includes the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, France, United Arab Emirates, Canada, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Japan.

Apart from these, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a series of tweets, announced that India is negotiating with several other countries to enter into such travel arrangements. These include countries, such as Singapore, Russia, Israel, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand.

Air Bubbles are in place with 13 countries.

Others are being finalised.

In addition to existing countries, people can also fly between India & Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Maldives, Nigeria & Qatar.

Carriers of India & these countries will operate.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) September 18, 2020

Who will be allowed to fly to Japan from India?

As per the latest arrangement, Indians holding any type of valid Japanese visa can travel to Japan. Apart from this, this arrangement will also allow stranded foreign nationals and Japanese nationals with valid Japanese visas to travel from India to Japan. These include anyone holding valid visas issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Japan. However, all these will be subject to travel restrictions and border measures if any imposed by the Japanese Government and vice versa.