The Indian government has recently discontinued the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form for international travelers entering India. This form was initially introduced in August 2020 to track potential COVID-19 cases related to international travel and streamline the airport process.

Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI cardholders) do not require a visa to enter India. However, foreign passport holders, including US citizens, must obtain an India Visa, unless they are from a visa-exempt country. For more information on India visa requirements, please visit the official website.

The Requirement & Process for Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form in the Past

If you are planning to fill out the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form, there are a few important points to consider. In this article, I will address your concerns and provide guidance for completing the form. Let's get started.

Overview of the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form for International Travelers to India

In India, the New Delhi Airport requires all international passengers to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration. This contactless solution is mandated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). It is an Indian health declaration form that helps track the spread of coronavirus and identify potentially infected travelers. 

The form can be found on the Air Suvidha Online Portal of the New Delhi Airport website and must be presented at all international airports in India. To ensure entry into India and boarding the flight, it is crucial to submit the India Health Declaration form online before departure. The approved form will be emailed to you, and you must carry a printed copy with you.

Who is Required to Fill the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form?

All international arriving passengers, including Indian Citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI cardholders), and foreign nationals, are required to fill out the mandatory Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form. This form must be completed prior to their departure for India through the Air Suvidha online portal. Even passengers transiting through Indian airports, regardless of their final destination, are obligated to fill out the self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal.

Adult passengers are personally responsible for completing their own self-declaration form, providing all the necessary information. However, for children under the age of 5, parents or guardians can fill out the form on their behalf.

In addition, travelers entering India via seaports or land ports must also complete the self-declaration form and submit it to the Indian Authorities at the respective ports. Similarly, for children under the age of 5, a duly-filled self-declaration form is required. Parents or legal guardians can complete the form on behalf of their young children.

Essential Requirements for Completing the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form

To make filling out the online form easier, it's important to know which documents are required. For passengers arriving in India on international flights, the mandatory form to submit is the health declaration form.

To fill out the self-declaration form, you will need the following documents:

• Valid passport copy
• Covid vaccination certificate showing the full primary dose administered from an eligible country
• OR Negative RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours of departure
• Working phone number
• Valid email address
• Travel details

For children under the age of 5, parents or legal guardians should provide the required information on the child's self-declaration form, along with a copy of the child's passport for age verification.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to upload a negative RT-PCR test result, as per the new government guidelines. The covid-19 vaccination certificate from eligible countries, such as the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, and others, is accepted in India. The final dose of vaccination must be administered at least 15 days before arriving in India.

Children under 5 are exempt from the covid-19 test requirement. However, thermal screenings are conducted at all Indian airports, and if a child or adult shows covid-19 symptoms, they will be subjected to a test. The cost of this test will be borne by the passenger. If the test result is positive, the passenger will have to undergo a minimum of 14 days of institutional quarantine and 7 days of self-monitoring, at their own expense.

It's crucial to check the specific covid-19 test requirements of your airline before your flight, as they may have different regulations in place.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fill Out the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form

To fill out the self-reporting form, follow these steps:

• Check-in for your flight first to gather all necessary flight details.
• Visit the official New Delhi Airport Website to access the application form.
• Provide the following basic details on the self-declaration form:
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Flight Number
  • Seat Number (type '00' if not applicable)
  • Passport Number
  • Port of Origin
  • Date of Arrival
  • Mobile Number
  • Email ID

• Upload the following documents on the air Suvidha portal:
  • Passport Copy
  • Vaccination Certificate
  • RT-PCR Negative Certificate

• Fill in your residential or accommodation details:
  • House Number
  • Street/Village
  • Tehsil
  • State/Union Territories
  • District/City
  • Pin code

• Provide your health status information and answer the yes or no questions regarding symptoms and medical conditions:
  • Fever, Cough, or Respiratory Distress
  • Diabetes, Hypertension, Bronchial Asthma, Cancer, Under Immunosuppressive Therapy, or Post-transplant Patients

Ensure you have all the required information and documents before starting the self-declaration process.

Guidelines for Completing the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form for Children or Minors

If the children are too young to complete the online form, parents or legal guardians are authorized to do so on their behalf. The online form allows for the inclusion of additional passengers. When filling out the form, there will be an option at the bottom labeled "How many passengers are traveling?" It will appear something like this:

This is where you can provide the necessary information for your child. You can enter all the details of your child under the section "Co-Passenger Details: Passenger 2." Additionally, you are required to upload a valid copy of your child's passport and relevant information.

After completing all the required fields, you simply need to submit the form.

Please ensure that the file size of any documents you upload does not exceed 1MB. File names should only contain hyphens and should not include special characters or spaces.

How to Download the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form

Once you have successfully submitted the form, a message will appear on your screen containing a Reference/Request Number (SRxxxxxxxx). 

This unique reference number is essential for monitoring and modifying your self-declaration form. To track or make changes to the form, you will also need your Passport Number and Date of Birth, which can be accessed in the top right-hand corner of the Air Suvidha section.

To check the status of your application, you can utilize the "Track Application Status" feature on the online portal. This will allow you to determine whether your application has been approved. Once your air suvidha application form is approved, a downloadable self-declaration form will be made available. Please note that it may take approximately 10 minutes for the approved form to be visible on the online platform. The approved form will resemble something like the following:

Receiving the Approved Air Suvidha Form: What You Need to Know

While it is possible to acquire the authorized application form online, it will also be sent to you through email. After completing the air suvidha form online, an email will be dispatched to you by the Airport Authorities containing the subsequent notification:

"Your submission for the Self Declaration form has been transmitted to the Airport Health Organization (APHO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India."

In this email, you will discover the endorsed self-declaration form. It is imperative to verify the accuracy of all the details provided on the form. Additionally, you have the option to download the Air Suvidha form from your email.

Post-Download Instructions for the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form

To ensure a seamless immigration process upon your arrival in India, it is imperative that you download and print the Air Suvidha form in advance. Failing to submit the form on the Air Suvidha portal before your departure and not having the approved self-declaration form on hand upon arrival may result in denial of entry to India.

It is essential that you PRINT the approved Air Suvidha form prior to your journey to India.

Air Suvidha Form vs. Visa: Understanding the Difference

The Air Suvidha Declaration Form does not serve as a substitute for a visitor or tourist visa. If you do not have the privilege of visa-free travel to India, you will need to submit a India visa application. Fortunately, the Indian government provides an India e-Visa option for all incoming travelers.

Troubleshooting Guide: Issues with Submitting the Air Suvidha Form Online

If you encounter any difficulties while submitting, there's no need to worry. It could be due to the absence of your uploaded Covid-19 test report. To resolve this, you can attempt clearing your cache and cookies, and then resubmit the form. If this doesn't resolve the issue, an alternative option is to upload your Covid vaccination certificate file in the section designated for the RT-PCR Negative Certificate. Please select any date within 72 hours of your departure as the Date of RT-PCR Test Taken. It's important to note that the airport authorities are aware of this issue and have approved this method of form submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it currently obligatory to use Air Suvidha?

Presently, it is not obligatory. The declaration form no longer needs to be completed according to announcements by the Government authorities.

What is the recommended timeframe for completing the Air Suvidha Form?

The Air Suvidha Form should ideally be completed a minimum of 1 day prior to your flight. This is to allow for any potential delays in approval and to ensure you have time to print the approved form for presentation at the Indian airport.

Are US citizens required to obtain a visa for travel from the US to India?

Yes, they are. US citizens need to procure an India e-Visa prior to their journey. Alternatively, a 10-year India Tourist Visa can be applied for before the trip.

Can individuals who haven't received their vaccination visit India?

Indeed, they can. For those who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, it is required to upload a negative RT-PCR test result, taken within the preceding 72 hours, to the online Air Suvidha form.

Is it essential to print the Air Suvidha Form?

Travelers are advised to carry a printed version of the approved and emailed Air Suvidha form. The email will contain a message indicating that passengers must have a printout or digital copy of the application to present at the airport.

Which countries' Covid vaccination certificates are recognized by India?

The list of recognized vaccination certificates can be found HERE.

What is the process for editing the Air Suvidha Form?

Editing the Air Suvidha Form can be done by selecting "Edit Self Declaration Form" in the top right corner of the webpage, under "Air Suvidha". To make modifications, you will need your Registration Number, Passport Number, and Date of Birth. If changes are still needed and cannot be made in time, the best course of action is to complete a new form with the correct details and use that approved Air Suvidha form in India.

When should I complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form?

You are advised not to fill out the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form too far in advance. Ideally, it should be filled out online 24 hours before your flight's departure. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should wait for your Covid-19 RT-PCR Result before applying. Make sure to allot time for submitting the application form and printing the approved form, which you will receive via email.

How long is the wait for the approved Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form?

The approved form should arrive in your inbox within 5-10 minutes. You can also track the status of the application form on the Air Suvidha Portal on the New Delhi Airport website.

What if my arrival isn't at New Delhi Airport?

Even if you're not landing at New Delhi Airport, the same rules apply whether you're arriving in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or any other international airport in India. You still need to fill out the application on the Air Suvidha portal on the New Delhi Airport website.

What is the validity period of the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form?

The form is valid for one entry into India. After that, the validity of the Air Suvidha form expires. If you depart and plan to return, you need to apply for the form again.

Is a visa still necessary for travel to India?

Indeed, it is. You should obtain an e-visa or a relevant visa from an Indian Embassy in your jurisdiction or online prior to your planned travel. The Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form is a requirement and does not substitute your visa.