VISA, DOCUMENTS AND TRAVEL TIPS

Travel details on Iraq

Passengers can only travel to Iraq by obtaining an entry visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq. Passengers travelling to Najaf, Iraq, must secure immigration clearance from Iraqi authorities before the commencement of their journey.

Passengers or travel agents are required to send scanned copies of the following documents to njfai.oktb@gmail.com at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure:

For individual passenger 

You will need to carry the following documents with you:

• Copy of passport of first, last page with address detail, ECNR
• Copy of visa, stamped on passport or paper visa 
• Copy of ticket (ITR) where the ticket number is legible

For group booking reference number/PNR

Please ensure the below-mentioned documents are available to be presented to officials:

• Copy of passport 
• Copy of ticket of any one passenger 
• Copy of group visa 
• Group visa approval number 
• Group booking reference number printout with names of all passengers.  

Other conditions: All passengers in the group must travel together inbound and outbound; otherwise, permission is to be sought via email. Our Najaf office will access the above email, obtain Iraq immigration and update booking reference number.

Before reporting to the airport, passengers must check the relevant clearance by contacting the Air India office or contact centre. Please reach the airport at least 4 hours before departure.

Visa requirements for passengers travelling between Male and other countries via India 

Foreign nationals travelling between Male and other countries via India must have a visa. The connection involves travel in a domestic sector within India. Those who have a valid visa will be allowed boarding. 

Verify work visa for seamless travel

Guests travelling to Male for work are requested to verify your work visa to ensure a smooth travel experience. This proactive measure minimises potential INAD instances and maintains the highest service standards.

Travel advisory for Nepal

Are you planning to trek through the Himalayan ranges or visit the majestic temples in Nepal? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind for your journey to or from Nepal.

Documents to carry

If you are an Indian national travelling to or from Nepal, you must carry:

1. A valid and original Indian passport
   OR
2. An original voter ID

Note

• Downloaded digital copies or printed documents will not be acceptable as valid travel documents.
• An Aadhaar (UID) card is not an acceptable travel document for travel to Nepal.
• Certificate of Registration issued by the Embassy of India in Nepal to Indian nationals will not be accepted when travelling to or from Nepal.

Additional information and guidelines for Indian nationals 

1. You can travel from Nepal with an emergency certificate issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu. Please note, the emergency certificate is valid only for a single trip from Nepal.
   
2. If you and your family are travelling together to or from Nepal, each family member must carry either their original and valid India passport or voter ID.

Below are a few exceptions to the above-mentioned mandatory requirements: 

1. For infants aged 0-2 years, you may carry their:
   
   • Original and valid passport
     OR
   • Original birth certificate
   Note: Please ensure the birth certificate includes the infant’s photograph and clearly mentions names of both parents.
   
   
2. Children and young passengers of age 3-18 years must carry their: 
   • Original and valid passport
     OR
   • Original birth certificate that includes the passenger’s photograph.
     OR
   • Photo identification issued by a government, school, or college
     

   Note: Please ensure the issued ID includes the photograph of the passenger along with the date of birth, and the names of both parents.

   Additionally, the minor/young passenger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

3. If you are an adult of age 65 years or above:
   • You may carry any government-issued ID such as a Senior Citizen Card, along with your Aadhaar card, valid Voter ID, or Passport to verify your age and identity.
   • If you are travelling alone, you must carry either your valid and original passport or voter ID.
   • If you are travelling with your family, you can carry a PAN card or any government-issued photo ID card if other family members are carrying their voter ID or passport.

Information and guidelines for Nepali nationals

1. For minors and young passengers of age 0-16 years, please carry the following documents:
   • Any government, school, or college issued ID that includes the passenger’s photograph and date of birth.
   • If travelling with a guardian or relative their ID proof is essential. Additionally, a consent letter from the parents that is validated by a local authority (municipality) is required.
     
2. For adults aged 16 to 65 years, please carry one of the below mentioned documents:
   • Original and Valid Passport
   • Nepali Citizenship Card

For the latest information on travel guidelines when travelling to Nepal, please visit:

• Embassy of India, Kathmandu - Valid Travel Documents
• इन्डियन नागरिकको लागि सूचना
• Department of Immigration, Kathmandu - Information for Indian Nationals

New Zealand’s Electronic Travel Authority  

Passengers are requested to visit immigration.govt.nz to check if they need an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. The only official way to request an NZeTA is through the government website or the mobile app. Passengers should not request their NZeTA through any unauthorised third party.

Passengers travelling on New Zealand or Australian passports and those without visas do not need an NZeTA. To find out more, visit immigration.govt.nz/zeta.

Waiver on flights for Russia

Have you booked a flight ticket to or from Moscow, Russia, but are still determining your travel due to the recent events in the country? Don't worry. We understand your concern and have come up with a solution. Passengers with confirmed Air India tickets flying in and out of Sheremetyevo - A.S. Pushkin International Airport (SVO), Moscow, can make one free change (flight or date) to a new date within the ticket's validity.

Passengers can apply for a refund free of cost. However, make sure the booking is cancelled for the ticket to be considered a 'no-show'.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card

Starting 01 May 2025, all non-Thai nationals travelling to Thailand by land, sea, or air must also fill out and submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival, regardless of whether the trip is for business or personal reasons. 

The application must be submitted three days prior to arrival. For detailed instructions and to fill out the TDAC, click here.   

Online immigration system - eVisa

The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) is introducing eVisa, a complete digital immigration system that allows you a secure and faster way to access, prove, and share your immigration status. 

With the introduction of eVisa, the following changes will apply:

• Starting 31 December 2024, Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Resident Cards (BRCs) will no longer be accepted as evidence of your immigration status. 
• Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Resident Cards (BRCs) will not be issued after 1 January 2025.

To better understand and learn how the eVisa system applies to you, head to Government of UK – eVisa guidelines.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

If you are travelling to the UK for a short visit (up to 6 months), you need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).  

For more details on the requirements, application, and information visit Government of UK – Apply for an ETA.

Passport and visa requirements

You can cross the UK border using a valid passport, which should be valid the whole time you are in the UK. The EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can travel for short trips without a visa to the UK. 

You cannot use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless:

• You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes. 
• You have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
• Have a frontier worker permit. 
• You are a S2 Healthcare visitor.

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the groups mentioned can still use their ID cards to travel to the UK until 31 December 2025. They will also be able to use them after that date if the cards meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

This will also not apply to Gibraltar ID cards issued to British citizens or passport cards issued to Irish citizens. They will continue to be accepted for travel to the UK.

Passengers under 18 years of age

For the safety and welfare of every child, passengers under 18 years travelling without a parent or legal guardian must arrive with written consent as per the UK Border Force. 

If the child is travelling alone to the UK, a consent form must be signed by both parents. 

For the most recent and additional information, visit https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/if-youre-under-18..

Children travelling from the UK

Suppose you are travelling with a child from the United Kingdom. In that case, you must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for the child or from a court of law before taking the minor abroad. 

You must carry the consent form and have a valid photo identification proof (passport or driving license) of both the parents and the child's birth certificate.

You can also email the consent form with the valid photo identification proof of both the parents and the child's birth certificate to aitraffic.lhr@airindia.com at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.  

For more details, refer to https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad.

Are you planning to carry funds in or out of Singapore?

Here is what you should know:

• All passengers entering or leaving Singapore and carrying more than S$20,000 in total value of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI)  (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), must submit the necessary CBNI declarations electronically. You can access the electronic form by:

1. Downloading the MyICA mobile application and selecting “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration”.
2. Alternatively, submitting the declaration via ICA’s website at https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration.

• Upon the successful submission of the electronic CBNI declaration, you will receive an acknowledgement email which can be provided as proof of declaration to ICA officers when required at all checkpoints.
•  If there are changes to the amounts and/or foreign currencies you are carrying before arriving in or departing from Singapore after having made the initial submission, you will have to re-submit a fresh declaration with the revised amounts.

For more information refer SPF | Physical Currency And Bearer Negotiable Instruments Report (Traveller) (Form Np 727) To Be Submitted Electronically From 13 May 2024

e-Arrival Card
The e-Arrival card simplifies the immigration process for foreign visitors to South Korea, providing a more convenient and efficient entry experience.

Eligibility

• The e-Arrival card is required for foreign travellers entering South Korea.
• Exemptions include visitors with a valid Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) or an Alien Registration Card.

When to Submit
The e-Arrival card can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival and remains valid until immigration inspection.

How to Submit
Visit the official website.

Additional Information
If you miss applying for the e-Arrival card, arrival cards are available at the airport. Please ensure you fill these before you head for immigration. 

As per the Department of Foreign Affairs, based upon Presidential directive, the following visa rule will be applicable for Indian nationals:

You may be granted visa-free entry for up to 14 days to the Philippines.

Here are a few guidelines to be followed when travelling to Philippines through the visa-free entry option:

• No Extension Allowed: As stated by the Bureau of Immigration, you will not be provided with an extension to stay beyond 14 days.
• Non-Convertible Visa: Travel through this option cannot be converted to any other type of visa category in the Philippines.
• Flexible Entry Points: You can travel to Philippines through any entry port, i.e., major international airports, secondary international hubs, or seaports – cruise ships/ vessels.
• Purpose of Visit: The reason for your visit must be strictly tourism.
• Clean Immigration Record: You must not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration.

Documents Required

If you are travelling through the visa-free entry option, you will have to present the following documents at the entry port:

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay.
• Confirmed hotel bookings.
  
• Proof of financial capacity, for example, bank statements, certificate of employment, etc.
• Return ticket or an onward ticket to your next destination.  

As per the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, below are the requirements for passengers and crew when entering, transiting, or departing the Maldives international airport:

The items mentioned below are strictly prohibited to be imported into Maldives:

• Vapes, e-cigarettes, and related products and devices
• Materials contrary to Islam
• Narcotics and psychotropic substances
• Pornographic materials
• Idols (for worship)
• Pigs

The following products may be permitted to be carried into the country with a valid permit or license:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Pork and its by-products
• Dogs and dangerous animals
• Plants and animals that fall under the convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Gun powder, explosives, firearms, weapons, ammunition, spear guns, and certain types of chemicals.

Items of personal use, mentioned below may be imported into Maldives without any custom duty:

• Goods not exceeding MVR 10000 or equivalent (based on FOB value).
• 200 cigarettes, 35 cigars, or 250 gm tobacco for passengers over the age of 18 entering the country on a tourist visa.
• Toiletries, clothes, personal laptop, and appropriate amount of jewellery.

Currency and monetary instruments equivalent to or exceeding USD 10000 or their equivalent valuation in any currency, must be declared when arriving to or departing from Maldives to Customs.

Currency can be declared online through the Maldives Custom Service - Cash Declaration.

The export of the following restricted or prohibited items is strictly prohibited unless the passenger or crew possess a valid permit or license:

• Black corals
• Corals and Sea Anemones
• Triton Shells
• Pearl Oysters
• Lobsters
• Turtles and turtle shells
• Conches/ Sangu
• Giant Clams
• Shark or shark fins

Export of items that require an export license or special permission from any government authority will not be allowed except in limited quantities as determined by Customs.