India is a beautiful country, and if you want to enjoy everything that the amazing country of India has to offer, it's essential to know all about the India Vaccination requirements. Getting all the necessary vaccines and documents is just part of planning your trip so you can enjoy your experience to the fullest.
Luckily it is no longer mandatory to fill in the Self Declaration Form pre-travel to India. In this article, we’ll share with you some essential information about the vaccination requirements to visit India and some handy tips and tricks to make the most of your trip, be well prepared, and avoid any infectious diseases during your trip to India.
Which vaccines do I need to travel to India?
You are not required to get any vaccines before your trip to India. However, if you have travel plans to India and to avoid any risk, it is recommended to have the following vaccines up to date: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, polio, and tetanus. It’s essential to carry the vaccination certificates.
Bear in mind that a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travelers arriving from countries regarded as having a high-risk of yellow fever transmission. If you come from the countries below, you’ll be required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.
- In Africa, the countries are Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte dʼIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
- In the Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad only), and Venezuela (the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).
It's no longer necessary for travelers to have a COVID-19 vaccine to enter India or a negative COVID test result before traveling.
Passengers coming from China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong no longer need a pre-departure test.
What are the requirements for my COVID-19 vaccination certificate?
- It is not mandatory to be fully vaccinated to travel to India, but it is highly recommended for international travel.
Since the information regarding COVID-19 restrictions changes rapidly, we recommend that you stay tuned to our product page. We have created a user-friendly widget that will give you a bird’s eye view of all COVID-19-related restrictions. You can find it on the right side of the page.
Are there other COVID-19-related requirements to enter India?
Travelers don’t need to quarantine on arrival in India. However, symptomatic travelers must immediately quarantine in a designated quarantine facility subsequently for follow-up treatment. After arrival, travelers must self-monitor their health. Travelers must report to their nearest health facility or call the national or state helpline number in case of COVID-19 symptoms.
There are no quarantine requirements. Travelers don’t need to have health insurance, though it is recommended to protect yourself in case of severe disease.
There will be random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival. Children under 12 years of age are exempted from post-arrival random testing.
How can I apply for the India Self Declaration?
It's no longer necessary to apply for the India Self Declaration before traveling to India.
What other documents do I need for my trip to India?
Some nationalities require an Indian visa. The Tourist eVisa can be processed online through iVisa.com. To get your Indian visa all you need is to fill out an application form, upload some documents, and pay the fee. We recommend using our visa checker tool to confirm if you need an Indian visa.
What additional health precautions should I consider for my trip to India?
If you have all your vaccines up-to-date, you’re one step ahead in protecting yourself from India’s endemic diseases. However, you cannot let your guard down if you want to enjoy every hour in the country. Many common diseases afflict travelers, but there are also easy ways to reduce risks.
How to prevent Delhi Belly (Traveler’s diarrhea)
This is a widespread illness that affects up to 70% of travelers that visit India. The causes can be different from traveler to traveler, from viral or bacterial infections to gastrointestinal intolerances or foreign cuisine. To prevent Delhi Belly, you’ll need to be intelligent and cautious.
- Wash your hands - It might sound obvious, but we touch many things when we travel, and then touch our faces and mouths, and that’s the perfect passageway for bacteria and viruses to enter our body. Especially in India, where it’s customary to eat with our hands, there’s an increased risk of getting contaminated food into your body. That’s why it’s essential to wash your hands frequently.
- Watch what you eat and drink - If possible, drink bottled water or beverages. Do not drink anything with ice, as it might be made with tap or unclean water. And by all means, use your judgment when selecting a place to eat to avoid contaminated food. Avoid street carts if you have a susceptible digestive tract and always be careful when choosing a restaurant.
- Be prepared - If all fails, you need to be ready to face it. If possible, bring Imodium and antibiotics to treat your symptoms.
Tips to avoid mosquito bites
Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis are all transmitted via mosquito bites, so you’ll need to take some precautions to avoid them as much as possible. The first thing you need to do is get a good insect repellent. Apply it every day before you leave your hotel and reapply regularly during the day, especially if you’re visiting rural areas, the jungle, or the riverside. Mosquitos are most active in the early hours of the morning, and at sundown, so you’ll need to be extra careful during this time.
Another thing you need to consider is covering exposed skin. India is warm, so you’ll be tempted to wear shorts and tank tops. Instead, bring pants and long-sleeve shirts made of fresh fabrics like linen and cotton. They will protect you from mosquito bites, damaging sun rays, and heat.
