LOANS

The Australian Government will provide additional support to the most vulnerable Australian citizens whose return to Australia has been impacted by the restrictions arising from COVID-19. Full details about the assistance, including eligibilty criteria and how to apply, are available at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19/covid-19-overseas-financial-assistance 

HOTELS

If you have any problems with hotels, including hotels accepting bookings, please contact the 24/7 Indian Government tourism hotline on 1800 11 1363 (available in 12 languages).

VISAS

All existing visas, except electronic visas (e-Visa), Tourist visa and Medical Visa, which remained suspended, shall stand restored with immediate effect. If the validity of such visa has expired, the foreign national may obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category/sub-category from the Indian Mission/Post concerned.

ADVISORY: TRAVEL AND VISA RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO COVID-19 (boi.gov.in). To extend your visa apply online through FRRO/FRO.

EXTENSION OF INDIA'S FLIGHT BAN

India has extended its ban on regular scheduled international passenger flights until 31 May. However, international all-cargo operations and flights specifically allowed to operate by the Indian aviation regulator, such as repatriation flights, charter flights, and flights under the Vande Bharat Mission, will continue to operate. We have prepared responses to frequently asked questions, including covering existing flight bookings, charter options, visa extensions and tips for the lockdown in India. Read more...

ATTENTION: Be careful when choosing charter fights    

Many people are asking us about other private charter options being promoted. Be aware: only flights we notify registered Australians about have the approvals required to operate. Please be cautious about other options.

RETURING TO AUSTRALIA

Australia’s National Cabinet has agreed to a temporary pause of direct passenger flights between India and Australia until 15 May 2021. Flights to India once resumed will focus on supporting vulnerable Australians return home. Further info here.

Pre-departure COVID-19 testing

Following the decision by National Cabinet (8 January 2021) and announcement from the Prime Minister, if you’re travelling to Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point.

• This applies to all travellers five years of age or older departing on flights on or after 22 January 2021.
• You must be tested 72 hours or less prior to departure and present a negative result when checking in prior to boarding your flight.
• If you transit through a third country on your return journey to Australia, you should check on any local requirements at your transit destination and follow the advice of local authorities on social distancing and mask wearing while in transit.

Anyone who has a negative test result and enters Australia, must still complete mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in your port of arrival. More information could be found in Smartraveller under Returning to Australia.

We are sending updates on flight options to Australians who have registered with us (see above on how to do so). We will update this website when there is any change in this advice or if new airline information becomes available.

The Australian government continues to investigate commercial flights options to repatriate those wanting to return to Australia. The planning and coordination of these flights will affect consideration of privately-organised charter flights. 

If you have sought approval for a privately-organised charter, you can expect to be contacted by the Australian Border Force. The AHC New Delhi is unable to provide any assistance for private charter flights until such approvals have been provided in Australia.

We continue to assess all such requests against a range of factors, including the need to manage and sequence the return of Australians into our international airports so that Commonwealth, State and Territory authorities can successfully implement reception arrangements, including mandatory quarantine requirements.

Payment and Services to Australians returning from overseas

Movement Passes

If you have purchased a ticket on a flight to Australia a movement pass from the Indian government to travel to the city from where your flight is departing is no longer required. However, you should contact and consult the state governments you need to pass through to confirm what requirements they may have and comply with these.

Quarantine period

All travellers returning to Australia will be required to undertake a mandatory 14 day quarantine at designated facilities at their port of entry. You will be directed to a facility (such as a hotel) on arrival in Australia and will be required to stay there for 14 days before you can complete any onward travel or return to your home. The accommodation, along with food, water and any medical support will be provided by the Australian Government. See the Smartraveller website for more.

Should you then wish to travel to another state or territory you may be subject to an additional period of quarantine or other restrictions. You should keep up with the latest information from the relevant State and Territory Governments:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland  

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia  

FOOD AND MEDICINE

As you know, the Indian Government has announced further relaxaions to restrictions on activities outside of containment zones. Indian authorities advise that people will have access to food and medicine in containment zones. 

For those staying in hotels, you should be able to drive or walk to nearby shops and pharmacies. If you are having problems, we suggest asking your hotel, local authorities or friends to help you get essential supplies.

If you have any problems. Contact us: (Business hours: +91 11 4139 9900, [email protected]; For outside of business hours: +612 6261 3305).

You can also call the Police on 100.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA 

The Morrison Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Media Announcement: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/supporting-international-students-support-australian-jobs.aspx)

International students are extremely important to Australia and our economy, contributing $40 billion annually and supporting 250,000 jobs. Many also go on to become great Australian citizens.

While the closure of our international borders has been critical to our success in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and Australia has been a leader in this regard, it has presented challenges to the education sector and students, both here and offshore.

These five visa changes will ensure international students are not worse off due to the coronavirus pandemic and that Australia remains competitive with other countries.

The changes include:

• The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.

• International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge, if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.

• Student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.

• Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.

• Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.

International Students in Australia Factsheet

See also the Australian government's portal on support available for international students in Australia during COVID-19.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

• The Australian Government advises all Australians: Do not travel overseas at this time. This is the highest advice level. Please see the Smartraveller website for more information on COVID-19 for Australian travellers.
•  On 24 March 2020, Prime Minister Morrison announced a ban on Australians travelling overseas under the Biosecurity Act 2015. This is on top of the Australian Government’s standing advice to Australians not to travel overseas. It is effective from midday on 25 March 2020.
• The Australian Government has announced that from 21:00hrs on 20 March 2020 only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. Please visit the Visas and Citizenship section for more information.
• Indian Government Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/   
• Indian Ministry of Tourism website to help forieign tourists in India: http://strandedinindia.com/ 
• Social distancing: Australian Government advice, Indian Government advice 
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) What you need to Know Factsheet  

CONTACTS

• Australian High Commission consular assistance
  • Business hours: +91 11 4139 9900, [email protected] 
  • For outside of business hours: +612 6261 3305    
• Australian High Commission
  • Facebook
  • Twitter: @AusHCIndia @AusDHCIndia
  • Instagram
• Australian Consulate General Chennai
  • Twitter: @AusCGChennai
• Australian Consulate General Kolkata
  • Twitter: @AusCGKolkata
• Australian Consulate General Mumbai
  • Twitter @AusCG_Mumbai
• Key Indian Government contact points:
  • Indian Government central helpline number for COVID-19: +91-11-23978046
  • Indian state and territory government COVID-19 helplines.        
  • Indian Government tourism hotline: 1800 11 1363 (available in 12 languages).