International flights update: India’s travel bubble reaches 13, citizens can travel to Japan and other countries

The travel bubble of India now covers 13 countries, and the latest addition to the list is Japan. As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s recent announcement, Indians can now fly to Japan and Japanese carriers have been permitted to resume services between the two countries.

Given the ongoing pandemic, international flights in India are suspended till September 30. Amid this, the country has created a bi-lateral air bubble setup with 13 countries, namely Germany, Canada, France, Maldives, UK, Iraq, USA, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Nigeria, Qatar, UAE and now Japan.
The Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter and said, “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 and these countries will operate.”

In his tweets, the minister also mentioned that India is negotiating with 13 other countries to restart international flights, including Thailand, Australia, Kenya, Italy, Russia, Israel, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and South Korea.
Who can travel to Japan?

1) Stranded Indian nationals

2) All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Japan

3) Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Japan, subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the government of Japan, at the time of travel.

Who else can travel?

As of now, Indians with a visa validity of at least one month are eligible to travel to all the 13 countries. Besides, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) holders can come to India. The aviation ministry is soon expected to announce detailed guidelines around this.