Indian government allows tourist visa holders to fly to UAE, US, UK and Canada under air bubble agreement

Photo courtesy: dakotaviking on Pixabay
Photo courtesy: dakotaviking on Pixabay

In a letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that air travellers from India, with any kind of valid visa, will be allowed to travel to the US, UK, Canada and UAE under a bilateral Air Bubble agreement with these countries. This includes those with tourist, business, student and transit visas.

The move comes ahead of the 2020 Indian Premier League, which is being held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The easing of travel restrictions means that fans can now travel to the UAE for the IPL though it is yet to be determined how many spectators will be allowed into the stadiums to watch the matches. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic under control in the UAE, the nation is amongst a few in the world allowing tourists to visit. 

Currently, Indigo and GoAir are carrying out repatriation flights from the Gulf countries while Air India and Spicejet are operating long haul flights to the US, Canada and European Nations.