The Australian government has revised circumstance under which the “India travel” permission can be granted.
Based on current health advice, any individual who is seeking an exemption to travel from Australia to India will only be approved for the following limited reasons.
- Critical workers providing assistance to India’s COVID-19 response
- People travelling in Australia’s national interest
- People seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness that cannot be treated in Australia
- People travelling due to the death or funeral of a close family member
- People visiting a close family member who is critically ill
- People seeking to travel to India to escort an Australian citizen or permanent resident minor back to Australia.
However, before the travel person need
Supporting evidence must be provided.
The ‘exceptional circumstances’ exemption criteria outlined in the Outward Travel Restrictions Operation Directive, excluding the limited circumstances stated above do not currently apply to people seeking to travel to India.
Click this link to apply online for an exemption
Please make only one request per person. Duplicate requests will delay assessment. If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with travel plans, as you will not be permitted to depart Australia. If you are granted a travel exemption, you will need to take evidence of that exemption decision to the airport.
COVID-19 vaccinations now available for essential overseas travel
Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category are now able to access COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you have a travel exemption granted for eligible reasons before 20 May 2021, and have not left Australia, you can submit a new travel exemption request. Upload all relevant documents and state that you wish to be eligible for vaccination before travelling.
You will not be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination if your outward travel exemption is granted for ‘compelling reasons for at least 3 months’.
Temporary visa holders under 50 years of age who are currently in Australia and have an approved inwards travel exemption for return travel to Australia are eligible to access COVID-19 vaccinations.
To be eligible, your inward travel exemption must be granted on or after 8 June 2021. If you have an inwards travel exemption to return to Australia granted before 8 June 2021, and have not left Australia, you can submit a new travel exemption request. Upload all relevant documents and state that you wish to be eligible for vaccination before travelling.
COVID-19 vaccines before travel are not mandatory. You should follow expert health advice and access a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as practicable.
For more information on how to make a vaccination appointment visit the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.
