In a big relief to thousands of Indian expatriates, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced the air bubble arrangementbetween India and Saudi Arabia, starting from 1st January 2022.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced it through its official twitter account stating, "Embassy is pleased to announce air bubble arrangement between India and Saudi Arabia with effect from January 1st, 2022".
- In this new Air bubble agreement, airlines will now be able to operate services between two countries in compliance with Corona virus regulations. Trending : Check Saudi Exit Re-Entry visa validity online
What is Air Bubble arrangement?
- Air Bubble agreements are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of Corona pandemic. Which also means airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.
- As per India and Saudi Arabia air bubble agreement, Indian and Saudi Arabian carriers are now allowed to operate passenger flights between India nd Saudi Arabia, and carry the following categories of persons on such flights.
For Travelers from India to Saudi Arabia :
1. Nationals and Residents of Saudi Arabia. See Also : Check iqama expiry date before entering into Saudi Arabia
2. Any Indian national or citizen of Nepal or Bhutan holding a valid visa of Saudi Arabia and destined for Saudi Arabia only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian or Nepalese or Bhutanese nationals to enter Saudi Arabia before issuing ticket or boarding pass to the Indian or Nepalese or Bhutanese passenger.
For Travelers from Saudi Arabia to India :
1. Indian Nationals or Nepal and Bhutan citizens in Saudi Arabia
2. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders holding passports of any country. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Non-Indian nationals to enter India with a particular visa category before issuing ticket or boarding pass to the passenger.
3. Saudi Arabian nationals, including diplomats holding a valid Indian visa as per extant guidelines. Like and Follow Saudi Expatriates on Facebook
- Traffic carried to or from India shall include of passengers originating from or related to Saudi Arabia only, and similarly traffic carried to or from Saudi Arabia shall comprise of passengers originating from or related to India only.
Saudi Arabia approved Covaxin for Travel :
On 20th December, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has announced that Saudi Arabia has approved the Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for travel and Indian nationals vaccinated with 'Covaxin' can now enter into the Kingdom.
- However, the vaccinated certificates must be uploaded to Ministry of Health website for residents and at Muqeem website for visitors.
SOURCE SAUDI-EXPATRIATES
