Health Alert – U.S. Mission to India
Location: India
Event: The Embassy and Consulates have successfully repatriated more than 5,100 travelers from across India to the United States. We are currently pausing repatriation flights in order to assess ongoing demand and determine what degree of assistance may be needed as the authorities lift lock-down restrictions. We will notify all those who have registered requesting a seat on a flight as flights resume, but as previously stated in our messaging, please be aware that there is no certainty that flights will continue at the same pace and regularity as over the last month. Those who wish to depart should consider seriously the next invitation for a flight, as flights will not continue indefinitely.
Please do not call the Embassy or Consulates to confirm flight details; we will e-mail you if you are confirmed for a seat on a new flight.
The flights would likely follow the same route as previous flights: New Delhi to San Francisco, and Mumbai to Atlanta. Please understand this flight is not free. All passengers will need to reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight. Previous flights have cost between $2,000 and $2,500 per person. A legal document, called a promissory note, for the full cost of the flight must be signed by each adult passenger before boarding. However, payment is not required at the time of the flight. Please review payment information on promissory notes (DS-5528) here. While your passport will not be canceled, U.S. citizens who have signed a loan agreement for repatriation may not be eligible for new passports until the loan is repaid.
You will be responsible for any arrangements or costs (including lodging and travel to onward destinations) beyond San Francisco or Atlanta. Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy is unable to book any onward travel or other arrangements for you. The exact departure time and routing of these chartered flights are subject to change.
Unless you receive an email from the U.S Mission in India confirming your flight, please do not appear at the airport. Only U.S. persons with confirmations from the U.S. Mission to India will be allowed to board the flights.
Actions to Take:
- Check your email regularly for messages from the U.S. Mission to India and consider carefully whether to take advantage of the flights being offered now. There are no guarantees there will be additional flights.
- Have your travel documents ready. A valid U.S. passport and Indian visa will be required for travel.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
- For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding U.S. and foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts. Please also refer to the travel.state.gov FAQs.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in India.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the United States.
- Review the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website for information on COVID-19 and Indian travel advisories.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021
telephone: +91-11-2419-8000
