VISA, DOCUMENTS AND TRAVEL TIPS

Travel details on Iraq

Passengers can only travel to Iraq by obtaining an entry visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq. Passengers travelling to Najaf, Iraq, must secure immigration clearance from Iraqi authorities before the commencement of their journey.

Passengers or travel agents are required to send scanned copies of the following documents to njfai.oktb@gmail.com at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure:

For individual passenger 

You will need to carry the following documents with you:

• Copy of passport of first, last page with address detail, ECNR
• Copy of visa, stamped on passport or paper visa 
• Copy of ticket (ITR) where the ticket number is legible

For group PNR 

Please ensure the below-mentioned documents are available to be presented to officials:

• Copy of passport 
• Copy of ticket of any one passenger 
• Copy of group visa 
• Group visa approval number 
• Group PNR print with names of all passengers. 

Other conditions: All passengers in the group must travel together inbound and outbound; otherwise, permission is to be sought via email. Our Najaf office will access the above email, obtain Iraq immigration and update PNR. 

Before reporting to the airport, passengers must check the relevant clearance by contacting the AI office or contact centre. Please reach the airport at least four hours before departure.

Visa requirements for passengers travelling between Male and other countries via India 

Foreign nationals travelling between Male and other countries via India must have a visa. The connection involves travel in a domestic sector within India. Those who have a valid visa will be allowed boarding. 

Verify work visa for seamless travel

Guests travelling to Male for work are requested to verify your work visa to ensure a smooth travel experience. This proactive measure minimises potential INAD instances and maintains the highest service standards.

Travel advisory for Nepal

Are you planning to trek through the Himalayan ranges or visit the majestic temples in Nepal? We at Air India want you to have an experience of a lifetime. If you are an Indian citizen travelling to or from Nepal, we request you to refer to the guidelines below.

You should carry the following documents

• A valid Indian passport or voter ID card.
• A valid photo ID proof issued by the Government of India/State government/Union Territory administration in India to their employees or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission of India.
• Emergency certificate issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu.
• Identity certificate issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu.
• Guests who are over 65 years of age and are travelling alone must carry either a voter ID card or a passport for travel to Nepal. If you are over 65 years of age and traveling with family, you may provide a PAN card or any government-issued photo ID card if other family members are carrying their voter ID card or passport.
• Children between the ages of 15 and 18 may be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the strength of an identity certificate issued by the school principal in the prescribed format.
• If you and your family are travelling together to or from Nepal 
  a. Any one adult in the family should present all four documents mentioned above.   
  b. The rest of the family members are exempt from presenting the above documents except for a valid photo ID and a document that proves the relationship as a family, such as a Central Government Health Scheme card, ration card, driving license or ID card issued by school/college, etc.

For Indian Nationals

• Age Group (0-2 years): An original birth certificate with the names of both parents mentioned or a valid passport.
• Age Group (3-18 years): A valid passport or photo identification issued by the government/school/college. For minors, the date of birth and parents' names must be mentioned on the ID, and they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 
• Age Group (18-65 years): A valid passport or Voter ID card.
• Age Group (65 years and above): Any government-issued ID such as a Senior Citizen Card, along with Aadhaar or a valid Voter ID or Passport, to verify the age and identity of the passenger.

For Nepali Nationals

• Age Group (0-16 years): Any government-issued ID with a photograph and date of birth mentioned. If traveling with a guardian or relative, a consent letter from the parents is required, validated by the local authority (municipality), along with the ID proof.
• Age Group (16-65 years): Only a Voter ID, Passport, or Nepali Citizenship Card is valid for travel.

Note for Indian Citizens:

• An Aadhaar (UID) card is not an acceptable travel document for travel to Nepal.
• Emergency and identity certificate is valid only for a single journey from Nepal. 
• Certificate of Registration issued by the Embassy of India in Nepal to Indian nationals will not be accepted when travelling to or from Nepal.

For the latest information on travel guidelines when travelling to Nepal, visit

• https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/page/valid-travel-documents
• https://www.immigration.gov.np/post/information-for-indian-nationals

New Zealand’s Electronic Travel Authority  

Passengers are requested to visit immigration.govt.nz to check if they need an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. The only official way to request an NZeTA is through the government website or the mobile app. Passengers should not request their NZeTA through any unauthorized third party.

Passengers travelling on New Zealand or Australian passports and those without visas do not need an NZeTA. To find out more, visit immigration.govt.nz/zeta.

Waiver on flights for Russia

Have you booked a flight ticket to or from Moscow, Russia, but are still determining your travel due to the recent events in the country? Don't worry. We understand your concern and have come up with a solution. Passengers with confirmed Air India tickets flying in and out of Sheremetyevo - A.S. Pushkin International Airport (SVO), Moscow, can make one free change (flight or date) to a new date within the ticket's validity.

Passengers can apply for a refund free of cost. However, make sure the booking is cancelled for the ticket to be considered a 'no-show'.

Visa on arrival 

To facilitate passenger flow, the Immigration Authority of Thailand has requested all passengers to download the visa on arrival form and fill it out before arriving in Thailand. Click here to check if you require a visa for your trip.

Passport and visa requirements

You can cross the UK border using a valid passport, which should be valid the whole time you are in the UK. The EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can travel for short trips without a visa to the UK. 

You cannot use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless:

• You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes. 
• You have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
• Have a frontier worker permit. 
• You are a S2 Healthcare visitor.

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the groups mentioned can still use their ID cards to travel to the UK until 31 December 2025. They will also be able to use them after that date if the cards meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

This will also not apply to Gibraltar ID cards issued to British citizens or passport cards issued to Irish citizens. They will continue to be accepted for travel to the UK.

Passengers under 18 years of age

For the safety and welfare of every child, passengers under 18 years travelling without a parent or legal guardian must arrive with written consent as per the UK Border Force. 

If the child is travelling alone to the UK, a consent form must be signed by both parents. 

For the most recent and additional information, visit https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/if-youre-under-18..

Children travelling from the UK

Suppose you are travelling with a child from the United Kingdom. In that case, you must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for the child or from a court of law before taking the minor abroad. 

You must carry the consent form and have a valid photo identification proof (passport or driving license) of both the parents and the child's birth certificate.

You can also email the consent form with the valid photo identification proof of both the parents and the child's birth certificate to aitraffic.lhr@airindia.com at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.  

For more details, refer to https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad.