The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 19 July 2026 refreshed its travel guidance for India, flagging three changes that matter to British corporates and expatriates heading to Indian cities. First, the advisory highlights India’s switch to electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) cards from 8 July, replacing the older booklet format. Dual-nationals and long-term business residents must henceforth download the digital card to a smartphone or carry a printed QR version to prove lifelong visa status. Second, FCDO notes that India has reinstated outbound-and-inbound Ebola health screening at eight international airports after fresh outbreaks in Central Africa. Travellers arriving from, or transiting through, affected countries may face temperature checks, health questionnaires and possible quarantine if symptomatic. Third, all international passengers—including business-class travellers and diplomats—must now submit an electronic Self-Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal within 72 hours of departure, detailing recent travel history and local contact information. Airlines have been instructed to deny boarding to non-compliant passengers. Although the guidance does not alter visa policy, it carries weight because corporate insurers routinely make FCDO advice a condition of cover. Failure to comply with India’s additional paperwork could invalidate travel insurance, disrupt entry and lead to fines of up to ₹10,000 under the Aircraft (Public Health) Rules. Companies organising group travel for board meetings, audits or project kick-offs in India should update pre-departure checklists, brief travellers about the e-OCI download process, and ensure health-screen documentation is stored electronically for on-arrival inspection. The advisory also reiterates the UK government’s long-standing warning against travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, to most of Jammu & Kashmir and, newly added, to Manipur state following ethnic clashes. Risk managers should therefore review any field visits planned in these zones, confirm security-provider capability and consider alternative meeting locations such as Chandigarh or Jammu city (for domestic flights only). While the updates may appear bureaucratic, non-compliance could lead to passengers being off-loaded or detained at Indian airports—a costly outcome for time-sensitive business travellers.
