The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 22 July refreshed its travel-advice page for India, retaining existing regional warnings but adding two practical entry updates. First, it alerts British nationals of India’s switch to digital Electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) cards, rolled out nationally on 8 July, and reminds dual nationals to carry passports matching their OCI profiles. Second, the notice flags a mandatory online self-declaration health form that all international passengers must complete within 24 hours of arrival for Ebola screening. Although the e-OCI launch was announced earlier this month, the FCDO’s inclusion signals that border officials are now enforcing the digital credential and may deny boarding to travellers who fail to download or print the QR-coded certificate. Business-traveller feedback suggests airlines departing Heathrow and Manchester have begun checking for the e-OCI PDF at check-in. The health-form requirement stems from India’s temporary enhanced surveillance after outbreaks in parts of West and Central Africa. Non-compliance could result in delayed immigration clearance or quarantine referrals at major Indian airports. Corporate travel programmes should update pre-trip advisories and airline manifests to capture both the e-OCI PDF and the health-form reference number. Mobility managers moving staff to India on short notice—especially from European hubs where airport dwell time is limited—are encouraged to integrate the form into online booking tools or traveller-tracking apps.
Source: GOV.UK – Foreign Travel Advice
