International Students who are waiting to return or go to their dream destination are worried about their future plans and travel restrictions at the global level. Compared to a month ago, where many countries shut borders to non-citizens, entry restrictions are slowly being lifted across the world.
Several countries have lifted the travel restrictions from India, arranging to have air bubbles to undertake travel, due to which Indian as well as foreign airlines have been offering numerous flights to different countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, the UAE and France, as per a report by IE. However, the travel is subject to certain restrictions that have been put in place by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as the governments of the destination countries.
Following is the list of countries at which you should take a look:
1. Australia
* Australia’s borders are closed.
* Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. Australian Border Force liaison officers will work with airlines at overseas airports to identify those who should not board flights to Australia.
* Everyone who arrives in Australia will be quarantined for 14 days and might have to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions.
2. Canada
* Canada has granted travel exemption to international students.
* The Canadian government website states: “If you’re an international student who has a valid study permit, or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you’re exempt from the travel restrictions." Another condition that has been added into it that you have to carry a travel support letter from you DLI stating that your presence is neccesary in Canada for completion of this course.
* However, do note that any international student who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. Upon arrival, your health will be assessed , If you show no symptoms, you must still quarantine for 14 days from the day you arrive in Canada.
3. New Zealand
* Student visa holders can no longer enter New Zealand.
* Exceptions to the border closure can be made by Immigration New Zealand for exceptional circumstances only. If the “first entry before” date on your visa has passed you will need to apply for a new visa.
* Students who are overseas can study online without a visa. When New Zealand’s border restrictions are lifted, you can provide evidence of your online study to support your visa application. If you choose to study online in your home country first, you will still need to meet standard student visa requirements to be granted a student visa. These requirements include being a genuine student, having sufficient funds for maintenance, and being of good health and character.
* If you choose to study online in your home country first a future post-study work visa application may be affected. Hipkins said international students were more likely than foreign tourists to want to come to New Zealand if there was still a need for a 14-day quarantine on arrival.
4. US
* Since January, US President Donald Trump have issued several presidential proclamations to limit travel into the US.
* Students with an F-1 or M-1 visa and their F-2 and M-2 dependents may enter the country if they arrive from or have been in Ireland, the United Kingdom or Schengen Member States in the past 14 days.
* Travelers who are allowed to enter the United States but have passed through or have been in any of the countries named above must quarantine for 14 days once they reach their final destination.
5. UK
* The United Kingdom does not have entry restrictions, but a 14-day quarantine is in place for arriving travelers arriving from outside the travel corridor.
* The United Kingdom has not implemented any entry restrictions, but is monitoring direct flights into the country from certain areas.
* Several airports have suspended certain services, closed terminals, and reduced transportation schedules, so check the details of the specific airport in advance
6. Germany
* Germany has relaxed its entry restrictions for travelers arriving from the European Economic Area, the UK, and Australia, Georgia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, and Uruguay.
* Testing and quarantine regulations may apply to travelers arriving from high-risk areas.
* Germany has restricted the entry of travelers who are arriving from outside the European Economic Area, except for nationals of Germany, residents with a residence permit, and D-Visa holders, and certain exceptions .
Also Read: India Covid Update: Tally crosses 3.4M with 76,472 new cases in past 24 hours
* Travelers entering Germany after staying in a designated risk area abroad during the previous 14 days must undergo mandatory testing for Covid-19.
* Travelers who need to be tested have the choice to either present a valid test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival, take a test on arrival at the airport, or take a test after returning to their place of residence in Germany, by reporting to the local health office.
* The test is free of charge if taken within 72 hours of arrival. Travelers with a negative test may be exempted from the 14-day self-isolation requirement, but some German states require a second negative test before granting an exemption from quarantine.
7. Japan
* Japan has restricted the entry of travelers who have been in various countries around the world in the past 14 days.
* Residents of Japan with “Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” or “Long Term Resident” status who departed Japan with Re-entry Permission by April 2, 2020 may still re-enter the country
* Nationals of Japan, their spouses and children who can present proof, travelers with Special Permanent Residence Permits with re-entry permits from a regional immigration officer, and US military personnel may still enter the country.
* Travelers and airline crew who have been in any of the countries listed so far in the past 14 days must submit a quarantine questionnaire and undergo a PCR test upon arrival. Visa exemption for travelers from many countries has been suspended, and visas from certain countries have been invaldated