Vande Bharat Mission – Phase 3

Important Information for Indian Nationals who have expressed interest to return to India due to Covid-19 and have registered in Embassy portal

As part of third phase of Vande Bharat Mission, Air India flights will operate from Moscow to the following destinations in India as per the dates indicated:

Please note that the above destinations are chosen based upon the number of Indian Nationals requesting to go to those States, quarantine facilities available with the concerned States and the capacity of the airports.

The Embassy is working to organize flights to additional destinations in India and more flights will be organised in the near future; so that more Indian nationals in Russia, who are willing to travel to India on compelling grounds, can do so. Details will be updated later on the Embassy website.

The procedure for repatriation

The procedure for repatriation of Indian nationals in the Russian Federation is as per following protocol:-

The passengers for these flights are being selected from the list of those who have expressed their interest by registering on Embassy website to return to India. This selection is based on criteria approved by the Government of India and on the basis of computerized random procedure where the responses exceeded the number of seats on a particular flight.

(Please note: priority given to the most vulnerable categories such as pregnant women and very elderly people, people facing medical emergencies, people who have bereavements or terminal/serious ailments in their most immediate families in India, stranded tourists etc. Interests of Indian students in Russia were given due importance.)

2- Shortlisted passengers will receive an e-mail from Air India for their confirmation of travel. Once Air India receives confirmation mail from the passenger, Air India will send the payment link for purchase of ticket.

3- These passengers will have to buy tickets from Air India and send a copy of Air India ticket along with copy of their passport and visa to their respective Embassy flight contact team e-mail indicated in chart above.

4- Passengers residing outside Moscow should make their own travel arrangements to reach Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow, at least four hours prior to the time of departure of flight. Embassy Counter will be operational at the Domodedovo International Airport terminal from where Air India flights will depart.

5. All passengers will also be required to submit a signed copy of the undertaking cum indemnity form before boarding (form - passengers need to print and bring a signed copy).

Important information for passengers who wish to travel to India:

Connecting flights/trains to Moscow from places in Russia

1- Passengers should make their own bookings on Aeroflot or other Russian Airlines or Russian Railways to reach Domodedovo Airport Terminal in Moscow. In case a passenger is holding an Aeroflot airline ticket to travel to India, it may be noted that the same will not be valid for sector operated by Air India. Such passengers holding Aeroflot tickets should approach Aeroflot directly for refund/extension etc.)

At Moscow Airport & during travel:

1- Upon reaching the Domodedovo Airport terminal in Moscow, the passenger should approach the Embassy of India counter at the Terminal.

2- The passengers should carry passports and copy of your Air India ticket. These may also be required to be shown to police/law enforcement during their travel to the airport.

3- All passengers will be subject to initial thermal screening at the counter for COVID-19. Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to proceed further to complete rest of formalities necessary for check-in and boarding of the Air India flight. There will be no COVID-19 test at the airport.

4- During the journey, all passengers will have to follow the protocols, including the Health Protocols, issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

5- Air India will be providing gloves and masks. Food will be provided for the journey by Air India.

6- Baggage allowance will be indicated on the Air India ticket issued to the passenger. Any Ticket refund questions may be taken up directly with Air India.

Procedures at destination airport in India:

Medical screening and quarantine requirements:

1- All arriving passengers on reaching the destination airport in India will be medically screened.

2- On arrival, thermal screening, as per health protocol would be carried out in respect of all arriving passengers by the health officials present at the airport. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately taken to medical facility as per health protocol. The remaining passengers shall be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facility, to be arranged by respective State/UT governments. These passengers shall be kept under institutional quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days. If they test negative after 14 days, they will be allowed to go home and will undertake self monitoring of their health for 14 more days as per protocol. The remaining persons will be shifted to the medical facility by the State/UT governments.

3- Expenditure towards quarantine at a government designated quarantine facility at the destination in India is payable separately on arrival. There are also paid quarantine facilities in hotels and guest houses.

4- All arriving passengers will have to download and register themselves in the Aarogya Setu App on their mobile devices, as per MHA guidelines https://indianembassy-moscow.gov.in/pdf/MHA%20SOPs-Dt-5-5-2020-%20reg.pdf

5- At the arriving airport, State Government officials will be present to facilitate travel from the airport to the quarantine facility/hospital, as applicable.

Information specifically for Indian Students studying in Russia

1- Indian students who wish to return to India by flights under Vande Bharat Mission should consult their respective universities regarding their academic session, examination, visa related issues and possible scenarios if they are not able to come back to Russia in time due to non-resumption of international commercial flights. The students must make their own informed decision to travel back to India after carefully taking into account all these factors in consultation with their respective universities/institutions.

Important links:

• Link for Undertaking and Indemnity Form


• Link of quarantine centers