Air Suvidha 2.0: New Mandatory Health Self-Declaration for UAE Residents Flying to India (Step-by-Step Guide)
India has launched Air Suvidha 2.0 — a mandatory online health self-declaration for every international arrival. Here is how UAE residents fill it in 2 minutes after check-in, plus a QR code to carry the portal on your phone.
If you're flying from the UAE to India anytime soon, there's one extra step you can't skip at the airport anymore. India's Ministry of Civil Aviation, together with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has rolled out a new portal called Air Suvidha 2.0, and every single international passenger landing in India must fill its online health self-declaration form (SDF) before immigration.
The portal went live on 25 June 2026 in response to the WHO declaring the ongoing Bundibugyo (Ebola strain) outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It applies to everyone — Indian citizens returning home, UAE residents on holiday, tourists, business travellers, transit passengers continuing into India. No exceptions by nationality.
The good news: it is free, takes about two minutes once you have your boarding pass, and once you submit it you simply show the downloaded confirmation at the airport. We've put together the full walkthrough below — plus a QR code you can scan to open the portal on your phone and carry it with you.
Why Air Suvidha 2.0 was launched
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak — a rare and severe strain of Ebola — was first confirmed in north-eastern DR Congo in May 2026. The WHO has flagged neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan as high-risk for cross-border transmission. There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain.
The UAE has already suspended new visa issuance for nationals of the three affected countries since 6 June 2026. India's Air Suvidha 2.0 is the same idea from the other side: catch potentially exposed travellers before they reach the immigration counter, by collecting a structured 21-day travel and symptom history online.
Who has to fill the Air Suvidha form?
- Every international arrival into India — Indian and foreign passport holders.
- UAE residents and tourists flying from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ) or any other UAE airport.
- Children and infants — a parent or guardian fills it on their behalf.
- Transit passengers continuing to a domestic Indian flight.
When should you fill it?
The form can be submitted any time within 24 hours of the start of your journey. Because you will need your exact flight number, seat number and arrival time — details that appear only after web check-in or at the physical check-in counter — the practical time to do it is right after you check in, whether online or at the airport. Once submitted, show the downloaded SDF (PDF or screenshot) at the International Travel Health Desk or Immigration counter on arrival.
How to fill the Air Suvidha 2.0 form — step by step
- Go to the official portal: https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/. Beware copycat sites — the form is always free.
- Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your passport, and select your gender.
- 21-day travel history. Confirm whether you've visited any of the following in the last three weeks:
- DR Congo
- Uganda
- South Sudan
- None of the above
- Select your nationality and enter your passport number.
- Enter your age, time of arrival, flight number and seat number (keep your boarding pass handy).
- Add the cities and districts in India you plan to visit during your stay.
- Enter your port of entry (e.g. Delhi DEL, Mumbai BOM, Bengaluru BLR), port of boarding (e.g. Dubai DXB, Abu Dhabi AUH) and date of boarding.
- If your route has any stopovers, add those details.
- Click Continue.
- On the next screen, enter your home address, email address and an Indian contact number. You'll get an OTP by SMS — or by email if you don't have an Indian number.
- Enter the OTP and click Continue.
- Review everything, tick the two consent boxes (data collection for health surveillance + accuracy of details), then click Submit Self-declaration.
You'll instantly receive an Air Suvidha registration number and a PDF acknowledgement. Save the PDF, take a screenshot for backup — that's what officials want to see at the airport.
Pro tips so you don't get stuck
- Complete web check-in first. You cannot finish the form without your seat number, flight number and arrival time, which are printed on the boarding pass.
- Spell exactly like your passport. Mismatched names are the #1 reason for re-verification.
- Have your ticket/PNR and boarding pass open — the form asks for flight number, seat, arrival time and port of boarding.
- No Indian SIM yet? Use your email — the OTP works either way.
- Screenshot the confirmation in case airport Wi-Fi is patchy on arrival.
- It is 100% free. Don't pay anyone — any site asking for a fee is a scam.
- Family travel? Each passenger needs their own SDF, including children.
What happens at the Indian airport
The Air Suvidha system shares your declaration in real time with the Airport Health Officer, Bureau of Immigration, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and State Surveillance Officers. If everything checks out, you simply flash the SDF (PDF or QR), get a quick health-desk nod and move to immigration. No paper forms, no queues at the counter.
Travellers flagged in the 21-day history section may be pulled aside for a brief screening — that's the whole point of the early declaration.
Quick FAQ
Is there any fee?
No. The Air Suvidha 2.0 portal is run by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is completely free.
Do children need to fill it?
Yes. Every passenger needs an SDF — parents complete it on behalf of minors.
What if I land in India without filling it?
You'll be asked to complete it at the airport health desk before clearing immigration, which can mean long delays. Fill it right after you check in, once you have your seat and flight details, instead.
Is it required if I'm only transiting through India?
If you clear Indian immigration (e.g. for a domestic connection), yes. Pure international-to-international transit without leaving the airside zone typically doesn't require it — confirm with your airline.
The bottom line for UAE flyers
Two minutes online after you check in is all it takes — keep your boarding pass open so you can copy the flight number, seat number and arrival time exactly. It can save you 30 minutes of paperwork on arrival in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad or any other Indian airport. Bookmark the portal (or scan the first QR code above), save this guide on your phone (scan the "Save this guide" QR code), keep your passport and boarding pass beside you, and you're done.
Sources: Ministry of Civil Aviation (India) & DIAL official statement, Khaleej Times (25 June 2026), WHO Bundibugyo virus disease updates.
* Featured image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only.