Travel Documentation in India

Travel Disembarkation card

Disembarkartion card is a legal document used by immigration authorities to provide passenger identification and a record of a person’s entry into certain countries. It also provides information on health and character requirements for non-citizens entering a particular country. Some countries such as the United States and Singapore attach the card to a departure card where the latter is retained in the alien's passport until his eventual departure. The arrival card can also be combined with items found in a customs declaration card which some countries require incoming passengers to fill out separately.

An arrival card may also be known as an incoming passenger card, landing card or disembarkation card.

The information requested varies by country. Typically the information requested on the departure card includes

• Full name
• Nationality
• Date of Birth
• Passport number, place of issuance and expiry date
• Flight number or name of aircraft, ship or vehicle
• Purpose of trip: vacation, education/study, visiting relatives/families, business, diplomatic
• Duration of stay
• Destination (next stop of disembarkation)
• Address in country
• Information on items being bought into the country which may be of interest to customs and quarantine authorities

Travelers are generally required to sign, date, and declare the information is true, correct, and complete.

Passengers on international flights are often required to complete the cards and are often required to present the cards and their passports at immigration checkpoints.
 

Hepatitis B

Cause

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family.

Transmission

Infection is transmitted from person to person by contact with infected body fluids. Sexual contact is an important mode of transmission, but infection is also transmitted by transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, or by use of contaminated needles or syringes for injections. There is also a potential risk of transmission through other skin-penetrating procedures, including acupuncture, piercing and tattooing. Perinatal transmission may occur from mother to baby. There is no insect vector or animal reservoir.

Nature of the disease

Most acute HBV infections are asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms, which are often unrecognized. Symptomatic acute disease occurs in about 1% of perinatally infected individuals, in 10% of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and in about 30% of individuals infected after the age of 5 years. Clinical acute hepatitis B has a gradual onset, with anorexia, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia and rash, followed by the development of jaundice in some cases. In adults, about 1% of cases are fatal. Chronic HBV infection develops in <5% of HBV-infected adults, but more often in young children and in the majority of those infected perinatally. In some cases of chronic HBV infection, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer develop later.

Geographical distribution

The endemicity of HBV in a population is described by the prevalence of HBsAg, an HBV-specific component found in the blood (and other body fluids) in both acute and chronic stages of the infection. HBV is found worldwide, but with differing levels of endemicity. The majority of the world’s population live in countries where the prevalence of HBsAg of in the general population is high (≥8%) or intermediate (2-7%). In certain areas of North America, northern and western Europe, the southern cone of South America, Australia and New Zealand, prevalence of chronic HBV infection is relatively low (<2% ) (see map).

Risk for travellers

The risk depends on (1) the prevalence of HBV infection in the country or area of destination, (2) the extent of direct contact with blood or body fluids or of sexual contact with potentially infected individuals, and (3) the duration and type of travel. Principal risky activities include unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person; health care interventions (medical, dental, laboratory or other) that entail direct exposure to human blood or body fluids; receipt of a transfusion of blood that has not been tested for HBV; and exposure to needles (e.g. acupuncture, piercing, tattooing or injecting drug use) that have not been appropriately sterilized. In addition, transmission from HBV-positive to HBV-susceptible individuals may occur through direct contact between open skin lesions following a penetrating bite or scratch.

Vaccine

Hepatitis B vaccine is produced by recombinant DNA technology, most commonly in yeast.

The complete vaccination series consists of three doses of vaccine; the first two doses are usually given 1 month apart, with the third dose 1–12 months later. The WHO-recommended schedule for hepatitis B immunization of children consists of a dose within 24 hours of birth followed by a second and third dose of hepatitis Bcontaining vaccines at intervals of at least 4 weeks.

A complete series of immunization provides protection for at least 25 years and, according to current scientific evidence, probably for life. Boosters are not recommended for routine immunization programmes.

Because of the prolonged incubation period of hepatitis B, some protection will be afforded to most travellers following the second dose given before travel. However, the final dose should always be given.

A combination vaccine that provides protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B should be considered for travellers who may be exposed to both organisms. This inactivated vaccine is administered as follows: day 0; 1 month; 6 months. A rapid schedule of day 0, 1 month and 2 months with an additional dose at 12 months, and a very rapid schedule of day 0, day 7 and day 21 with a booster dose at 12 months, have been proposed by the vaccine manufacturer and approved by national regulatory authorities in some countries.

Yellow fever (as per WHO)

Cause

Yellow fever virus (YFV), an arbovirus of the Flavivirus genus.

Transmission

Yellow fever occurs in urban and rural areas of Africa and central South America. In jungle and forest areas, monkeys are the main reservoir of infection, which is spread by mosquitoes from monkeyto- monkey and, occasionally, to humans. In urban settings mosquitoes transmit the virus from human-to-human and introduction of infection into densely populated urban areas can lead to large epidemics of yellow fever. In Africa, an intermediate pattern of transmission is common in humid savannah regions where mosquitoes infect both monkeys and humans, causing localized outbreaks.

Nature of the disease

Although most infections are asymptomatic, some lead to an acute illness characterized by two phases. Initially, there is fever, muscular pain, headache, chills, anorexia, nausea and/or vomiting, often with bradycardia. About 15% of patients progress to a second phase after a few days, with resurgence of fever, development of jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and haemorrhagic manifestations; up to half of these patients die 10–14 days after the onset of illness.

Geographical distribution

In tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America (see maps) YFV transmission can occur at altitudes up to 2300 metres (in Africa, possibly higher). Countries or areas where the YFV is present far exceed those officially reported. Some countries may have no reported cases simply because of a high level of vaccine coverage against yellow fever, or because of poor surveillance. A revision of the risk classification of countries and areas recommended for yellow fever vaccination is reflected in this year’s edition of IT&H (Country List and Annex 1).

Risk for travellers

Apart from areas of high yellow fever endemicity, YFV transmission may take place also in low-endemic areas if the traveller’s itinerary implies heavy exposure to mosquitoes, for example during prolonged travel in rural areas.

General precautions

Avoid mosquito bites; the highest risk for YFV transmission is during the day and early evening

Vaccine

The 17D vaccine, which is based on a live, attenuated viral strain, is the only commercially available yellow fever vaccine. It is given as a single subcutaneous (or intramuscular) injection. Yellow fever vaccine is highly effective (approaching 100%). All individuals aged 9 months or older and living in countries or areas at risk should receive yellow fever vaccine.

insurance for traveller (according to WHO)

Insurance for travellers

Travellers are strongly advised to travel with comprehensive travel insurance as a matter of routine and to declare any underlying health conditions to their travel insurer. Travellers should be aware that medical care abroad is often available only at private medical facilities and may be costly. In places where good-quality medical care is not readily available, travellers may need to be evacuated in case of accident or illness. If death occurs abroad, repatriation of the body can be extremely expensive and may be difficult to arrange. Travellers are advised (i) to seek information about possible reciprocal health-care agreements between the country of residence and the destination country (see http://www.who.int/ith/links/national_links/en/index.html), and (ii) to obtain comprehensive travellers’ health insurance for destinations where health risks are significant and medical care is expensive or not readily available. This health insurance should include coverage for changes to the itinerary, emergency evacuation for health reasons, hospitalization, medical care in case of illness or accident and repatriation of the body in case of death. Travellers should discuss with the parties concerned any issues or claims as they happen and not upon return from the trip.

Travel agents and tour operators usually provide information about travellers’ health insurance and should advise travellers about the importance and benefits of travel insurance. It should be noted that some countries now require proof of adequate health insurance as a condition for entry. Moreover, some travel insurers require proof of immunizations and/or malaria prophylaxis as a condition of their approval for treatment or repatriation. Travellers should know the procedures to follow to obtain assistance and reimbursement. A copy of the insurance certificate and contact details should be carried with other travel documents in the hand luggage.

Travel Insurance as per indian govt. rules

Travel Insurance offers insurance protection while

you travel. Travel Insurance may be called by

different names by insurance companies. It is

important for you to check and understand

whether the policy covers domestic travel or

overseas travel or both. Travel Insurance protects

you and/or family against travel related accidents,

unexpected medical expenditure during travel,

losses such as baggage loss, loss of passport etc and

interruption or delays in flights or delayed arrival of

baggage etc.

• You must read and understand what the policy you

are considering exactly covers. Do ask your insurer

and/or agent or broker questions to clear all your

doubts and go through the terms and conditions of

the cover thoroughly. Travel Insurance normally

offers cover only during a specific period of travel.

However, some insurance companies may offer

various combinations of protection to cater to the

specific needs of customers e.g., there could be a

special policy for Corporate Frequent Travellers etc.

• The Scope of Cover and Benefits offered by

different insurance companies would vary. You

must shop around to ensure that you purchase a

policy that you need. The following are covers that

are generally provided under Travel Insurancethough

the combination may vary. The list,

however, is not exhaustive.

o Medical Expenses with or without cashless

facility (most travel insurance products offer

cashless facility)

o Personal Accident

o Loss of Baggage

o Delay in Baggage arrival

o Loss of Passport

o Travel Delay

o Repatriation

o Transportation of dead body etc.

The Sum Insured offered may vary and so would

the premium rates, which would depend on the

country in question, apart from other factors such

as Age, Period Of Travel etc.

• You must go through the exclusion clauses very

thoroughly. Ask your insurer and/or agent or

broker for clarifications wherever you have a

doubt. In general, the following are not covered:

• Pre-existing diseases

• War Risks

• Suicide and Insanity

• Hazardous sports

There could be some exclusions relating to personal

effects.

• It is very important for you to understand what to

do in case a claim situation arises abroad.

Generally policies provide hotline numbers where

intimation of claim/s should be given. You must

also notify the concerned authorities involved eg,

local police, embassy, transportation company etc, as

applicable. The insurer also should be notified.

Normally, every travel insurance policy docket will

also contain a claim form as you will be away in a

distant place and may not be in a position to obtain

a claim form immediately.

Schengen visa

•The Schengen Visa is one that is required for travelling within the Schengen zone which comprises 26 member countries, all of them located in Europe. However four of these, namely Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the newest member Liechtenstein, are not members of the European Union.

•Formerly if travellers from India and some other countries wanted to travel to several European countries during a single trip, they needed a separate visa from each of these countries. But now, with the introduction of the Schengen Visa, travelling to these 26 European countries has become much easier and hassle-free. The Schengen Visa is a boon for Indians and other international travellers. That’s because now you can travel to any or even all the member countries on one trip by using just one single visa. No more hassles and extra expense for obtaining individual visas for each country.

•To get a Schengen Visa, the purpose of your visit must be leisure, tourism, or business. A Schengen tourist visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Visa countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days within a period of six months.

The Schengen Visa Countries

•As mentioned earlier, 22 of these are members of the European Union (EU) and four are non-EU members. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

•The following European countries are not a part of the Schengen zone, namely: The UK, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzgovina, Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia. If you want to travel to or even pass through any of these by train, bus or car, you will have to apply to the concerned country for a separate visa.

Rules for applying for the Schengen Visa

•You can apply for the Schengen visa from any of these countries. But there are certain rules to be followed. For example:

•If you want to visit France, you cannot apply to the Italian Embassy or Consulates in India. You will have to apply to the French Embassy. That is, the Schengen visa has to be obtained from the Consulate/Embassy of the country where the MAIN PURPOSE OF TRAVEL lies.

•In case you want to travel to multiple Schengen countries, you will have to make your application to the embassy/consulate of the country where you will be staying for the maximum number of days.

•If the duration of stay is going to be the same for more than one Schengen Visa country, you will have to apply for a visa from the country which will be your first point of entry.

•Applications for the Schengen visa have to be submitted at any of the VFS centres across India as VFS has been appointed as an outsourced partner by the different Schengen countries.

Visa fee + VFS’ processing charges, it rounds up to about Rs. 5000