A complete vaccination guide for Indian students going to study abroad

The fall 2021 academic session has started, and this is the peak admission season for countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The maximum number of admission intakes is during this time. However, the standstill caused by COVID-19 last year has made the entire process for overseas education a little complicated, wherein vaccination has, not surprisingly, become a pre-condition.

With the pandemic still not over, countries are being a little more cautious about permitting international students. Considering vaccination as a prerequisite, Indian students need to carefully understand norms regarding it and the latest immigration rules need to be fully complied with too.

Foreign countries are now allowing Indian students to take full-time courses from fall 2021, the session that starts in September. This vaccination guide for Indian students going to study abroad, will offer insights into vaccination norms for the most popular overseas education destinations. It will also take you through the vaccines that are accepted globally, Indian government’s vaccination rules, quarantine rules among different countries and various vaccination centers in India.

Read More: Best countries to study abroad for Indian students

Which vaccines are recommended for Indian students?

There is a long list of vaccines that are available, but the ones that are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) are being accepted by international countries. Covaxin by Bharat Biotech is yet to get approval from WHO and hence will not be accepted by foreign universities. Indian students are then down with two options for now–Covishield, and Sputnik V. Sputnik V is not available in adequate quantities and hence will not be able to meet the current demand. That leaves Indian students with only one option–Covishield. Indian students need to be vaccinated with two doses of Covishield within the prescribed gap.

Vaccination norms as laid down by different foreign countries for Indian students

Since education and health are both equally important, so based on that, every country has laid down some rules and regulations regarding vaccination against COVID-19. Listed below are vaccination norms by top study abroad destinations:

The United States of America

The colleges and universities in the USA are now allowing Indian students’ entry for the fall 2021 session. However, you need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country.  But being fully vaccinated alone doesn’t guarantee entry in the US. That is because each visa application is being thoroughly examined to ascertain if the student’s presence is required on campus or not. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for a student visa at least 1 month before.  Students who were positive for COVID-19 in the past 1-2 months may also need to wait for 3-4 months before travelling.

The United Kingdom

Indian students travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) need to complete their 10-day quarantine at any place of their choice. It is not a mandate for them to spend the isolation period in government-managed hotels.

In addition, on day 5 of quarantine the Indian students can take a COVID-19 test and end their mandatory isolation if they test negative. While this is voluntary, students necessarily need to take a COVID-19 test 3 days prior to travelling.

Read More: Study abroad from India with great affordability and efficiency 

Canada

Canada has a 14-day quarantine rule for Indian students. The post-arrival and pre-arrival COVID-19 test is compulsory. Indian students need to apply for a visa in advance, and the embassy will grant approval only if the physical presence of the student is important. Also, vaccination with only WHO-approved vaccines is mandatory.

Germany

Germany is open to Indian students who are fully vaccinated. Indian students need to have a valid vaccination certificate to study in the country. There are some landing formalities, like COVID-19 tests and home quarantine.

France

France has a list of “green countries”. Green countries are those countries that have fewer COVID-19 cases. India is not one of them and so Indian students need to follow a few norms and rules to fly. Indian students need to be fully vaccinated and must carry a valid vaccination certificate. Those who have been vaccinated with WHO-approved vaccines will only be accepted. Students need to wait for around 1.5 months if they have tested COVID-19 positive in the past two weeks prior to their visa application.

Read More: Study Abroad while preparing for IELTS

Quarantine rules for Indian students in the UK, the US & Canada

The UK	The US	Canada
10-day quarantine at home or any other place.	A 14-day quarantine is mandatory.	A 3-day quarantine at a government-managed hotel is compulsory.
On day 5, a student can take a COVID-19 test under their voluntary test to release scheme. If negative, they are free to end their quarantine	Accommodation can be sorted by the student.	On day 4, a test is carried out to know the COVID-19 status of the student.

What are the Indian government’s vaccination rules for students going abroad? 

Students that need to travel to international countries for studies can take the second vaccination dose in just 28 days after the first dose.  They do not have to wait for a long period of time.

1. The certificate of vaccination will be directly linked to the passports of the students. It will be easy for them to get admission and meet the travel criteria.

2. Every student willing to travel abroad for studies needs to get vaccinations with the help of a passport. It is an important personal identification document as per international guidelines. Students will find the passport number on their vaccination certificate.

3. If any student has not linked his/her passport for the purpose of vaccination, he/she can link it later and get two certificates for the same.

Read More: Study Abroad after 12th or graduation 

Some vaccination centers in India for students travelling abroad

Maharashtra

To ease the vaccination process for students, the government has set up centers in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. There are seven vaccination sites in Mumbai. They are:

1. Kasturba Hospital (Chichpokhli)

2. KEM Hospital (Parel)

3. 7 Hills Hospital (Andheri East)

4. Cooper Hospital (Juhu)

5. Centenary Govandi Hospital (Govandi)

6. Dahisar Jumbo (Dahisar West)

7. Rajawadi Hospital (Ghatkopar East)

The vaccination site in Pune is at Kamala Nehru Hospital. The one in Thane is at Majiwada.

Haryana

The Haryana government has arranged a special site at Gurgaon’s Sector 31 Polyclinic. Students can visit the clinic with their passport and admission slip to get the vaccine administered without any delay.  A total of 100 slots are available daily.

Karnataka

The Karnataka government has planned a walk-in vaccination drive for students or employees travelling abroad. The vaccine can be received at Bangalore’s Central College.

Read More: Study abroad for free – All you need to know

Telangana

The Telangana government has started vaccination drives for students travelling abroad. The various centers are:

1. Adilabad (RIMS)

2. Nizamabad (Vinayaknagar)

3. Karimnagar (Buttarajaram Colony)

4. Warangal (Laskar Singaram)

5. Khammam (Venkateshwara Nagar)

6. Medak

7. Mahabubnagar (Ramaiahbowly)

8. Nalgonda (Panagal)

9. Rangareddy (Saroornagar) 

10. Hyderabad at RFPTC, Koti, and Taramaidan in Hussainialam

Delhi

The Delhi government has initiated various vaccination centers with a special focus on vaccination for students who need to travel abroad. The center at Navyug School at Mandir Marg has 200 slots available on a daily basis.

For any query related to vaccination rules in any international country, students can get in touch with counselors of upGrad Abroad.