Linking Passport with COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate

What is a CoWIN International Travel Certificate?

The travel industry is once again gaining some momentum after subsequent lockdowns and restrictions due to the pandemic. Thankfully, the world was able to roll out many vaccines against the COVID-19 virus ensuring the safety of billions.

Thus, it has become equally important to have a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate linked to people's passports. It saves a lot of time and helps you travel hassle-free. Indians can go to CoWIN for their international travel certificates and download it from the same portal.

Indians travelling abroad for studies, work, or other purposes need to get their CoWIN vaccination certificates linked to their passports. This will facilitate smooth international travel of Indians who have received both doses of the vaccine.

How Can You Link Your Passport with a Vaccination Certificate?

If you too are planning to travel abroad in the coming months, now is the time to ensure all your travel documents are in order. Passport and COVID-19 vaccine certificates being the most important ones, you should be fully inoculated before going ahead with the linkage.

Once you're done with the second dose and the two-week gap, you can follow these five easy steps:

Step 1: Log into CoWIN

The very first thing to do is to log in to your account using the registered number, log in to CoWin.

After selecting the ‘Register/Sign In’ option, you will be directed to another page. Enter the required OTP to proceed.

Confirm if the ID used was your passport or some other photo ID like aadhar card or voter ID card. If it is not your passport, then head to the 'Account Details' section. You will need to update your passport details here.

Step 2: Edit Passport Details

Once you see the photo ID, you can add your passport as your photo ID to initiate linking. You will need to edit your personal details by visiting the 'Account Details' section. Click on the 'Raise Issue' part. It will show you three options:

• Certificate Correction
• Merge Multiple Dose #1 Provisional Certificates
• Add Passport Details

Passport Details

On selecting the 'Add Passport Details' section, you will be directed to a new page where you will need to add the beneficiary's passport details.

Select the member from the drop-down and provide the passport number in the section for 'Enter Passport Number'.

Change Passport Details

Please note that you can only change your passport details one time. You should do this very carefully so that there are no mistakes.

Step 3: Confirm Changes Made

After double-checking all the details and ensuring the passport number is right, you need to select the box where a declaration statement is written. After clicking on this box, you can click on the 'Submit Request' option.

Step 4: Wait for Text Confirmation

Once you have successfully updated your passport details, you will be notified of these changes on your phone.

Text Confirmation

The mobile number used to register on this portal will receive a text in a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Download the Updated Linked Certificate

After the procedure is completed and confirmed, you can head back to the 'Account Details' section and click on the 'Certificate' that you have updated. Upon downloading it, you will notice that the vaccine certificate is now successfully linked to your passport.

Step 6: Downloading CoWin International Travel Certificate

If you have already linked your passport with the latest COVID-19 vaccination certificate, then log in to the CoWIN portal with the registered number. Look for the documents listed and click on the 'International Travel Certificate' to download it.

Is it Mandatory to Link Passport with Vaccine Certificate?

You are likely to be asked for a linked passport-vaccine certificate before your departure. This is to ensure that everyone leaving India has been fully vaccinated against Coronavirus.

In case you haven't received any doses of the vaccine, you can choose your passport as the photo ID proof while registering at the CoWIN portal. Otherwise, you can easily follow the steps explained in this article to make the necessary changes.

It is also important to keep an eye out for any changes in travel policies and guidelines before you plan your trip abroad. Until specified by the destination country's COVID-19 travel advisory, this passport-vaccine certificate is sufficient for Indians travelling abroad. Along with these, make sure to buy travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage so that you’re protected from any coronavirus-related complications.

How to Update Information in a Vaccination Certificate?

After receiving both doses of the vaccine, you can easily get your certificate. This is an official document consisting of a 13-digit unique reference ID and consists of all the important details of the vaccine.

However, human error or some other factor can result in an unintended mistake. This can be in your name, gender, date of birth, photo ID number etc. 

If you've made a mistake in your certificate and need to correct the details, then here are the steps to fix it:

• Go to the official CoWIN website
• Sign in using your number
• Enter the OTP that you receive on the registered phone number which you used for your vaccination details
• Select the 'Raise an issue' option then select the member whose information needs to be corrected
• Choose the self-correction option and edit the details that you want to correct in your certificate
• Enter the correct information and tap on the submit option.

Please note that you're allowed to fix any errors in your COVID-19 vaccine certificate only one time.

Please Note: You can only edit two things overall so you need to be very careful while making any changes. After making these changes, your old certificate will be deleted automatically.

Why Should I Link My Vaccine Certificate to My Passport?

It is mandatory to link a passport with a vaccine certificate if you’re planning to travel abroad for education, business, tourism or other purposes. As per the COVID-19 guidelines in India as well as abroad, it is necessary to be fully vaccinated as well as have proof of vaccination to gain entry into other countries.

While you prepare to link your certificate, don’t forget to buy an international travel insurance plan as per your budget and travel requirements. This will help you from any unwanted expenses while you're in a foreign land.