Connecting your passport with your vaccination certificate is paramount for a smooth travel experience in today’s travel world. As travel restrictions and health protocols evolve, having your vaccination status easily accessible simplifies the process and provides peace of mind.

The Indian government has made this step mandatory for residents travelling outside the country to reduce COVID-19 infections. Having your passport linked with your vaccination certificate will be helpful during the vaccination status verification before or during departure.

This article will take you through the steps of connecting your passport with your vaccination certificate so that travelling in the present international situation may be a hassle-free experience.

You can easily link your vaccine certificate to your passport via the CoWIN app or website. 

You can then go ahead with the following steps after logging in – 

Step 1: Select “Raise an Issue” from the “Account Detail” tab.

Step 2: From the available options, select “Add Passport Details” and proceed.

Step 3: On the redirected page, click on a member's name whose passport details you would like to add.

Step 4: Next, fill in the beneficiary’s passport number correctly and tick the dialogue box. Hit “Submit”.

You will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number.

Following this, you will receive another notification confirming that the request has been updated successfully.

If you are worried about the time needed to link a passport with a vaccine certificate, rest assured as it will take only a few seconds.

Note that if you have not registered yourself on CoWIN, you can choose your passport as your photo ID proof while registering before vaccination. This is a good option if you are planning to travel abroad in a few months.

Now let us learn how to edit information in the vaccination certificate linked with a passport.

Airport authorities check vaccination status before allowing an individual to board a flight. This is to maintain COVID-19 protocols and passenger safety.

According to a report, the Indian government announced that all travellers going abroad for education, jobs, or part of the Indian contingent for the Tokyo Olympic Games are mandated to link passport with vaccine certificate.

The vital details like dosage, batch number of vaccine, etc., get updated when you link your passport with vaccine certificate.

In addition, this CoWIN Vaccination certificate will be scanned at the airport. Technically, the airport authority scans QR codes on Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V vaccination certificates for authentication.

Individuals looking for ways to link passports with vaccine certificates can benefit from the steps discussed in the following section.

Linking your vaccine certificate to your passport offers several advantages, especially in the context of post-pandemic travel. Here are some key benefits that highlight why this step is important for every traveller:

Streamlined Travel:

• Quick and easy verification of your vaccination status at airports and borders.

• Reduces the need to carry multiple documents.

Meeting Entry Requirements:

• Ensures compliance with international travel rules.

• It may help you avoid quarantine in some countries.

Enhanced Health Safety:

• Adheres to global health protocols, making travel safer.

• Consistent checks at various travel points.

Time-Saving:

• Faster processing at immigration and customs.

• Reduces wait times for manual verification.

Increased Acceptance:

• More likely to be recognised and accepted by authorities.

• A standardised format ensures authenticity.

Simplified Documentation:

• All necessary information is in a single document.

• Easier to access your vaccination status.

Future-Proofing Travel:

• Adapts to evolving travel regulations.

• Keeps you prepared for sudden travel changes.

Government Support:

• Endorsed by health and travel authorities.

• Keep your vaccination information updated.

These benefits illustrate how linking your vaccine certificate to your passport can make travel easier, safer, and more efficient. It's a crucial step for anyone planning to travel internationally in the near future.

Follow these steps to update changes in the certificate -

1. Visit the official website of CoWIN and log in with your registered mobile number and OTP.

2. Click on “Raise an Issue” on its home page and select “Correction in Certificate” on the redirected page.

3. Next, select the concerned person from the drop-down menu and make all corrections and update details. Next, click on “Submit”.

After completing this process successfully, you need to show the hard copy of this linked certificate to the airport authority to prove that you are fully vaccinated.

The process to download this certificate from the CoWIN portal is discussed below.

You can download the linked vaccination certificate from CoWIN app and portal in the following steps after completing the process to link passport with vaccine certificate -

1. On the dashboard, you will find information on the first and second dose. Click on the applicable option to download this certificate.
2. You can find a PDF form of this certificate by clicking on a download link.

Follow the steps discussed above to link your passport with a vaccine certificate easily. 

You can also request a digital copy of your vaccine certificate via email through the CoWIN portal or the helpline.

Here are the following steps to receive a copy through email:

1. Log in to the CoWIN portal and select the option to email the certificate.

2. Provide your email address and submit the request.

3. Check your email inbox for the certificate and download the attached file.

This would again help you travel abroad without much hassle and adhere to COVID protocols at the same time.

Reliable support is essential when you encounter issues or have questions about linking your passport to your vaccination certificate. Here's how you can get the help you need:

Government Helplines:

• Official Support: The CoWIN helpline number is 1075. This toll-free number connects you to official support for any queries or issues related to the vaccination process and linking your passport.
• Additional Contact: For further assistance, you can also call the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare helpline at 011-23978046.

Email and Phone Support

• Email Support: Send an email to support@cowin.gov.in detailing your issue or query. For quicker resolution, make sure to include your registered mobile number and passport details.
• Phone Support: In addition to the helpline numbers, you can contact the CoWIN support team at 0120-4473222 for more detailed assistance.

By using these contact methods, you can have your concerns addressed efficiently.

In conclusion, linking your passport with your vaccination certificate is crucial to make travelling abroad easier in today's changing health landscape. This connection helps you show your vaccination status clearly, ensuring you meet entry criteria and travel safely. Doing so simplifies your travel and contributes to global health efforts, ensuring smoother journeys ahead.