How to Download Universal Travel Pass - A Complete Guide

The Universal Travel Pass (UTP) is an electronic pass that allows essential workers, such as those working in transportation, logistics, utility and healthcare and fully vaccinated people to travel. The UTP allows fully vaccinated people to enter public spaces, including airports, railway stations, metros, monorails, malls, etc. It also makes it possible for people to travel between states during travel restrictions.

The UTP offers a practical solution to allow essential travel during lockdowns and in restricted places. While it was initially used as a novel solution during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India has now adopted the QR-code-based e-pass for future use to make it easy for essential workers and personnel to travel.

Let’s first understand the situation leading to the creation of the UTP. During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the central and state governments imposed a slew of measures to stop the spread of the highly infectious Omicron COVID-19 variant. This included the restriction of international travel, the designation of containment zones, and the requirement for e-passes and vaccination certificates.

This created a situation where every Indian state had its own set of restrictions and rules for travel, making interstate travel very difficult. That’s why the Maharashtra Government created the Universal Travel Pass for vaccinated citizens and essential workers. Here’s how it worked:

• Designation of Establishment Categories: The state government categorised establishments and public spaces based on their nature and priority.

• Creation of Restriction Levels: Each area was assigned a different restriction level, called degrees, determining who could travel to and fro between them. Areas were assigned 1 to 5 restriction levels, with higher levels corresponding to fewer restrictions.

• Issuance of UTPs: Residents could apply for the Universal Travel Pass online with proof of employment and vaccination certificates. Then, they were assigned UTPs with travel categories corresponding to where they could travel.

• Facilitation of Travel: Once residents got UTPs, they could travel to their workplaces and other destinations by showing the QR code to traffic authorities. Residents could travel to any place within the restriction limit. For example, if a person had a level 4 UTP, they could travel to places with level 4 and below restrictions. A level 5 UTP allowed unrestricted travel.

The following eligibility criteria are applicable to get the Universal Travel Pass:

• Initially, only individuals working in essential services, such as healthcare and utilities, and employees of certain companies were eligible. Today, any Indian citizen can apply for the UTP.

• Applicants need to have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including one booster dose, to apply for the UTP card.

• Applicants need to wait for at least 14 days after receiving the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to be eligible for the UTP. If they apply earlier, they will receive the e-pass only after 14 days from the second vaccination.

• Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Children don’t need this pass, but they must be under the supervision of an adult with a valid UTP.

• Applicants must furnish accurate information about their personal details, vaccination status, prior infections, and occupational details.

• Businesses in essential sectors can apply for this pass on behalf of their vaccinated employees.

Here are the documents you will need to get a Universal Travel Pass in India:

Documents for Employees

• Aadhaar card for employee identification

• Voter ID card of employees

• Any other government ID card

• Company registration certificate of employers

• Other company registration documents

Documents for Individuals

• Registered mobile number for OTP verification

• Identity proof, such as Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, or any other government-issued ID

• COVID-19 vaccination certificate

The process to apply for the UTP from the Maharashtra State Government’s official website:

Step 1: Go to the official web portal of the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

Step 2: Go to the citizen’s corner and find the ‘Universal Travel Pass’ option. Alternatively, go directly to the epass registration site.

Step 3: Choose whether you want to apply as an establishment or a citizen. Follow the given steps to apply as an entity or an individual citizen:

Apply as an Establishment

Step 4: Click on ‘Register Your Establishment’. On the next page, enter the relevant details, including establishment category, type, registration number, registered office address, etc.

Step 5: Upload a copy of your organisation’s registration certificate and assign a coordinator (point of contact) to communicate with the authorities.

Step 6: Read through the terms and conditions and accept the declaration. Then, click on ‘Register’, and you will get a confirmation message on your registered phone number. It will contain the download link for your Universal Travel Pass.

Apply as an Individual

Step 4: Click on ‘universal pass for vaccinated citizens’. Then, enter your mobile number used for CoWIN registration and enter the one-time password (OTP) you received on your mobile phone.

Step 5: On the next page, check the vaccination details displayed, including name, mobile number, beneficiary ID, etc.

Step 6: Click on ‘Generate Pass’ to get a page showing the details of your first and second COVID-19 vaccinations.

Step 7: Upload your picture in the given space with a file less than 3 MB in size. Then, sign the declaration and click on ‘Apply. You will get an SMS on your phone with a download link to the Universal Travel Pass.

If you have recently generated your UTP card for travel, you will get a download link on your mobile device valid for 48 hours. If the link has expired, you need to once again go to the official SDMA website of the Maharashtra State Government. Then follow these steps:

Step 1: On the home page, click on ‘Universal Travel Pass’ in the citizens’ section.

Step 2: Then, click on the ‘Download Travel Pass’ link. Note that you need to be registered and have a valid pass generated before you can download it.

Step 3: On the next page, enter your mobile number and then the OTP you have received on it for verification.

Step 4: View and verify all details of your selected travel pass. Then, upload your recent photograph next to your name.

Step 5: Click on ‘Generate’ to download your Universal Travel Pass online on your smartphone. You can use the soft copy for travelling in restricted areas in Maharashtra or print a hard copy for convenience.

The Universal Travel Pass contains the following information, allowing for easy validation by traffic authorities:

• Name of the applicant

• Applicant’s photograph (ensure to upload clear photographs)

• Applicant’s gender and age

• Travel Category Level (from 1 to 5, with 5 offering unrestricted travel)

• Applicant’s beneficiary ID

• Date of first and second vaccination dose

• QR Code (for scanning by traffic authorities)

The Universal Travel Pass for COVID-19 allowed for easy travel to and from Maharashtra while ensuring that the disease didn’t spread due to irresponsible behaviour. Here are the main advantages of having the UTP with you:

Cost-Effective: One of the biggest benefits of the UTP certificates is that they are entirely free. By creating a digital and self-service portal, the state disaster management department has created a low-cost solution that doesn’t waste taxpayers’ funds.

Convenient Solution: During the COVID-19 lockdown, many people had to keep passes, vaccination certificates and identification cards on their person. The universal pass consolidates multiple documents, making it easier for people to travel.

Access to Public Spaces: Depending on the level of access, the Universal Travel Pass allows you access to different localities and areas of Maharashtra. You could use it to gain quick and hassle-free access to metro stations, bus stops, parks, office buildings, etc.

Slowed the Spread of COVID-19: One of the primary aims of the UTP was to restrict the spread of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. By restricting travel to vaccinated individuals, the travel pass ensured that the population was protected from life-threatening illnesses. The same measure can be taken in case of a future pandemic or a similar emergency.

Reduced Fraudulent Activities: In the absence of a unified and reliable travel permit, some people used fake IDs and passes, leading to a rise in disease spread. The universal permit system leads to a more secure system.

Allowing Essential Services: Total travel restrictions would have led to shortages of essential goods and services, leading to massive problems for quarantined people. By offering special universal passes to essential workers, the authorities ensured that they didn’t face restrictions.

Also Read: How to Safeguard Yourself from COVID-19 While Travelling?

During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, affected states restricted the free movement of people and imposed strict lockdown guidelines. The following points show how you could use the UTP certificate to travel in Maharashtra:

• Vaccination Requirements: You had to be fully vaccinated with at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. Only vaccinated people could use any public transport or enter any public building.

Travel Documents:** All establishments had to ensure that all staff and visitors were fully vaccinated. For this purpose, all adults had to carry one of these documents:

1. Universal Travel Pass,

2. CoWIN certificate with valid ID proof, and

3. Certificate of health from a qualified medical practitioner. Minors also had to carry their school-issued identity card.

• Carrying the Documents: You could carry either the physical documents or download the digital documents on your mobile phone. Then, you can show your QR code-based permit to the authorities at your destination. If you have the documents on an app like Arogya Setu, you need to have a working internet connection to present your permits.

• Validity and Renewal: If any of your documents and permits had lost their validity, you had to renew them in order to continue travelling. To renew your travel documents, you had to go to the state government’s website and provide your latest vaccination status proof.

• Following the Safety Protocols: Once you enter a public premise, you must strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols. This included wearing a face mask at all times, washing your hands regularly, maintaining social distancing and not engaging in physical contact.

• Also Read: Do’s and Don’ts While Travelling During the Pandemic

The Universal Travel Pass was a smart measure by the state government in Maharashtra to prevent the unrestricted spread of the Coronavirus in 2022. It simplified the process of travel permitting with a simple digital and physical card with a QR code. Its success led to this system being adopted in different forms to deal with travel restrictions.

While travel permits are not common today, they are required for international travel, visa enrolment and certain flights. Along with permits, trip insurance is mandatory in certain countries, such as Schengen countries, Singapore and the UAE. Before travelling to these places, get travel insurance to stay safe from trip cancellations, lost baggage and medical emergencies.

For international travelling, TATA AIG’s Overseas Travel Insurance is a reliable choice to stay secure from unforeseen situations. Buy the travel insurance for as low as ₹22.5/day and get substantial coverage in US Dollars.