India's new e-Arrival Card: What travelers need to know

Published on Oct 3, 2025, 3:04 pm CDTUpdated on Oct 3, 2025, 3:24 pm CDT

4 min read

India has introduced a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card that replaces the old paper disembarkation form for foreign visitors. Beginning October 1, 2025, travelers flying to India must complete the form online within 72 hours before arrival, then present their passport and visa as usual at immigration. Officials say digitizing arrivals will reduce lines at airport counters and streamline entry, especially at busy hubs such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

Key points

Why it matters: Faster, paper-free immigration with details submitted before you land.
Travel impact: Complete the e-Arrival Card online up to 72 hours pre-arrival.
What's next: A short transition period may see paper cards still in use.
Required details include passport, trip purpose, India address, and recent countries visited.
Indian citizens and OCI cardholders are exempt from the e-Arrival Card.

Snapshot

Foreign nationals arriving by air must submit India's e-Arrival Card online before travel. The official portals include indianvisaonline.gov.in and the Bureau of Immigration site, and the process is also available via the Indian Visa "Su-Swagatam" mobile app. Authorities indicate the form can be completed within the 72-hour window before your flight and generates a confirmation after submission. A digital copy generally suffices, though carrying a printout can speed inspections. The form asks for standard information such as passport details, nationality, purpose of visit, temporary address in India, intended length of stay, and recent travel history. Officials say the change is designed to shorten queues at immigration counters and modernize border processing nationwide.

Background

For decades, airlines distributed paper disembarkation cards for India-bound passengers to complete on board or in the arrivals hall. That legacy process is now being replaced by a digital e-Arrival Card that captures the same information in advance. The government's move aligns India with other destinations that have already shifted to online arrival declarations. The Indian Visa "Su-Swagatam" app centralizes official visa and arrival services and links to the e-Arrival Card, helping travelers submit details and access related information from a single, government-run platform. Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders remain exempt from the arrival card requirement, consistent with prior rules.

Latest developments

How to complete India's e-Arrival Card, step by step

Travelers should fill out the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival. Use the official Indian Visa Online portal or the Bureau of Immigration website, or complete it via the Indian Visa "Su-Swagatam" mobile app. Provide your passport number, nationality, flight details, purpose of travel (tourist, business, medical, study, conference), India address, intended length of stay, and countries visited in the last six days. No document uploads are required. After submission, you will receive a confirmation; officials say a digital copy is sufficient at immigration, though a printed copy is recommended for ease during inspection. During an initial transition period, some airports may still offer paper cards, but the government's guidance is to use the online form for faster processing.

Analysis

The e-Arrival Card is a straightforward change with outsized benefits for travelers. Submitting information before landing moves data entry away from crowded counters, which should reduce wait times at major gateways like Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Because the form mirrors what used to appear on paper, there is no added burden beyond timing: you now complete it before arrival rather than after. The 72-hour window is generous enough to fit most itineraries, yet close enough to keep details current for border management. Using only official channels matters; third-party look-alike sites often charge unnecessary fees or provide outdated instructions. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone and, if you like, print a copy to speed any spot checks. Finally, remember this is separate from visas. If you require an e-Visa or a regular visa, obtain that approval first, then complete the e-Arrival Card in the final three days before you fly.

Final thoughts

India's e-Arrival Card modernizes a familiar process, shifting a short form from paper to a secure online flow that you complete before you land. Do it within 72 hours of arrival, keep the confirmation handy, and you should find immigration smoother and quicker-especially at peak-hour banks of long-haul arrivals. With a small bit of pre-trip prep, the new system becomes one less hurdle and a faster welcome at the border, delivering the intended benefits of the India e-Arrival Card.