What Is the India e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is India's digital replacement for the paper disembarkation card that immigration officers used to hand out on flights or collect at the airport. Instead of filling out a form by hand on arrival, travelers now submit the same information online before they fly.
It's important to understand what this card is not: it's not a visa, and it doesn't grant you permission to enter India. It's a pre-arrival information declaration that sits alongside whatever visa, e-visa, or OCI status you already hold. Submitting it directly through India's official government channels is completely free.
Background: Why India Digitized the Disembarkation Card
The government's stated reasoning for the switch is threefold: cut down on airport congestion and delays, strengthen border management with better traveler data, and integrate arrival information into India's Immigration Management Systems for real-time tracking.
The system launched on October 1, 2025, with a transition period during which paper disembarkation cards continued to be accepted alongside the new digital option — but travelers were encouraged to switch over right away. That transition window was reported to last up to six months, so if you're traveling to India now, you should plan on the e-Arrival Card being the standard, expected route. Before you travel, it's worth confirming with the official portal whether paper cards are still accepted in any capacity.
Who Needs to Submit the e-Arrival Card
All foreign nationals traveling to India — whether for tourism, business, study, medical treatment, or family visits — are expected to complete the e-Arrival Card. Indian citizens and passport holders are exempt.
Are OCI Cardholders Required to Submit, or Are They Exempt?
This is genuinely one of the more confusing points about the e-Arrival Card, and sources don't fully agree. Some official guidance suggests OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are exempt, just like Indian passport holders. However, the majority of detailed guidance — including from immigration consultancies and airport-facing resources — indicates that OCI cardholders are required to submit the e-Arrival Card alongside other foreign nationals.
Given this discrepancy, our recommendation is simple: if you hold an OCI card, check current guidance on the official portal before you travel, or submit the e-Arrival Card anyway to be safe. It only takes a few minutes, and it costs nothing to complete.
Transit Passengers
If you're passing through India and staying within the international transit area without clearing immigration, you're generally exempt. If your layover requires you to clear immigration, you'll likely need to submit the form.
Is the India e-Arrival Card Free?
Yes. Submitting your e-Arrival Card directly through India's official government portals costs nothing. If a website charges you a fee to "process" your e-Arrival Card, that fee is for an optional assisted-filing service — not a government charge. Some travelers prefer to pay for that kind of help to make sure everything is filled out correctly, but it's never a requirement.
Official Channels: Where to Submit
You can submit your e-Arrival Card directly and for free through:
- Indian Visa Online: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
- Bureau of Immigration: boi.gov.in
The Su-Swagatam App
India also offers an official mobile app called Su-Swagatam, which allows travelers to complete their e-Arrival Card submission from a phone rather than a desktop browser. It's published by Indian Visa Online and offers the same free submission process as the website.
When to Submit: Understanding the Submission Window
Let us handle the filing for you
About 7 minutes to fill in. A reviewer checks your details, then we submit on time — and retry if the portal fails.
Apply through TravelDeclaration.comThe most consistently cited guidance is to submit your e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of your arrival in India. Some sources suggest the system may technically accept submissions up to five days (120 hours) in advance, while others caution that submitting more than 72 hours early, or less than 24 hours before landing, could cause delays or rejection.
To keep things simple: submit within 72 hours of your flight's arrival, but don't leave it until the last minute. Since guidance on the exact window has varied, it's worth double-checking the current rules on the official portal close to your travel date.
Information You'll Need
Before you start, have the following ready:
- Passport details (number, issue and expiry dates)
- Visa, e-visa, or OCI card details
- Flight number and arrival date
- Purpose of your visit
- Your accommodation address in India
- Contact information (email and phone number)
- Emergency contact information
You won't need to upload any documents — it's a data entry form, not a document submission.
How to Submit the e-Arrival Card
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Go to the official portal or app
Use indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, boi.gov.in, or the Su-Swagatam app.
Enter your personal and passport details
Along with your nationality and purpose of visit.
Add your arrival details
Flight number, arrival date, accommodation address in India, and contact information.
Review everything carefully
Your details need to match your passport and visa exactly, so double-check before submitting.
Submit the form
You'll receive a digital confirmation, typically including a QR code or reference number.
Save or print your confirmation
So you can present it at check-in and immigration.
Can You Submit for Your Whole Family on One Form?
Some assisted-filing services advertise the ability to add multiple family members to a single submission. This convenience feature isn't something we could independently confirm as an official capability of the government portal itself, so if traveling with family, it's worth checking directly with the official channels to see whether group submissions are supported, or whether each traveler needs their own form.
At the Airport: Using Your Confirmation
Once you've submitted your e-Arrival Card, save the digital confirmation to your phone and consider printing a backup copy. Present it at airline check-in and again at the immigration counter on arrival. Since your information is already loaded into the immigration system, this is expected to speed up your clearance compared to filling out a paper card on the plane.
India e-Arrival Card vs. India e-Visa: What's the Difference?
These two are easy to confuse, but they serve very different purposes:
| Aspect | India e-Visa | India e-Arrival Card |
|---|---|---|
| Core purpose | Grants legal permission to travel to and enter India | Collects pre-arrival information for immigration screening |
| Mandatory for | Most foreign nationals (unless exempt) | All foreign nationals (see OCI note above) |
| Process | Full online application, government fee, review and approval | Free online form; submission only, no approval process |
| Relationship | Required for entry; doesn't replace the e-Arrival Card | Required alongside a valid visa, e-visa, or OCI card |
In short: your e-visa gets you permission to travel to India. Your e-Arrival Card tells immigration officials you're coming and shares your travel details in advance. You typically need both.
Not to Be Confused With: e-FRRO
India also runs a separate online system called e-FRRO (Foreigner Regional Registration Office), which handles matters like registration for foreigners already in India, prior approvals, and restricted area permits. It's a completely different system from the e-Arrival Card and serves a different purpose — it's not a pre-arrival declaration tool. If you come across e-FRRO while researching your trip, know that it's not something you need for a standard arrival submission.
What Happens If You Don't Submit Before Arrival
Guidance here is still evolving. The most measured sources indicate that failing to submit your e-Arrival Card in advance may cause delays at immigration and could disrupt your travel schedule. Some sources suggest more serious consequences — such as denied boarding or entry issues — though these claims aren't confirmed by official government sources at this time.
The safest approach is straightforward: submit your e-Arrival Card within the recommended window, well before you're due to fly, so you're not caught off guard at check-in.
Looking Ahead: Biometrics and Enhanced Verification
Looking forward, India is expected to expand its use of biometrics, identity cross-checks, and government database integration as part of broader traveler verification. This isn't a current requirement for the e-Arrival Card — it's a direction the system may move in, and we'll update this guide as more concrete details emerge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mismatched details
Entering passport, visa, or flight information that doesn't exactly match your official documents can cause delays or complications at immigration.
Bad timing
Submitting too close to your flight — or, in some cases, too far in advance — can cause issues. Stick to the 72-hour window as a general rule.
Using unofficial websites
Stick to the official portals or a service you trust, since unauthorized sites can expose your personal data or result in an invalid submission.
Not saving your confirmation
Always save or print your confirmation before you travel.
Confusing it with a visa
The e-Arrival Card doesn't replace your visa, e-visa, or OCI card — you'll still need valid travel authorization separately.
OCI cardholders assuming they're exempt
Given the mixed guidance, it's safer to check current rules or simply submit the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an e-Arrival Card to enter India?
If you're a foreign national traveling to India, you'll most likely need to submit an e-Arrival Card before you fly. Indian citizens are exempt.
Are OCI cardholders required to complete the e-Arrival Card?
This is disputed across sources. Some guidance says OCI cardholders are exempt, while more detailed and operationally-focused sources indicate they're required. We recommend checking current official guidance or submitting the form regardless, since it's free and only takes a few minutes.
What is the difference between India's e-Visa and the e-Arrival Card?
Your e-visa grants you legal permission to enter India. The e-Arrival Card is a separate, free pre-arrival declaration that shares your travel details with immigration ahead of time. You generally need both.
How far in advance can I submit the e-Arrival Card?
The most commonly cited guidance is to submit within 72 hours of your arrival. Some sources mention a wider window of up to 120 hours, while others recommend not submitting less than 24 hours before landing. When in doubt, aim for the 72-hour mark.
What information do I need to complete it?
You'll need your passport details, visa or OCI information, flight number and arrival date, purpose of visit, accommodation address in India, and contact information. No document uploads are required.
What happens if I don't submit it before I arrive?
It may cause delays at immigration and disrupt your travel plans. Some sources suggest more serious consequences, though these aren't officially confirmed. It's best to submit ahead of time to avoid any complications.
Can I submit the e-Arrival Card for my whole family on one form?
Some services suggest that multiple family members can be added to a single submission, though this hasn't been confirmed as an official government feature. Check with official channels if you're traveling as a family.
Is the e-Arrival Card the same as the e-FRRO?
No. The e-FRRO is a separate system used for foreigner registration matters and special permits within India. The e-Arrival Card is specifically for pre-arrival information ahead of your flight.