What is changing from 1 October 2025?
India has begun rolling out an Electronic Arrival Card (e‑Arrival Card) for foreign nationals, replacing the paper disembarkation card over a six‑month transition period. From 1 October 2025, travellers should complete the form online up to 72 hours before arrival. Physical cards will remain available during the transition, but the digital route is encouraged to reduce queues and speed up border processing.
Following a regulatory change on 4 October 2025, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are now required to submit an e‑Arrival Card. Indian citizens remain exempt.
What is the e‑Arrival Card?
The e‑Arrival Card is a digital pre‑arrival declaration used to capture essential traveller data for border control. It replaces the information historically collected via paper forms and feeds directly into India’s Immigration Management Systems for real‑time entry validation.
What information do you provide?
Travellers will typically need to confirm:
- Passport and flight details
- Purpose of visit and intended length of stay
- Local contact address in India (e.g., hotel or host)
- Contact details (email and phone)
- Recent travel history (last 30 days)
A digital confirmation is generated on submission. Travellers should save or print this confirmation and carry it for inspection on arrival.
Who must complete the e-Arrival form?
- Foreign nationals travelling to India (including tourists, business visitors, and most other short‑term categories).
- OCI cardholders (per the 4 October 2025 change) must now complete the e‑Arrival Card.
- Indian citizens are exempt.
The e‑Arrival Card does not alter visa rules. You must still obtain the appropriate Indian visa prior to travel where required.
When and where do you submit?
The form can be filed up to 72 hours before scheduled arrival via designated government platforms, including the Indian Visa Online portal and the Indian Visa Su‑Swagatam mobile app. Submission at this stage enables faster processing at immigration counters and helps minimise airport congestion.
Transition period and airport checks
For up to six months from launch, both digital and paper disembarkation options will be accepted. Border officers may verify your digital confirmation and cross‑check details against your passport, visa, and itinerary. Early digital completion is recommended to avoid delays, especially during peak travel periods.
Why is India introducing this?
The e‑Arrival Card is part of India’s broader digital border modernisation, moving towards contactless processing, improved data quality, and risk‑based screening. Expect increasing use of biometrics, identity cross‑checks, and linkage across government databases to streamline legitimate travel while strengthening border security.
Does the e‑Arrival Card replace a visa?
No. The e‑Arrival Card is an entry‑data declaration. It does not replace India’s visa or travel authorisation requirements. Travellers must continue to hold the correct visa for their purpose and duration of stay.
Practical tips before you fly
- Submit within 72 hours of arrival and save the confirmation.
- Check your visa conditions match your purpose of visit (e.g., tourism vs business).
- Ensure accommodation details and host contacts are accurate for the local address field.
- Name consistency: Match passport details exactly (including middle names) to avoid manual review.
- Keep a printout: While digital is acceptable, a paper copy can speed up secondary checks.
