If you are an OCI cardholder living in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia — or a foreign national planning to visit India — there is one new thing you must do before you board your flight. And millions of people still do not know about it.
From 1 April 2026, India abolished the green-and-white paper disembarkation form that passengers have been filling out on flights since the 1960s. In its place: a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card that must be completed online — before you fly, not on the plane.
It is free. It takes under 5 minutes. It requires no document uploads. But if you arrive at an Indian airport without it, you will be pulled out of the immigration queue and sent to a staffed kiosk — missing your domestic connections and wasting your first hour in India.
This guide tells you exactly what the India e-Arrival Card is, who must file it, how to complete it in minutes, and what to expect at immigration when you land. Whether you are visiting family, attending a wedding, going on holiday, or returning for business — read this before you fly.
1 Apr
2026: Paper disembarkation card officially abolished — e-Arrival Card mandatory
72 hrs
Maximum window to submit before scheduled arrival in India
5 min
Average time to complete the online form — no uploads needed
₹0
Cost — the e-Arrival Card is completely free on all official channels
What Is India's e-Arrival Card? (Simple Explanation)
The e-Arrival Card is India's digital replacement for the paper disembarkation card — the small form that airlines used to hand out on international flights to India, asking for your name, passport number, flight details, and address in India.
The paper version has been in use since the 1960s. India's Bureau of Immigration (BoI) — under the Ministry of Home Affairs — introduced the digital version as part of the IVFRT 3.0 modernisation programme (Immigration, Visa and Foreigner Registration & Tracking). The paper form was phased out in stages between October 2025 and 1 April 2026. From 1 April 2026, the paper form is completely gone. The e-Arrival Card is now the only accepted arrival declaration for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders.
The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. It does not replace your Indian visa or eVisa. It is simply a pre-arrival digital declaration — telling India's immigration system who you are, when you are arriving, and why you are coming. Think of it like India's version of the UK's landing card or Australia's incoming passenger card — except filed online before you fly, not on paper at the airport.
Key Facts About the e-Arrival Card
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Effective date | 1 April 2026 — mandatory for all international arrivals |
Cost | Free — no payment required |
When to submit | Within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in India |
Time to complete | Approximately 5 minutes |
Documents to upload | None — only typed information required |
What you receive | QR code — show on phone or printed at immigration |
Family submissions | One submission covers up to 5 family members traveling together |
Official portals | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival | boi.gov.in | Su-Swagatam app |
Is it a visa? | No — it is a digital arrival declaration only |
Who Must File the India e-Arrival Card?
This is where many people — especially OCI cardholders — are getting confused. Here is the definitive answer based on the official Indian Visa Online portal and Bureau of Immigration guidelines:
[Insert Content Image 1 here — Must File vs Exempt comparison infographic]
✅ Must File the e-Arrival Card
All foreign nationals entering India — regardless of nationality or visa type
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders — including those from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and all other countries
Tourists visiting India on an Indian eVisa or regular visa
Business visitors
Students arriving on student visas
Medical travelers
Transit passengers passing through Indian airports
People arriving at any Indian international airport — Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD), and all others
❌ Exempt from e-Arrival Card
Indian passport holders — if you travel on an Indian passport, you do not need to file
Airline crew members on official duty
Certain visa-exempt diplomatic categories (check with your embassy)
🚨 OCI Cardholders: You Are NOT Exempt — Read This Carefully
When the e-Arrival system first launched on 1 October 2025, OCI cardholders were initially announced as exempt. That exemption lasted exactly three days. On 4 October 2025, the Bureau of Immigration revised the policy and added OCI cardholders to the mandatory requirement.
If you hold an OCI card and assumed you were exempt — you are not. You must file the e-Arrival Card before every trip to India, starting from 1 April 2026. Many OCI holders in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia are still unaware of this change. Share this information with your community.
Why Did India Introduce the e-Arrival Card?
India processes approximately 48 million international passenger arrivals every year. The paper disembarkation card was an analogue solution to a modern problem — handwritten forms, illegible entries, data entry backlogs, and zero real-time screening capability.
The e-Arrival Card changes all of this. Here is what the Bureau of Immigration says the digital system achieves:
Pre-screening against watchlists: Digital arrival data is processed before you land — allowing immigration systems to flag concerns in advance rather than at the counter
Faster immigration processing: BoI pilot data from Delhi and Bengaluru airports showed processing times dropped from 5–6 minutes to under 3 minutes per passenger when the digital card was trialled in February 2026
Elimination of paper waste: India prints approximately 48 million disembarkation forms every year. The digital system saves an estimated ₹28 crore annually in printing and logistics costs
Better data accuracy: Typed, pre-submitted data eliminates the errors caused by illegible handwriting on paper forms
Alignment with global standards: Countries like the USA (ESTA), UK (ETA), Australia (ETA), and Europe (EES) have already moved to digital pre-arrival systems. India is now joining them
✅ Good news for frequent India travelers: Once you submit the e-Arrival Card, the QR code is generated and stored. At immigration in India, officers simply scan your QR code — no paperwork, no form-filling at the counter, faster clearance. For OCI holders who visit India frequently, this is genuinely faster and more convenient than the old paper system.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill the India e-Arrival Card Online
[Insert Content Image 2 here — 5-step process flow diagram]
STEP 1
Go to the Official Portal — 72 Hours Before Your Flight
You can submit the e-Arrival Card through any of these three official channels:
Website (recommended for laptop/desktop): indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Bureau of Immigration website: boi.gov.in
Su-Swagatam mobile app: Download free on Google Play Store or Apple App Store — search "Su-Swagatam" or "Indian Visa"
Use only these official channels. There are fraudulent third-party websites charging money for this free service. The e-Arrival Card is always free. Do not pay anyone.
STEP 2
Enter Your Passport and Flight Details
The form asks for the following information — have these ready before you start:
Full name exactly as on your passport
Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
Nationality / country of passport
Date of birth
Flight number and expected date and time of arrival in India
Port of entry (which Indian airport you are arriving at)
OCI card number — if you hold an OCI card
No document scans or photo uploads are required — only typed information.
STEP 3
Enter Your India Visit Details
The form also asks:
Purpose of visit: Tourism, business, education, medical, transit, visiting family, etc.
Address in India: Hotel name and address, or family/friend's full address where you will stay
Contact details: Phone number and email where you can be reached in India
Health declaration: A short standard declaration about your health status (no detailed medical history required)
Visa details: Your visa type and number (eVisa or regular visa) — OCI cardholders enter their OCI details
STEP 4
Submit and Download Your QR Code
After submitting the form, you instantly receive:
A QR code — this is your e-Arrival Card confirmation
A reference number — save this even if you cannot access the QR code later
An email confirmation (if you provided an email address)
Save the QR code on your phone or take a screenshot. You can also print it. Either digital or paper format is accepted at Indian immigration.
If you submit more than 72 hours before arrival: A confirmation reference number is generated. The QR code is generated closer to your arrival window. The reference number is sufficient if the QR code is not yet available.
STEP 5
Show the QR Code at India Immigration
When you arrive at the immigration counter in India:
Hand over your passport as usual
Show your QR code — on your phone screen or printed
The immigration officer scans the QR code — all your arrival details are pulled up instantly
Process complete — faster than ever before
In major airports like Delhi IGI and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji, dedicated fast-track lanes are being piloted for passengers with valid QR codes. This makes the process even quicker for prepared travelers.
💡 Pro Tip — File for the Whole Family in One Go: One e-Arrival Card submission covers up to 5 family members traveling together on the same flight. You do not need to file separately for each person. This is especially useful for OCI families traveling together from UK, USA, Canada, or Australia for holidays, weddings, or family visits. One person fills the form, enters all family members' details, and receives a single QR code for the group.
What Happens at India Immigration Now? (Old vs New Process)
[Insert Content Image 3 here — modern Indian immigration counter with QR scan]
Step | Old Process (Before April 2026) | New Process (From April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
On the flight | Airline hands out paper disembarkation cards — fill by hand | Nothing to do on the flight — already submitted online |
At immigration queue | Wait in line, hand over paper form + passport | Wait in line (shorter), show QR code + passport |
At the counter | Officer reads paper form, manually enters data | Officer scans QR code — all data instantly pulled up |
Processing time | 5–6 minutes per passenger average | Under 3 minutes per passenger (pilot data) |
Data accuracy | Handwriting errors common; re-entry required | Digital data — no transcription errors |
If form is missing | Officer hands you a new paper form to fill at counter | Redirected to manual kiosk — causes significant delays |
⚠ What happens if you arrive without the e-Arrival Card?
You will not be denied entry — but you will be pulled out of the regular immigration queue and directed to a staffed kiosk or manual processing counter to complete the form on arrival. During peak travel hours at busy airports like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru, this diversion can add 45–90 minutes to your immigration processing time. If you have a domestic connecting flight — you could miss it. The Bureau of Immigration has added assist desks at major airports, but they are not designed to handle everyone who forgot to file online. Do not rely on them.
Which Indian Airports Does This Apply To?
The e-Arrival Card requirement applies to all international airports in India. There are no exceptions by airport. Whether you are arriving in a major metro or a smaller international gateway — the requirement is the same.
Airport | City | IATA Code | e-Arrival Card Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
Indira Gandhi International | New Delhi | DEL | ✅ Yes |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International | Mumbai | BOM | ✅ Yes |
Kempegowda International | Bengaluru | BLR | ✅ Yes |
Rajiv Gandhi International | Hyderabad | HYD | ✅ Yes |
Chennai International | Chennai | MAA | ✅ Yes |
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International | Kolkata | CCU | ✅ Yes |
Cochin International | Kochi | COK | ✅ Yes |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International | Ahmedabad | AMD | ✅ Yes |
All other international airports | Across India | — | ✅ Yes — no exceptions |
Special Guidance for OCI Holders — By Country
OCI cardholders are spread across the world — with the largest concentrations in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. Here is specific guidance for each community.
OCI Holders in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧
British nationals of Indian origin holding OCI cards are among the most frequent fliers to India — for family visits, business, and property management. From 1 April 2026, you must file the e-Arrival Card at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival within 72 hours of your scheduled India arrival time. The form accepts UK passport details and OCI card numbers. British passport + OCI card — both required at immigration as before. E-Arrival Card now additionally required.
OCI Holders in the United States 🇺🇸
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC and US Consulates issued advisories confirming the requirement from October 2025. Indian-American OCI holders — including those on H-1B, green cards, or US citizenship — must all file the e-Arrival Card. The Su-Swagatam app is available on US iOS and Android stores. The website works from any US device. No VPN required.
OCI Holders in Canada 🇨🇦
Indo-Canadians traveling to India — whether from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, or elsewhere — must file before departure. The form accepts Canadian passport details. Air India and Air Canada flights to India now include pre-departure reminders in their check-in process, but the responsibility to file remains yours — not the airline's.
OCI Holders in Australia 🇦🇺
Australian OCI holders flying to India via Singapore, Dubai, or directly must file within the 72-hour window before India arrival — not before the first leg of your flight. If your total travel time from Australia is more than 72 hours (rare, but possible with long stopovers), file after your first connection.
💡 Pro Tip — Set a Calendar Reminder 3 Days Before Every India Trip: The 72-hour window is the key rule. The easiest habit is to set a phone calendar reminder for 3 days before every India departure that says "FILE e-ARRIVAL CARD." This takes 2 minutes to set up and saves you from airport chaos. The Su-Swagatam app also sends push notification reminders if you enable them.
Beware of Scams — Only Use Official Channels
Within days of the mandatory e-Arrival Card announcement, fraudulent third-party websites appeared online — charging ₹500 to ₹2,000 to "process" an e-Arrival Card that is completely free. Some of these sites look almost identical to official Indian government portals.
🚨 The e-Arrival Card is 100% free. Always. If any website asks for payment — it is a scam. Close it immediately.
Official Channels — Bookmark These Now
Primary website: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Bureau of Immigration: boi.gov.in
Mobile app: "Su-Swagatam" — search on Google Play or Apple App Store. Look for the official Indian government app with the Ashoka emblem
Red Flags to Watch For
Any website asking for payment for the e-Arrival Card — this is always a scam
URLs that are not .gov.in domains (e.g., india-earrival.com, e-arrivalcard.net — these are fake)
WhatsApp agents offering to "process" your e-Arrival Card for a fee
Travel agents charging extra for e-Arrival Card assistance (some legitimate agents may offer help, but the form itself should always be free)
Pre-Travel Checklist for OCI Holders and Foreign Nationals Flying to India
✅ Complete This Before Every India Flight (2026 Onwards)
Valid passport — at least 6 months validity beyond your intended India stay date
Valid Indian visa OR valid OCI card (OCI card does not expire, but check it is not damaged/unreadable)
e-Arrival Card submitted within 72 hours before scheduled India arrival — QR code saved
QR code screenshot saved on phone AND printed as backup (in case phone battery dies)
India address confirmed — hotel name or family/friend's full address (needed for e-Arrival Card form)
Indian contact number noted — or UK/US/Canada number with India calling code for the form
Travel insurance active — check it covers India specifically
Return/onward ticket ready — may be checked by airline at check-in
If traveling with family: One e-Arrival Card covers up to 5 — complete it for all travelers together
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Filing too early: The form only accepts submissions within the 72-hour window before your scheduled India arrival. If you try to file 5 days before — it will not work. Set your reminder for 3 days before arrival.
Assuming OCI exemption: OCI cardholders are not exempt. The initial exemption was reversed within 3 days of the system launch. All OCI holders must file — every single trip.
Using a third-party website: The e-Arrival Card is free on official portals. Any site charging for it is fraudulent.
Typing wrong flight number or arrival time: The immigration system matches your QR code to real-time flight data. If your flight number or arrival date is wrong — officers may need to manually verify, causing delays. Double-check before submitting.
Leaving the India address blank or vague: "Somewhere in Delhi" is not accepted. You need a specific hotel name and address, or a family member's full residential address including pincode.
Not saving the QR code before boarding: If your phone has no internet at the airport (after an international flight), you cannot access the QR code live. Screenshot it before boarding. Print it as a backup.
Filing separately for each family member: One submission covers up to 5. Filing 5 separate forms for one family is unnecessary extra work. Use the family submission option.
Stay Updated on Every India Immigration Change
The e-Arrival Card is just one of many changes happening in 2026 for Indians abroad and NRIs visiting home. IndiaWale Abroad keeps the Indian diaspora informed on immigration updates, visa changes, and travel rules — across India, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and beyond. Join our community and never miss an update that matters.
Join IndiaWale Abroad — Free →
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👉 Latest immigration rules update 2026 — UK, USA, Canada, Australia and EU for Indians
Frequently Asked Questions — India e-Arrival Card 2026
Do OCI cardholders need to fill the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes — mandatory. OCI cardholders were initially announced as exempt when the system launched on 1 October 2025. That exemption was reversed just 3 days later on 4 October 2025. From 1 April 2026, all OCI cardholders must file the e-Arrival Card before every trip to India, regardless of how often they visit. This applies to OCI holders in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and all other countries.
How early can I fill the India e-Arrival Card?
The form can only be submitted within 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in India. You cannot file earlier than 72 hours. If you submit and your arrival is more than 72 hours away, the system will reject the submission. The recommended approach is to file 2–3 days before your India arrival date — not your departure date from abroad, but the actual time you land in India.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free?
Yes — completely free on all official channels. The form is free at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, boi.gov.in, and the Su-Swagatam mobile app. If any website or agent charges you for filing the e-Arrival Card — it is a scam. Do not pay. Use only the official government portals.
What happens if I arrive in India without the e-Arrival Card?
You will not be denied entry but you will be redirected away from the regular immigration queue to a manual processing counter or kiosk to complete the form on arrival. At busy airports like Delhi and Mumbai during peak hours, this can add 45–90 minutes to your immigration processing time. If you have a domestic connecting flight, you may miss it. Major airports have added assist desks but they are not intended for mass use. Always file before you fly.
Can one person file the e-Arrival Card for the whole family?
Yes. One e-Arrival Card submission covers up to 5 family members traveling together on the same flight. You enter all family members' details in one form and receive a single QR code for the group. This is ideal for families flying from UK, USA, Canada, or Australia to India together for visits, weddings, or holidays.
Does the e-Arrival Card replace my Indian visa or OCI card?
No — the e-Arrival Card does not replace any travel document. You still need your valid passport, and either a valid Indian visa (for foreign nationals without OCI) or your OCI card (for OCI holders). The e-Arrival Card is an additional digital arrival declaration — the online equivalent of the paper form you used to fill on the plane. All your existing documents remain required.
Where exactly do I fill the India e-Arrival Card?
Use only official Government of India channels: (1) Website: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival — works on any browser, laptop or phone; (2) Bureau of Immigration website: boi.gov.in; (3) Su-Swagatam mobile app: download free from Google Play Store or Apple App Store — search "Su-Swagatam". All three are free and official. The Su-Swagatam app is the most convenient for frequent travelers as it saves your passport details for future trips.
Is the e-Arrival Card required for children?
Yes — children traveling on foreign passports or OCI cards must also be covered by an e-Arrival Card submission. However, you do not need separate submissions per child. If traveling as a family, include all children in the single family submission (up to 5 people per submission). Children below 12 traveling on a parent's Indian passport entry are exempt as they are Indian passport holders. Children with their own foreign passport or OCI card must be included in the e-Arrival Card form.
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