India has officially gone live with its new e-Arrival Card portal, allowing foreign travellers to submit their arrival details online before entering the country. After a successful test phase, the system is now live at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival.
The system becomes active for arrivals from October 1, 2025, and is set to replace the familiar paper disembarkation forms previously filled out at immigration counters.
Who Needs to Apply for an e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign nationals arriving in India, regardless of whether they travel on an e-Visa, a sticker visa, or a permit related to business, tourism, study, research, medical, AYUSH, or employment purposes.
Indian citizens and holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards are exempt; only non-Indian passport holders must use the digital system.
- Foreign Tourists
- Business Travellers
- Students
- Medical Visitors
- Conference and Research Attendees
Exemptions:
- Indian citizens are exempt from filling out this form.
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are also exempt.
The physical form is being phased out; while a transition period will allow the use of both options, the digital card is strongly encouraged for faster processing.
What You’ll Need Before Applying
Travellers should have the following details ready before starting the online application:
- Full Name and Nationality
- Passport Number and Date of Arrival
- Purpose of Visit
- Tourism
- Business
- Study
- Medical
- Research
- Employment
- Conference
- Countries visited in the past six days
- Local address in India
- Contact details and emergency contact information
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for India’s e-Arrival Card
Applying for your e-Arrival Card before travelling to India is simple. Here’s a practical guide to using the new system:
1. Visit the Official e-Arrival Portal: Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. This is the government’s dedicated site for the digital arrival form—no third-party sites required.
2. Fill Out Your Details: The online form asks for straightforward information, including Name, Passport Details, Arrival Date, Purpose, Address in India and Contact details.
3. Submit Within the Timeframe: Complete the form within five days before your arrival. Some official sources allow submission up to 72 hours before your flight lands, so double-check the latest guidelines on the portal for updates.
4. Receive Your Confirmation: After submitting the form, you’ll get a digital confirmation. Print it out or keep a digital copy; this will help smooth entry at immigration counters.
5. Present on Arrival: Once in India, proceed as usual to the immigration counter. Officers may request to see your confirmation, which replaces the old paper form.
Key Notes for Travellers
- No document uploads are required; just type in the details.
- Indian nationals/OCI holders do not need to fill out the e-Arrival Card.
- The rollout is designed to reduce queues and waiting times, supporting a more seamless border experience for visitors.
Why This Matters for Travellers
By moving to a digital platform, India aims to reduce long queues and cut paperwork at immigration counters. The e-Arrival Card aligns the country with other destinations such as the UK, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia that already use similar systems.
Key Takeaway
If you’re planning to travel to India after October 1, 2025, make sure to fill out the e-Arrival Card online before departure. The new system is live, simple to use, and will soon become a standard part of the entry process for foreign travellers.