India Makes e‑Arrival Card Mandatory for OCI Cardholders Starting October 7

India has tightened its arrival requirements once again. Starting October 7, 2025, the Indian government has made it mandatory for all international travellers, including OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders, to submit an e-Arrival Card before entering the country.

What’s Changing

Earlier, when India introduced the e-Arrival Card to replace the paper Disembarkation Card, OCI cardholders were exempt from filling it out. That exemption has now been removed. According to the latest notices issued by Indian Embassies, every foreign national, including OCI holders, must complete the digital arrival process before landing in India.

How to Submit the e-Arrival Card

Travellers can fill out the e-Arrival Card online through any of the following official platforms:

Step-by-Step Process to Submit the e-Arrival Card

1. Visit the official platform: Go to any of the approved websites or use the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app listed above.

2. Fill in your details: Enter your personal, passport, travel, and contact information carefully. Double-check for accuracy before submission.

3. Submit before arrival: You can complete the form up to five days before you arrive in India. Submitting early helps avoid last-minute issues.

4. Save your confirmation: Once submitted, you’ll receive a digital confirmation. Keep a copy on your phone or print it out, as immigration officers may ask to see it.

5. Present on arrival: At immigration in India, officials will verify your digital e-Arrival Card directly, no need for the old paper disembarkation form.

The form can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival in India.

Physical Disembarkation Card Still Accepted

For now, international travellers can still use the paper Disembarkation Card for up to six months or until further notice. However, Indian authorities strongly recommend switching to the digital e-Arrival Card for faster and smoother immigration clearance on arrival.

Why the Change Matters

The Indian government is pushing to fully digitise entry formalities. While the physical Disembarkation Card will remain available for the next six months (or until further notice), authorities strongly encourage travellers to use the online option. The goal is smoother immigration processing and reduced congestion at arrival counters.

Who’s Exempted

The only travellers exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement are Indian passport holders. Everyone else, including OCI cardholders, foreign nationals, and visitors arriving on e-Visas or regular visas, must complete the process before departure.

Tips for OCI Card Holders

• Complete the e‑Arrival Card online before travel to save time.
• Keep a digital or printed copy handy in case airport officials ask to see confirmation.
• Double‑check your details, especially your OCI document number and address in India.

This change applies with immediate effect, so OCI travellers arriving from October 7 onwards should be prepared to follow the new requirement.

Final Thoughts

If you’re travelling to India after October 7, 2025, make sure to complete your e-Arrival Card online in advance. It’ll save you time and prevent unnecessary delays at immigration.