India’s Digital Arrival Card: e-Arrival Becomes Mandatory from April 2026

On 1 April 2026, India will definitively close the chapter on paper-based entry formalities at its airports. The traditional disembarkation card, once handed out on board flights, will be replaced by a 100% digital process: the e-Arrival Card.

Major Indian airports such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Kempegowda International Airport have confirmed the change. Paper disembarkation forms will be accepted only until 31 March 2026.

https://twitter.com/BLRAirport/status/2036816958096888041

All international arrivals—whether from Africa, the Americas, Europe, or Asia—must now complete this new customs and immigration declaration before entering India.

What is India’s e-Arrival Card?

Tested in a pilot phase since late 2025, the e-Arrival Card is a pre-arrival digital form mandated by the Indian government. It lets immigration authorities collect key details—such as identity, flight data, and intended residence—before you touch down. The e-Arrival Card is included at no cost and must be completed after you have obtained your visa; it does not replace a visa.

Foreign nationals must secure a valid eTA or embassy-issued visa before submitting the e-Arrival Card.

Who Needs to Complete the e-Arrival Card?

The digital border process applies to nearly every international visitor:

• Required to file: All foreign nationals—tourists, business travelers, students, medical patients—as well as holders of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

• Exempt: Only Indian citizens holding an Indian passport.

Families can submit a single joint application covering up to five members, simplifying the process for group travelers.

When and How Do I Submit My e-Arrival Card?

You must file your request within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival in India—and at the latest before boarding. Airlines may refuse boarding if you cannot present a valid e-Arrival Card.

Two secure, official channels are available:

• Government web portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival

• Official mobile app: Su-Swagatam, available from Apple App Store and Google Play Store

No uploads are required. Please have ready:

• Passport details (number, nationality, expiry date)

• Flight information (number, point of origin)

• Purpose of visit

• Address of your first accommodation in India (hotel, Airbnb, residence)

• Contact details (email and phone number)

Once validated, a QR code is generated immediately and should be saved on your device or as a screenshot for presentation on arrival.

For travelers coming from extra-European transit hubs where stopovers can be long, arrivals at major terminals such as New Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), or Bengaluru (BLR) often meant lengthy immigration waits. By streamlining the process with digital pre-clearance, India’s Home Ministry sets an objective to cut wait times at immigration by about 40%—aligning its processes with modern systems in Singapore and Australia to deliver a smoother start to your journey on Indian soil.

✅ Departure checklist for a smooth trip to India:

• 1. Valid passport (six months’ validity beyond arrival date, with at least two blank pages)

• 2. Approved Indian visa (paper copy recommended)

• 3. QR code from your e-Arrival Card (downloaded to your smartphone; a screenshot is advisable in case of connectivity issues on arrival)

Need help securing your Indian eTA? Visit our site at Visamundi.co—our agency will soon provide support to obtain your e-Arrival Card.