What Is the India e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card is a mandatory digital declaration that all foreign nationals must submit before travelling to India. Launched on 1 October 2025 and made fully mandatory from 1 April 2026, the India e-Arrival Card replaces the paper disembarkation form that airlines handed out on flights since the 1960s. The form is free of charge and must be submitted online – no paper version is accepted at any Indian airport as of April 2026.
The India e-Arrival Card is not a visa. It does not grant entry to India and does not replace your Indian eVisa or tourist visa. It is a pre-arrival digital declaration covering your passport details, travel itinerary, purpose of visit, and address in India. After submission, you receive a QR code which immigration officers scan on arrival.
Australian citizens must complete the India e-Arrival Card before every trip to India, regardless of visa type – tourist, business, medical, or eVisa.
e-Arrival Card vs eVisa – What Is the Difference?
Many Australian travellers confuse the India e-Arrival Card with the Indian eVisa. They are two separate requirements:
- Indian eVisa – grants permission to enter India; applied for separately via indianvisaonline.gov.in; costs USD 25 or more depending on type
- India e-Arrival Card – a digital arrival declaration; completely free; mandatory for all foreign nationals regardless of visa type
You need both. Your eVisa or visa sticker in your passport covers the right to enter. The India e-Arrival Card is the digital arrival form submitted before your flight.
Do Australian Citizens Need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes – Australian citizens are required to complete the India e-Arrival Card before every flight to India. The Australian Government’s official travel advice portal Smartraveller confirms this explicitly: all Australian citizens, including Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders travelling on Australian passports, must complete the e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before travel.
There are no exemptions for Australian passport holders. Whether you are travelling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or to visit family, the India e-Arrival Card is mandatory without exception.
The only individuals exempt from the India e-Arrival Card requirement are holders of Indian passports – i.e., Indian citizens travelling on Indian nationality documents.
What About Australian OCI Cardholders?
Australian citizens who hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card are not exempt from the India e-Arrival Card requirement. OCI cardholders travelling on Australian passports must complete the India e-Arrival Card just like any other foreign national.
This was confirmed by multiple official notices from Indian Consulates and the Bureau of Immigration. Even though OCI cards confer many rights equivalent to Indian citizens for long-term residence, they do not exempt holders from the digital arrival declaration process.
When filling your India e-Arrival Card as an OCI cardholder, select your OCI card status in the form. Carry both your Australian passport and OCI card when travelling.
Key Deadlines and Timing for Australians Flying to India
The India e-Arrival Card must be submitted within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival time in India. For Australian travellers flying from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth, typical flight times to India range from 10 to 16 hours. This means:
- If your flight arrives in Delhi at 19:30, submit your India e-Arrival Card no more than 72 hours before that time.
- The safest approach: complete the India e-Arrival Card 24 to 48 hours before departure – comfortably within the 72-hour window with time to fix any errors.
Do not submit earlier than 72 hours before arrival – the system may not register submissions outside this window. Do not leave it until you are on the plane – inflight Wi-Fi is unreliable and you need a confirmed QR code before landing.
What Documents Australian Citizens Need to Prepare
Before starting your India e-Arrival Card application, gather the following:
- Australian passport – valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in India
- Indian visa or eVisa details – your visa number and type (tourist, business, e-Tourist, e-Medical, etc.)
- Flight information – your confirmed flight number and scheduled arrival time in India
- Accommodation details – hotel address or residential address where you will stay in India
- OCI card (if applicable) – your OCI card number for reference
- Contact details – a working email address and mobile number to receive your QR code
All information on your India e-Arrival Card must exactly match your passport. Any discrepancy between your passport name, date of birth, or passport number and what you entered may cause delays at Indian immigration.
What Happens at Indian Immigration with Your QR Code
When you land in India, present your Australian passport, Indian visa, and the QR code from your India e-Arrival Card at the immigration counter. The officer scans your QR code, which pulls up your pre-submitted arrival declaration on their screen. They verify your details match your passport and stamp you through.
Travellers with a valid India e-Arrival Card QR code experience faster processing. Bureau of Immigration pilot data from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport showed average processing times dropped from 5-6 minutes to under 3 minutes when the digital arrival card was used.
If you do not have a QR code, you will be directed to a manual assistance kiosk. This takes significantly longer and may cause you to miss domestic connecting flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australian citizens need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Australian citizens must complete the India e-Arrival Card before every trip to India. Mandatory from 1 April 2026, confirmed by Smartraveller.
Is the India e-Arrival Card the same as the Indian eVisa?
No. The Indian eVisa grants permission to enter India. The India e-Arrival Card is a free digital arrival declaration submitted within 72 hours of arrival. You need both.
Do Australian OCI cardholders need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. OCI cardholders travelling on Australian passports must complete the India e-Arrival Card. OCI status does not provide exemption.
How long before my flight should I submit the India e-Arrival Card?
Submit within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival in India. Recommended: 24-48 hours before departure.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free for Australians?
Yes – completely free. Official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. Any site charging a fee is unofficial.
Where do I apply as an Australian citizen?
Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam mobile app (iOS and Android).
What happens if I arrive in India without the QR code?
You are directed to a manual assistance kiosk – this significantly increases processing time and risks missing domestic connections. Always complete the India e-Arrival Card before departure.
Related guides:
How to Apply for India e-Arrival Card |
e-Arrival Card Requirements |
e-Arrival Card FAQ |
How to Fix Errors on e-Arrival Card |
Missed Deadline – What to Do
