India’s e-Arrival Card became mandatory at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Bengaluru. Foreign nationals arriving at BLR must complete the digital form within 72 hours before landing – paper disembarkation cards are no longer accepted. The process takes under 10 minutes and the QR code you receive speeds up immigration clearance significantly.
What Is the e-Arrival Card and Why Bangalore Airport Requires It
The e-Arrival Card is India’s digital replacement for the paper disembarkation card that airlines handed out during flights since the 1960s. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) made it mandatory at all international airports in India, including Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.
During the pilot program at Bengaluru and Delhi airports in February 2026, average immigration processing times fell from 5-6 minutes to under 3 minutes per passenger when the digital card was used. The KIA authority officially announced that physical disembarkation cards are discontinued entirely from April 1, 2026.
The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. It is a digital arrival declaration – separate from your Indian e-Visa, tourist visa, or business visa. You need both a valid visa and a completed e-Arrival Card to enter India through BLR. Understand the full difference on our e-Arrival Card vs eVisa comparison page.
Who Must Complete the e-Arrival Card at Bengaluru Airport
The following travelers arriving at Kempegowda International Airport must have a completed e-Arrival Card:
- All foreign passport holders (US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia, and all other nationalities)
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders
- Travelers arriving on any visa type – tourist, business, employment, student
- Passengers in transit who will pass through Indian immigration at BLR
Exempt from the requirement: Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports. They do not need to complete the e-Arrival Card. For a full breakdown see our who needs the e-Arrival Card guide.
Arriving at Kempegowda International Airport: Step by Step
Here is what happens after your flight lands at Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 (international arrivals):
- Aircraft deplaning – proceed to Terminal 2 immigration hall via aerobridges or buses
- Immigration queue – join the “Foreign Nationals” lane (separate from Indian passport holders)
- Document check – present your passport, valid visa or OCI card, and e-Arrival Card QR code
- Biometrics – fingerprints and photograph capture (standard for all foreign nationals)
- Entry stamp – receive passport stamp and proceed to baggage claim area
- Baggage collection – collect checked bags from the designated carousel
- Customs – pass through green channel (nothing to declare) or red channel (goods to declare)
If you forgot to submit your e-Arrival Card before landing, BLR airport has manual kiosks in the immigration area where you can complete it on arrival. However, this adds significant time to your clearance – especially during peak arrival periods in the early morning hours when multiple international flights land simultaneously.
BLR Airport Layout: International Arrivals at Terminal 2
Kempegowda International Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 (T1) handles domestic flights. Terminal 2 (T2), which opened fully in 2023, handles all international arrivals. The T2 significantly expanded capacity with wider immigration halls and more processing counters.
Key facilities in Terminal 2 arrivals area:
- Immigration hall with dedicated counters for foreign nationals and OCI holders
- e-Arrival Card assistance kiosks near the immigration entrance (for passengers who forgot)
- Baggage claim carousels on the ground level
- Customs clearance lanes before the exit gates
- Currency exchange desks, ATMs, and SIM card kiosks post-customs
- Prepaid taxi and cab counters
- Kempegowda Metro Station with direct Purple Line service to MG Road and city center (approximately 45-50 minutes to Majestic station)
The drive from KIA to Bengaluru city center is approximately 40-50 km. Depending on traffic (peak hours can be very congested on BIAL road and Hebbal flyover), taxi travel takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Metro is often faster and more predictable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid at Bengaluru Airport Immigration
Travelers who arrive at KIA without a completed e-Arrival Card face delays at immigration. Based on Bureau of Immigration data and traveler reports, the most frequent issues are:
- Submitting too early – the form cannot be filed more than 72 hours before arrival; the system will reject it
- Wrong flight details – entering an incorrect arrival date or flight number causes mismatches when the officer scans the QR code
- Not saving the QR code offline – always download and store the QR code before boarding, in case you lose Wi-Fi or mobile data on the plane
- OCI holders assuming exemption – OCI cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card too, despite their near-citizen status
- Using third-party websites – only use the official government portals; paid third-party services offer no benefit
For the complete list of pitfalls, see our guide on common e-Arrival Card mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions – e-Arrival Card at Bangalore Airport
Do I need an e-Arrival Card to land at Bangalore airport?
Yes. All foreign nationals and OCI cardholders arriving at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) must complete the e-Arrival Card before landing. This has been mandatory since April 1, 2026. Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports are the only group exempt.
Can I fill out the e-Arrival Card at Bangalore airport if I forgot before my flight?
Yes – BLR airport has assistance kiosks in the immigration area where passengers can complete the form on arrival. However, using these kiosks causes delays and longer queues. It is strongly recommended to submit the form before your flight, within the 72-hour window before landing.
How early can I submit the e-Arrival Card for my Bengaluru flight?
You can submit the form within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival at Bengaluru airport. The 72-hour window is strictly enforced – earlier submissions are not accepted by the system. Most travelers submit 24-48 hours before departure when all travel details are confirmed.
Is the e-Arrival Card free at Bangalore airport?
Yes, the e-Arrival Card is a completely free government service. The official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the Su-Swagatam mobile app. Be aware of third-party websites that charge a processing fee – they are not affiliated with the Indian government and offer no added value.
Which terminal handles international arrivals at Bengaluru KIA?
Terminal 2 (T2) handles all international arrivals at Kempegowda International Airport. Terminal 1 (T1) is for domestic flights. If you have a domestic connection after an international flight, you will need to transfer between terminals – allow at least 2 hours for the process including immigration and customs.
How long does immigration take at Bangalore airport with the e-Arrival Card?
Pilot data from the Bureau of Immigration showed that immigration processing at Bengaluru airport fell from an average of 5-6 minutes to under 3 minutes per passenger with the digital e-Arrival Card. The QR code allows officers to verify details without manual data entry, significantly reducing processing time.
Do transit passengers through Bangalore airport need an e-Arrival Card?
Transit passengers who pass through Indian immigration at BLR (entering India even briefly) need the e-Arrival Card. If you remain airside in a sterile transit zone without clearing immigration, you generally do not need to complete it. Check with your airline before travel. See our full transit passenger guide for details.
📍 Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) — Location & Contact
| Airport Details | |
|---|---|
| IATA Code | BLR |
| ICAO Code | VOBL |
| Address | Devanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562300, India |
| Phone | +91-80-66782222 |
| Website | www.bengaluruairport.com |
| Terminals | Terminal 1 (T1) – domestic & international |
| Immigration | Terminal 1 – international arrivals, ground floor |
| Distance | 40 km north of Bengaluru city centre (MG Road) |
| Transit | Namma Metro Purple Line extension (under construction) — currently taxi/bus only |
