Does Every Family Member Need a Separate India e-Arrival Card?
Yes – every individual traveler entering India must have their own India e-Arrival Card, with no exceptions. This includes infants, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers, regardless of whether they are listed on a parent’s passport or hold their own passport. There is no family or group eAC option.
The India e-Arrival Card became mandatory for all foreign nationals on 1 April 2026. Airlines verify eAC status at check-in for every passenger – including children on the booking. A family of four needs four separate eAC submissions with four separate QR code confirmations.
The good news: the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the Su-Swagatam app both include an “Add Member” feature that lets one adult complete all family members’ eACs in a single session.
How to Add Family Members to One e-Arrival Card Application
Using the Add Member Feature on the Web Portal
The web portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival allows you to add multiple travelers under one application session. Here is how:
- Complete your own eAC first – fill all required fields and submit
- After receiving your confirmation QR code, select “Add Another Traveler” or “Add Member”
- You will be prompted to enter the next person’s passport details
- Repeat for each family member
- Each submission generates a separate QR code – download and save each one individually
Important: Each family member’s QR code must be presented at check-in for that specific person. The codes are not interchangeable.
Using the Su-Swagatam App for Families
The Su-Swagatam app (free on iOS App Store and Google Play) also supports the Add Member feature and is often more reliable than the web portal for multi-person submissions. The app stores all family members’ eACs in one place, making it easy to pull up each QR code at check-in.
- Download Su-Swagatam and create or log into your account
- Submit your own eAC
- Tap “Add Family Member” or “Add Traveler”
- Enter each family member’s passport and travel details
- All eACs are stored in the app – no need to manage multiple PDF files
Step-by-Step: Filling eAC for a Child
When filling the India e-Arrival Card for a child, use the following information:
- Passport number: The child’s own passport number (not the parent’s)
- Name: Exactly as printed on the child’s passport
- Date of birth: Child’s date of birth
- Nationality: Child’s nationality (may differ from parents in some cases)
- Visa type: Child’s visa or OCI card number
- Flight details: Same arrival flight as parents
- India address: Same accommodation address as parents
- Countries visited: All countries the child has visited in the past 10 years (even short trips)
India e-Arrival Card for Infants and Babies
Even infants must have their own India e-Arrival Card. This is one of the most overlooked requirements for family travelers. If your baby is under one year old and listed on your passport (in countries where this is still allowed), you still need to submit a separate eAC for the infant.
For infants on a parent’s passport: Use the parent’s passport number where the infant is endorsed, and enter the infant’s name and date of birth separately. Select the infant’s visa or OCI status as applicable.
For infants with their own passport: Use the infant’s passport number, name, and date of birth exactly as printed on the infant’s passport.
The eAC is free for all travelers including infants. Do not skip this step – airlines count each passenger on the booking, including lap infants, and will check for eAC confirmation.
Confused about what to enter for a very young child’s travel history? List only the countries the infant has actually visited. For newborns, the “countries visited” section will likely be empty or list only the country of birth.
India e-Arrival Card for Minors Traveling Alone
A child or teenager traveling to India without both parents requires special documentation beyond the eAC. While the India e-Arrival Card itself is the same form as for adults, unaccompanied or semi-accompanied minors should also carry:
- Parental consent letter: A signed letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing the trip. Ideally notarized. Include: child’s full name, passport number, travel dates, destination, and the accompanying adult’s name and relationship.
- Contact details: Phone numbers for both parents or legal guardians, available for verification by immigration officers.
- Proof of guardianship (if traveling with a non-parent adult): Court documents, adoption papers, or official guardianship certificate.
- Return ticket: Confirmation of the child’s return journey.
Immigration officers at Indian airports have the discretion to ask for additional documentation for unaccompanied minors. Carrying notarized consent letters significantly reduces the chance of delays or questioning at the border.
Age definition: In Indian immigration context, a minor is generally defined as a person under 18 years of age.
OCI Card Holders in Your Family – What Changed in 2025
If any family member holds an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card, they are now required to submit the India e-Arrival Card. This requirement has been in effect since 4 October 2025 – a significant change from previous rules where OCI holders were exempt from arrival documentation requirements.
This means an OCI-holding child born abroad to Indian parents, or a child who obtained OCI status through one Indian parent, must now submit their own eAC before traveling to India. The OCI card number is entered in the visa/OCI section of the eAC form.
Many families were caught off guard by this change. If your child has OCI status, do not assume they are exempt – the eAC is mandatory for all OCI holders of any age.
Information Required for a Child’s e-Arrival Card
Gather the following before starting the eAC submission for a child:
| Information Needed | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Passport number | Child’s passport bio page |
| Full name | Exactly as on passport |
| Date of birth | Passport bio page |
| Nationality | Passport nationality field |
| Passport expiry date | Passport bio page |
| Visa type and number | Visa approval email or OCI card |
| Arrival flight number | Family’s flight booking confirmation |
| India address | Hotel booking or family/friend’s address |
| Countries visited (10 years) | Child’s passport stamps + your records |
| Passport bio page photo | Scanned or photographed clearly |
Common Mistakes Families Make with Children’s e-Arrival Cards
- Forgetting infants entirely: The most common family eAC error – parents complete cards for themselves and older children but skip the baby.
- Using parent’s passport number for child: Each child must use their own passport number, not the accompanying parent’s.
- Not downloading each QR code separately: Each family member’s QR code is unique – you need to save and present them individually at check-in.
- Missing the OCI requirement: OCI-holding children have needed their own eAC since October 2025.
- Entering adult visa type for child: If a child holds an e-Tourist visa, select “e-Tourist” – not a generic tourist visa category.
For more on avoiding errors in general: India e-Arrival Card Common Mistakes 2026
If the portal crashes while adding family members: India e-Arrival Card Portal Troubleshooting Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need a separate India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Every individual traveler – including children of any age and infants – must have their own separate India e-Arrival Card. Use the Add Member feature on the official portal or Su-Swagatam app to complete multiple submissions in one session.
Does my baby or infant need an India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Even infants and babies require their own India e-Arrival Card. The eAC is free and the form uses the infant’s own passport details. Airlines check eAC for every passenger on the booking, including lap infants.
What is the Add Member feature on the eAC portal?
The Add Member feature on indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the Su-Swagatam app lets one adult complete eAC submissions for multiple family members in a single session. After submitting your own eAC, select Add Member to fill cards for other travelers.
What documents does a minor need to travel to India alone?
A minor traveling without both parents needs a completed India e-Arrival Card plus a notarized parental consent letter from the absent parent(s). Include the child’s passport number, travel dates, and the accompanying adult’s details. Proof of guardianship is recommended if traveling with a non-parent.
Do OCI card holding children need an India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. OCI cardholders of all ages – including children – must submit the India e-Arrival Card since 4 October 2025. The OCI card number is entered in the visa/OCI section of the eAC form.
Can one parent fill the India e-Arrival Card for all children?
Yes. One adult can complete the eAC for all family members using the Add Member feature. However, each submission must use the individual child’s passport details and generates a separate QR code that must be presented at check-in for that child.
What if I don’t know all the countries my child visited in the past 10 years?
Review your child’s passport stamps and family travel records. List all countries visited including transit stops where immigration was cleared. For newborns, the list may be empty or very short. Be as complete and accurate as possible.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free for children?
Yes. The India e-Arrival Card is completely free for all travelers including children and infants. The official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the official app is Su-Swagatam. Any site charging a fee is unofficial.
