How to Fill India e-Arrival Card: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Before You Start – What You Need

The India e-Arrival Card (eAC) is a mandatory free digital form required for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders entering India from 1 April 2026. Filling it takes under 10 minutes when you have the right documents ready. The entire process is free – use only the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or the Su-Swagatam app. No third-party websites or agents are needed.

Before you open the form, prepare the following:

• Valid passport – you will need the passport number, nationality, issue date, and expiry date
• Valid Indian visa or OCI card number – both must be current and unexpired
• Confirmed flight number and scheduled arrival date
• Name of the arrival airport (or seaport/land port)
• Complete accommodation address in India – hotel name and address, or your host’s full address
• Active email address (QR code confirmation is sent here)
• Phone number with country code
• Emergency contact name and phone number

For OCI holders: have both your passport and OCI card on hand. Both numbers are required in the form.

Not sure what the eAC is? Read: What Is the India e-Arrival Card?

Option 1 – Apply on the Official Web Portal

The web portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival is the primary channel for submitting the eAC. It works in any modern browser on desktop or mobile – no account registration is required. If you have filled the form before, use the “Quick Fill From Existing Data” option by entering your passport number and nationality to pre-populate your personal details.

Step 1 – Open the Portal and Select New Application

Navigate to indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival in your browser. Click “New Application” to start a fresh form. The portal is available in English. If you are returning traveler who previously submitted, enter your passport number and nationality in the “Quick Fill” box to load saved data.

Step 2 – Personal Details (Section 1)

Enter your personal and passport information exactly as it appears on your passport:

• First name, middle name (if any), surname
• Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Gender
• Nationality (select from dropdown)
• Passport number (check for zeros vs. letter O)
• Passport issue date
• Passport expiry date
• Visa type (tourist / business / student / medical / other) or OCI card number
• Visa number or OCI registration number

Important: All details must match your passport exactly. Even a single character mismatch can cause delays at immigration.

Step 3 – Arrival Details (Section 2)

Enter your flight and arrival information:

• Airline name
• Flight number (e.g., AI302, EK518)
• Date of arrival in India
• Scheduled arrival time
• Port of entry – select your arrival airport (e.g., Delhi Indira Gandhi International, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata) or seaport/land port if applicable

Step 4 – Address Details in India (Section 3)

Provide your complete accommodation address in India. This is a required field – you cannot leave it blank or write “hotel” without specifics:

• Hotel/guesthouse name or host name
• Street address (building number, street name)
• City
• State
• PIN code (postal code)

If you are staying in multiple locations, enter your first night’s accommodation. If your hotel is not confirmed yet, contact your accommodation in advance to get the full address.

Step 5 – Contact Details (Section 4)

Enter your current contact information:

• Email address (double-check – QR code confirmation will be sent here)
• Mobile phone number with country code (e.g., +44 for UK, +1 for USA/Canada)
• Emergency contact name
• Emergency contact phone number with country code

Step 6 – Add Family Members (Optional)

If you are traveling with family members who also need the eAC, click “Add Member” to include them in your submission. Each member requires their own passport and travel details entered separately. All members in one submission receive QR codes under the same reference number. This is useful for families traveling together on the same flight.

Step 7 – Review, Submit, and Download QR Code

Before submitting: carefully review every field. Corrections after submission are not possible through the standard portal flow. Pay special attention to:

• Passport number (exact match)
• Arrival date (correct day/month/year)
• Flight number
• Email address (typed correctly)

Click “Submit”. The system will process your form and generate a QR code confirmation. Download this QR code immediately and save it to your phone gallery. You will also receive it by email. Print a backup if possible – this QR code is your proof of eAC completion at check-in and immigration.

Option 2 – Apply via Su-Swagatam Mobile App

The Su-Swagatam app is the official Indian government mobile application for submitting the eAC. It offers the advantage of storing your QR code for offline access – useful when you have no internet connection at the airport.

To use the Su-Swagatam app:

1. Download “Su-Swagatam” from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
2. Create a free account using your email address
3. Tap “New e-Arrival Card Application”
4. Complete the same four sections (Personal, Arrival, Address, Contact)
5. Submit and access your QR code from within the app – it is stored for offline viewing

The app also allows you to retrieve past submissions and track your application status. If you travel to India regularly, the app will store your personal details for faster re-submission on future trips.

Timing – When to Submit the eAC

The submission window for the India e-Arrival Card is strict: you must submit no more than 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in India.

• Too early (more than 72 hours before): The system will likely reject your submission or it may not be recognized at immigration
• Recommended window: 24-48 hours before your flight – enough time to correct errors if any arise
• Minimum: Complete the eAC before reaching the airport for check-in – airlines verify completion at the counter
• At the airport only: There is no on-arrival alternative. Paper forms no longer exist. Do not leave this until you are at the airport.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Based on reported traveler experiences, these are the most frequent errors that cause delays or problems:

• Passport number typo: The most common error. Double-check every character, especially 0 vs. O and I vs. 1.
• Submitting too early: Submissions made more than 72 hours before arrival may not be valid. Check the exact cutoff for your travel date.
• Wrong or vague accommodation address: “Hotel in Delhi” is not accepted. You need the full street address.
• Email typo: If your email address is wrong, you will not receive the QR code. Screenshot the QR code immediately on the confirmation screen before leaving the portal.
• Mismatched name: Name must match your passport exactly, including middle names if printed on the passport.
• Expired visa details: Entering an expired visa number will trigger flags at immigration. Ensure your visa/OCI details are current.

What Happens After Submission

Once you successfully submit the India e-Arrival Card:

1. A QR code is generated and displayed on screen – save it immediately
2. A confirmation email is sent to your registered email address with the QR code attached
3. Your data is transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration database and linked to your passport
4. At airline check-in: present your QR code when asked; some airlines verify eAC completion before issuing a boarding pass
5. At Indian immigration: the officer scans your QR code; your submitted data appears on their screen; no paper form is collected

Keep your QR code accessible throughout your journey – on your phone screen or as a printed copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

For full background on what the eAC is: What Is the India e-Arrival Card?

Return to the main guide: India e-Arrival Card 2026 – Complete Guide

Apply now at the official portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival