For a visual guide with screenshots of every field: How to Apply Step by Step with Screenshots
What Is the India e-Arrival Card and Who Must Fill It?
The India e-Arrival Card (eAC) is a mandatory digital declaration form required by India’s Bureau of Immigration for all foreign nationals entering India. It replaces the paper disembarkation card that was distributed on flights — paper cards were discontinued on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026, every traveler who is not an Indian citizen must complete the eAC electronically before arriving in India.
The form is completely free and takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete online. You must submit it no more than 72 hours before your scheduled arrival. Without a valid eAC, you may face delays or difficulties at immigration clearance.
Who must apply:
- All international tourists, business travelers, students, and medical visitors
- Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders (mandatory since 4 October 2025)
- Foreign passport holders arriving by air, sea, or land
- Transit passengers who clear Indian immigration (layover entering India)
Who is exempt:
- Indian citizens holding a valid Indian passport
- Airside transit passengers who remain in the international zone and do not pass through immigration
If you are unsure whether you need to apply, visit our India e-Arrival Card overview page for a full breakdown of eligibility rules.
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What You Need Before You Start
Before you open the official portal or app, gather the following documents and details. Having everything ready will prevent you from losing progress halfway through the form.
Required Information
- Passport details: full name (as printed), passport number, nationality, date of issue, and expiry date
- Visa or OCI card details: visa number (or OCI card number), type of visa, and date of issue
- Flight information: flight number, arrival date, and the airport of entry
- Accommodation address in India: hotel name and full address, or the address of the person you are staying with
- Contact details: a valid email address and a reachable phone number (Indian or international)
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Purpose of visit: tourism, business, medical, student, etc.
Check the full list of India e-Arrival Card requirements if you want to confirm what documents apply to your visa type.
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How to Apply for the India e-Arrival Card — Step by Step
The official method to submit your India e-Arrival Card is through the Bureau of Immigration portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Open the Official Portal
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival using any web browser on your computer or mobile device. This is the only official government portal for the e-Arrival Card. Avoid third-party websites that may charge fees — the eAC is always free on the official site.
Step 2: Create an Account or Log In
New users must register with a valid email address and set a password. If you have submitted an eAC before, you can log in with your existing credentials. Once logged in, click “New Application” to start a fresh eAC submission.
Step 3: Enter Your Personal Details
Fill in your personal information exactly as it appears in your passport:
- Full name (surname and given names)
- Date of birth and gender
- Nationality and country of birth
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
Double-check every detail. Any mismatch with your passport can cause problems at immigration.
Step 4: Enter Your Arrival Details
Provide your travel information:
- Flight number (e.g., AI-101)
- Date of arrival in India
- Port of entry — select your arrival airport from the dropdown (e.g., Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai)
- Purpose of visit
- Expected duration of stay
See our list of supported Indian airports if your port of entry is not immediately obvious.
Step 5: Enter Your Address in India
You must provide a full accommodation address for your stay in India. This can be:
- Hotel name, street address, city, and PIN code
- Home address of a friend or relative you are staying with
If you have multiple destinations, enter the first address where you will be staying. You can always update details later if plans change.
Step 6: Enter Contact Details and Submit
Enter your email address and a mobile phone number where you can receive your confirmation. Review all sections carefully, then click “Submit”. You will receive a confirmation email with your eAC reference number and a PDF you can save or print.
Keep this confirmation accessible — immigration officers at the airport may ask to see it alongside your passport and visa.
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How to Apply via the Su-Swagatam App
India’s Bureau of Immigration also offers the Su-Swagatam mobile app as an alternative to the web portal. The app is available for free on Android (Google Play) and iOS (Apple App Store).
The process mirrors the web portal:
- Download and open the Su-Swagatam app
- Register or log in with your email
- Tap “New e-Arrival Card”
- Complete all four sections: Personal Details, Arrival Details, Address Details, Contact Details
- Review and submit
- Save your confirmation PDF or screenshot
The app also lets you use the “Quick Fill from Existing Data” feature if you have previously submitted an eAC — your passport details are pre-populated, so you only need to update your flight and accommodation information.
Read our dedicated Su-Swagatam app guide for a full walkthrough with screenshots.
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OCI Cardholders: What You Need to Know
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are not exempt from the India e-Arrival Card. The eAC became mandatory for OCI holders on 4 October 2025, several months before it became mandatory for all other foreign nationals.
When filling out the form, OCI cardholders should:
- Enter their foreign passport details (not an Indian passport)
- In the visa/document field, select “OCI Card” and enter the OCI card number
- Enter the OCI card issue date and the issuing country
OCI holders do not need a separate visa to enter India, but the eAC is still required as a pre-arrival declaration. For detailed guidance, see our OCI holders India e-Arrival Card page.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on traveler feedback and official guidance, these are the most frequent errors when filling out the India e-Arrival Card:
- Using a third-party paid website: The official eAC is always free. Any site charging a fee is not the official government portal.
- Submitting too early: The eAC window opens 72 hours before arrival. Submissions made more than 72 hours in advance may not be accepted at immigration.
- Name mismatch: Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport — including hyphens, spaces, and accents. Shortened or nickname versions will cause problems.
- Wrong port of entry: Select the actual airport where you will clear immigration, not a transit hub.
- Not saving the confirmation: Download or screenshot your confirmation email before you fly. Airports do not always have reliable Wi-Fi to retrieve it on arrival.
- Skipping the form if you’re transiting: If your transit requires passing through Indian immigration (even briefly), you still need an eAC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I fill out the India e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the India e-Arrival Card within the 72-hour window before your scheduled arrival in India. Submissions outside this window (i.e., more than 72 hours in advance) may not be accepted. Plan to fill it out the day before your flight, or two to three days ahead if your arrival is after midnight.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free?
Yes, the India e-Arrival Card is completely free of charge. The official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the Su-Swagatam app. Any third-party service that charges a fee for submitting the eAC on your behalf is not affiliated with the Indian government.
Do OCI cardholders need to fill the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card. This requirement took effect on 4 October 2025. When filling the form, select “OCI Card” in the document type field and enter your OCI card number alongside your foreign passport details.
What happens if I don’t fill the India e-Arrival Card before flying?
Without a valid eAC, you may face delays, additional questioning, or processing issues at immigration. Indian immigration officers have been instructed to verify the eAC submission. In serious cases, travelers may be required to complete the form at the airport before being cleared — which can cause significant delays. It is strongly recommended to submit it before you board.
Can I fill the India e-Arrival Card for my whole family?
Yes. The eAC portal allows you to add family members to a single submission using the “Add Member” feature. Each family member will need their own passport and visa details entered separately, but you can manage them all from one account and submit together.
Where can I submit the India e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the India e-Arrival Card through two official channels: the web portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, or the Su-Swagatam mobile app (available on Android and iOS). Both are operated by India’s Bureau of Immigration and are free to use.
Do I need to print the India e-Arrival Card?
You do not need to print the e-Arrival Card — immigration uses your reference number and passport to verify your submission digitally. However, it is strongly recommended to save the confirmation PDF to your phone or email it to yourself, in case you need to show proof of submission at the airport.
Is the India e-Arrival Card the same as an Indian visa?
No. The e-Arrival Card is not a visa and does not replace your visa, e-Visa, or OCI card. It is a separate pre-arrival declaration form required in addition to your existing travel authorization. You still need a valid Indian visa or OCI card to enter India — the eAC is an additional immigration requirement introduced in 2025–2026.
