From 1 April 2026, every Non-Resident Indian (NRI) holding a foreign passport – and all OCI cardholders – must submit a free India e-Arrival Card online before flying to India. NRIs traveling on a valid Indian passport are exempt. This guide covers everything NRIs need to know about the e-Arrival Card requirement.
Who Is an NRI for e-Arrival Card Purposes?
For the e-Arrival Card, the key factor is your passport – not your residency status. Any person of Indian origin entering India on a foreign passport must submit the e-Arrival Card, regardless of how many years they lived in India or their Indian heritage.
NRI with a Foreign Passport – Must Apply
If you hold a foreign passport (US, UK, Canadian, Australian, or any other nationality) and are traveling to India, you must complete the India e-Arrival Card before arrival. This applies even if you were born in India or hold OCI status. The e-Arrival Card is mandatory from 1 April 2026 and replaces the old paper disembarkation card.
NRI with a Valid Indian Passport – Exempt
Non-Resident Indians who still hold a valid Indian passport are exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement. Indian citizens entering on an Indian passport do not need to complete the form. However, if your Indian passport has expired and you now travel on a foreign passport, the e-Arrival Card applies to you.
OCI Cardholders – Must Apply
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card. Even though OCI holders have a special status that allows visa-free entry to India, the e-Arrival Card is an additional, separate digital declaration requirement. Having an OCI card does not exempt you from the e-Arrival Card.
Does an OCI Cardholder Need the e-Arrival Card?
Yes – OCI cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card even though they hold OCI status. The e-Arrival Card and the OCI card serve entirely different purposes and both are required at immigration.
Many OCI holders are surprised to learn they need to complete the e-Arrival Card. Here is the key distinction:
- OCI card – grants the right to enter India without a visa, live and work in India
- e-Arrival Card – a digital pre-arrival immigration declaration form required for all foreign passport holders including OCI
At immigration, you will need to present both your OCI card and your e-Arrival Card QR code. This dual requirement has been confirmed by the Indian Bureau of Immigration and applies from 1 April 2026.
Learn more about India e-Arrival Card requirements and how to apply.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step for NRI
Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app up to 72 hours before your departure. The process takes approximately 5-10 minutes and is completely free.
Via the Official Portal (Desktop or Mobile)
- Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
- Click “New e-Arrival Card” or use “Quick Fill from Existing Data” if you have traveled before
- Enter your passport details (number, country of issue, expiry date)
- Enter your flight details (flight number, arrival date, arrival airport)
- Provide your accommodation address in India
- Select your purpose of visit (tourism, visit family, business, etc.)
- Submit – you will receive a QR code confirmation instantly
- Save the QR code or download the PDF
Via Su-Swagatam Mobile App
The Su-Swagatam app is the official Indian government mobile application for the e-Arrival Card. Download it from the App Store or Google Play Store. The app allows you to complete the e-Arrival Card, save your data for future trips, and access your QR code offline after submission.
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
- Foreign passport (number, issue date, expiry date, nationality)
- Flight details (flight number, date, arrival airport)
- Address where you will stay in India (hotel name or family address)
- Email address and mobile number
- Purpose of visit
Read our complete step-by-step e-Arrival Card application guide for more details.
What Information Does an NRI Need to Submit?
You need your foreign passport details, flight number, Indian address, and purpose of visit. The form is straightforward and typically takes under 10 minutes to complete.
Here is a full breakdown of the information required:
| Category | Required Information |
|---|---|
| Passport Details | Passport number, nationality, date of issue, date of expiry |
| Travel Details | Airline name, flight number, date of arrival, port of entry |
| Contact Details | Email address, mobile phone number |
| Stay in India | Full address of hotel or host family in India |
| Visit Purpose | Tourism, business, visit family/friends, study, medical, other |
NRIs visiting family in India should have the complete address of their family home ready. If staying at multiple locations, enter the first address where you will stay on arrival night.
e-Arrival Card at Indian Immigration – What to Expect
Present the QR code on your phone or as a printed copy at the immigration counter – no paper form is needed. Airlines may also ask to see your QR code at check-in before boarding.
Here is the new immigration flow for NRI and OCI travelers from April 2026:
- At departure check-in – Show your e-Arrival Card QR code to the airline agent. Airlines have been instructed to verify QR codes before boarding.
- On arrival in India – Proceed to the immigration counter. Present your foreign passport, OCI card (if applicable), and e-Arrival Card QR code.
- QR code scanned – The immigration officer scans your QR code to instantly verify your declaration.
- Clearance – After verification, you proceed through immigration as normal.
If you forget your QR code, the immigration officer can look up your submission using your passport number, but this may cause delays. Always have your QR code ready – saved on your phone or printed.
See our QR code guide for full details on how to use your QR code at the airport.
Can NRI Retrieve a Previously Submitted e-Arrival Card?
Yes – use “Quick Fill from Existing Data” on the portal using your passport number. This feature allows frequent NRI travelers to pre-fill the form with saved passport data, making repeat applications faster.
To retrieve a previously submitted e-Arrival Card or re-download your QR code:
- Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
- Click “Quick Fill from Existing Data”
- Enter your passport number and nationality
- Your previous submission data will appear
- Update any changed details (new flight, new dates)
- Submit and download the new QR code
Note: Each trip requires a new submission. You cannot reuse an old QR code for a new trip. However, your passport and personal data can be pre-filled to save time.
Key Facts for NRI Travelers
- Mandatory from: 1 April 2026
- Cost: Free
- Where to apply: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or Su-Swagatam app
- When to apply: Up to 72 hours before arrival
- Who is exempt: Indian citizens with valid Indian passport
- OCI holders: Must apply (OCI card does not exempt you)
- Result: QR code to show at check-in and immigration
For questions about transit rules, see our transit passengers guide.
Frequently Asked Questions – NRI and e-Arrival Card
Do NRIs need to fill out the India e-Arrival Card?
NRIs traveling on a foreign passport must complete the India e-Arrival Card. NRIs holding a valid Indian passport are exempt – only Indian citizens with a valid Indian passport are exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement.
Is the e-Arrival Card required for OCI cardholders?
Yes. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card. The OCI card grants visa-free entry but does not replace the e-Arrival Card, which is a separate digital immigration declaration. Both documents are required from 1 April 2026.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free for NRIs?
Yes, the India e-Arrival Card is completely free for all travelers including NRIs and OCI holders. Apply directly at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app. Do not pay any third-party service for this form.
How far in advance should an NRI submit the e-Arrival Card?
NRIs can submit the e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before arrival. You cannot submit it more than 72 hours in advance. The form takes 5-10 minutes, so complete it as soon as your travel is within the 72-hour window.
What if I forgot to fill the e-Arrival Card before my flight?
If you forgot to submit the e-Arrival Card, you should submit it as soon as possible – even at the airport if you have a mobile device and data connection. Airlines are instructed to check for the QR code at check-in. Arriving without a completed e-Arrival Card may result in delays at immigration.
Can I fill the e-Arrival Card on behalf of my family members?
Yes. Each family member needs their own separate e-Arrival Card, but you can fill in the forms for each family member using their passport details. Each person will receive their own unique QR code that must be presented at immigration.
What happens if I change my flight after submitting the e-Arrival Card?
If you change your flight, you must submit a new e-Arrival Card with the updated flight details. The old QR code will contain incorrect flight information. Use ‘Quick Fill from Existing Data’ to pre-fill your passport details and update only the flight information.
Does the e-Arrival Card replace the visa for NRIs?
No. The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. NRIs with foreign passports still need a valid Indian visa or OCI card to enter India. The e-Arrival Card is an additional digital declaration form required alongside your visa or OCI card.
