What Is the India e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card is a free mandatory digital form that replaces paper disembarkation cards, required from all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders entering India. Submitted online up to 72 hours before arrival, the India e-Arrival Card is processed by India’s Bureau of Immigration and must be completed before boarding your flight – no paper alternatives are accepted at any Indian airport.
The India e-Arrival Card was introduced on a voluntary basis from October 2025, replacing the physical disembarkation slip that travelers previously filled out on the plane. From 1 April 2026, submission became fully mandatory. The official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival and the official mobile app is Su-Swagatam.
Who Must Complete the India e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card is required for nearly all international travelers – foreign passport holders, OCI cardholders, tourists, students, business visitors, and medical travelers alike must all submit before arriving.
Foreign Nationals
Every foreign passport holder entering India – regardless of visa type – must complete the India e-Arrival Card. This includes travelers on tourist visas, business visas, student visas, medical visas, and e-Visas. The eAC does not replace your visa – you still need a valid visa (or OCI card) plus the e-Arrival Card.
OCI Cardholders
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders must submit the India e-Arrival Card from October 4, 2025 onward. OCI holders were previously exempt, but a rule change now requires them to complete the eAC before every trip to India. OCI holders do not need a separate visa, but they do need the eAC – these are two separate requirements.
Who Is Exempt?
Indian citizens (holders of Indian passports) are fully exempt from the India e-Arrival Card. Diplomatic passport holders and certain transit passengers may also be exempt – see our full eligibility guide for complete exemption details.
Documents Required to Fill the India e-Arrival Card
The India e-Arrival Card form collects four categories of information – passport details, travel information, accommodation details, and a brief health declaration. Gather all of these before you begin filling the form.
Passport Details
You will need to provide:
- Passport number
- Passport issue date and expiry date
- Nationality as shown on your passport
- Date of birth
- Full name as printed on passport
For OCI cardholders, you will also need your OCI card number. Enter it in the relevant field on the portal. Your OCI card number is printed on the front of your OCI card – it is not the same as your foreign passport number.
Travel Information
You will need:
- Flight number (e.g., AI 302)
- Arrival airport in India (e.g., Indira Gandhi International – DEL)
- Date of arrival in India
- Country you are traveling from
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, study, medical, etc.)
Accommodation and Contact Details
The India e-Arrival Card requires:
- Full address of your first accommodation in India (hotel name, street, city)
- Email address
- Mobile phone number (preferably with country code)
If you are staying with family or friends, provide their full address. If you have not yet booked accommodation, enter the address of where you intend to stay during your first night.
Health Declaration
A short health declaration is part of the India e-Arrival Card form. You will be asked standard questions about recent travel history and any symptoms. This takes under one minute to complete and does not require any medical documents.
Step-by-Step: How to Submit Your India e-Arrival Card
The India e-Arrival Card can be submitted through two official channels – the government web portal or the Su-Swagatam mobile application. Both are free and lead to the same result.
Option 1 – Official Portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival)
- Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival on any device with internet access.
- Click “New Application” and enter your passport number and nationality to start.
- Complete all four sections: passport details, travel information, accommodation, health declaration.
- Review your entries carefully – errors may require resubmission.
- Submit the form. You will receive a confirmation with a reference number via email.
- Save or print the confirmation. Some airlines and immigration officers ask to see it.
Option 2 – Su-Swagatam Mobile App
- Download the Su-Swagatam app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Register with your email address and create a profile.
- Select “e-Arrival Card” from the main menu.
- Fill in all required fields as described above.
- Submit and save the digital confirmation to your phone.
The Su-Swagatam app also allows you to fill the form using data from a previous trip, which saves time for frequent travelers to India.
Important Rules and Deadlines
The India e-Arrival Card must be submitted within a strict time window – failure to comply can result in boarding being denied or delays at immigration.
72-Hour Window
You may submit the India e-Arrival Card at any time within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in India. You cannot submit earlier than 72 hours before arrival, and you cannot submit after boarding. The recommended time is 24-48 hours before your flight departs.
No Paper Forms Accepted
As of 1 April 2026, paper disembarkation cards are no longer distributed on flights to India. There are no paper alternatives at airports. If you arrive without a completed India e-Arrival Card, you may face delays at immigration clearance. Submit before you fly.
India e-Arrival Card vs e-Visa: Key Differences
The India e-Arrival Card and the Indian e-Visa are two completely separate documents – both may be required, but they serve different purposes.
| Feature | India e-Arrival Card | India e-Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Digital immigration arrival form | Permission to enter India |
| Cost | Free | Paid (fee varies by nationality) |
| When to apply | Within 72h before arrival | At least 4 days before arrival |
| Required for OCI holders | Yes | No (OCI replaces visa) |
| Official portal | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival | indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa |
If you are a foreign national traveling to India, you typically need both a valid visa (or e-Visa) AND an India e-Arrival Card. If you are an OCI cardholder, you need the eAC but not a separate visa. Learn more about who specifically must apply in our eligibility guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the India e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. The India e-Arrival Card is completely free of charge. It is a service of Indian Immigration provided at no cost. Any website charging a fee to submit the eAC is a third-party service – you can always apply directly and for free at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or through the Su-Swagatam app.
When can I fill in the India e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the India e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in India. For example, if you arrive on Friday at 10:00 AM, you can submit from Tuesday at 10:00 AM onward. You cannot submit earlier than 72 hours before arrival.
Do I need both an e-Visa and an e-Arrival Card for India?
Yes, if you are a foreign national. The India e-Arrival Card is a separate immigration form and does not replace your visa. You need a valid visa or e-Visa plus the eAC. OCI cardholders only need the eAC – their OCI card already serves as a lifelong visa equivalent.
What documents do I need to fill in the India e-Arrival Card?
You need your passport (number, issue/expiry dates), your flight number and arrival airport, the address of your accommodation in India, your email address and phone number, and a short health declaration. OCI cardholders also need their OCI card number.
Can I fill in the India e-Arrival Card at the airport?
No. The India e-Arrival Card must be submitted before you board your flight. There are no paper forms or kiosks at Indian airports for this purpose. If you arrive without a completed eAC, you may face significant delays at immigration. Always complete it at home within 72 hours before departure.
Do children need their own India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Every traveler – including infants and children – requires their own individual India e-Arrival Card. Children cannot be added to a parent’s form. A parent or guardian can fill in the form on behalf of a minor using the child’s passport and travel details.
What app can I use to submit the India e-Arrival Card?
The official mobile application is Su-Swagatam, available on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play). You can also apply through the web portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival on any browser.
Do OCI cardholders need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Since October 4, 2025, OCI cardholders must complete the India e-Arrival Card before every trip to India. OCI holders were previously exempt, but this exemption was removed. The eAC is free, takes about 5 minutes, and must be submitted within 72 hours of arrival. Read our dedicated OCI e-Arrival Card guide for full details.
What happens if I made a mistake on my e-Arrival Card?
If you made an error, you should submit a new India e-Arrival Card with the correct information. The system allows resubmission. Use the same portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. There is no penalty for submitting more than once – the most recent valid submission applies.
For a full breakdown of who exactly must complete the India e-Arrival Card and who is exempt, visit our eligibility and exemptions guide. If you are ready to apply, go to the application page.
