Beginning October 1, 2025, the Government of India has replaced the traditional paper-based arrival card for foreign visitors with a new mandatory digital e-Arrival Card. All foreign nationals must now complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours prior to entering India, marking a landmark shift in India’s immigration procedures and border management practices.
What Is the e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is a digital document capturing essential personal and travel details. It must be completed by all foreign travelers, including those on tourist, business, student, and even e-Visas. The card requires the following information:
- Passport and visa particulars
- Flight details and arrival date
- Purpose of visit
- Address during stay in India
- Emergency contact details
- Recent travel history (typically for the past 6 to 30 days).
Indian passport holders and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders are now also required to submit this form, following a recent regulation update.
How to Complete the e-Arrival Card
The form is accessible through official platforms:
- Indian Visa Online Portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in)
- Indian Bureau of Immigration website (boi.gov.in)
- “Visa Su-Swagatam” mobile application.
After online submission, travelers receive a digital confirmation, which may feature a QR code or reference number. This confirmation should be saved or printed and shown at immigration upon arrival.
Transition Period
During the initial six-month transition phase, physical arrival cards will still be accepted at airports. However, authorities strongly encourage the use of the online system as it speeds up immigration checks and queues, improving overall air travel efficiency.
Purpose and Impact
This initiative is part of India’s effort to digitize travel infrastructure, promote contactless procedures, and enhance data quality for border management. The e-Arrival Card data integrates directly with India’s Immigration Management Systems, assisting real-time arrivals tracking, validation, and risk profiling. Faster clearance and accurate information entry are expected outcomes, benefiting both travelers and authorities.
What Travelers Should Keep in Mind
- Completing the e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign visitors.
- Travelers must continue to obtain proper visas — the new form does not change overall visa requirements.
- Save or print the confirmation received after form submission; it will be requested at immigration.
- Early completion promotes a seamless and faster experience at the airport.
India’s move reflects a broader digital transformation in global mobility and border control protocols. Travelers are encouraged to update travel routines, check for further government notifications, and adopt the new system well ahead of their trips for uninterrupted entry
Disclaimer: The information published in the above newsletter is collected from various sources in electronic medium and analyzed by the firm. The reader is advised to consult the attorney qualified in their jurisdiction, before acting on any information contained in this newsletter. India Juris excepts no liability what so ever in this regard.
