India has announced a digital e-Arrival Card system for all foreign travelers, effective April 1, 2026. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) requires every foreign passport holder, including Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders, to complete the online form before boarding flights to India.
The digital system replaces the paper disembarkation card that has been in use since the 1960s.
India e-Arrival Card Requirements and Process
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | April 1, 2026 (00:01 IST) |
| Who’s Affected | All foreign passport holders including OCI card-holders |
| Submission Platforms | BoI website, Indian Visa Online portal, Su-Swagatam mobile app |
| Required at Immigration | QR code (digital or printed) |
The e-Arrival Card captures passport details, flight information, purpose of visit, intended address, and a health declaration. Once submitted, the system generates a QR code that must be presented at immigration counters.
Indian airports have introduced dedicated “e-Arrival Fast Lanes” to process compliant passengers more efficiently.
Immigration Clearance Process
The Bureau of Immigration reports that airports have updated their systems to process the digital cards. Processing efficiency improvements have been observed during system testing phases.
For comprehensive travel planning to India, review our India Travel Guide for additional entry requirements. Use our Document Checklist to ensure you have all necessary paperwork before departure.
What Happens Without the e-Arrival Card
Travelers who fail to complete the form before arrival face operational consequences. During the first week of implementation, airlines will not automatically deny boarding, but passengers will be redirected to staffed kiosks upon arrival in India to complete the mandatory form.
This diversion creates risks for travelers with tight domestic connection schedules. Mumbai airport, where 45% of inbound passengers are non-Indian nationals, expects significant queue buildups during peak arrival periods if travelers arrive unprepared.
Corporate Travel Impact
Travel management companies report increased advisory calls from passengers unaware of the April 1 deadline. Corporate travel departments have begun updating their pre-trip checklists to include the e-Arrival Card requirement.
The BoI states that the new digital data feed will enable risk-based passenger analytics and help customs and health authorities pre-clear low-risk travelers. Check current processing expectations with our Processing Times tool for the most up-to-date information.
Source: Bureau of Immigration (BoI), India
FAQ
Q: Who needs to complete the India e-Arrival Card? A: All foreign passport holders traveling to India, including Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders, must complete the e-Arrival Card before boarding their flight.
Q: Where can I submit the e-Arrival Card for India? A: You can submit the form through the Bureau of Immigration website, Indian Visa Online portal, or the new Su-Swagatam mobile app.
Q: What happens if I forget to complete the e-Arrival Card? A: You will be diverted to staffed kiosks on arrival to complete the form, which can cause delays and risk missing onward domestic connections.
Q: Can I show the QR code on my phone or must it be printed? A: The QR code can be presented either digitally on your mobile device or printed on paper at immigration counters.