India e-Arrival Card: How To Fill It Out Before You Land (2026)

The paper landing card that used to be handed out on flights to India is gone. Since April 1, 2026, foreign travelers flying into India must complete a digital e-Arrival Card online before they land. It is free, it takes a few minutes, and if you skip it you can expect delays at immigration.

This guide covers who needs the India e-Arrival Card, when to submit it, what information to have ready, and how it fits alongside your Indian visa.

What Is The India e-Arrival Card?

The e-Arrival Card is India’s digital replacement for the paper disembarkation card. It collects the basic details immigration officers need: who you are, how you are arriving, why you are visiting and where you will stay.

India introduced the online form on October 1, 2025, with a six-month transition during which paper cards were still accepted. That grace period ended on April 1, 2026, when the digital card became mandatory and the paper form was discontinued.

The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. US citizens and most other foreign nationals still need a valid Indian visa or e-Visa to enter. See our guide to the India visa for US citizens.

Who Needs To Complete It?

All foreign nationals arriving in India, including tourists, business travelers, students and medical visitors
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders
Travelers on every visa type, including e-Visas and regular sticker visas

Indian citizens traveling on an Indian passport do not need to complete it.

When To Submit The e-Arrival Card

Submit it within 72 hours before your arrival in India. Filling it in too early will not work, so plan to do it in the three days before your flight lands.

How Much Does It Cost?

Nothing. The e-Arrival Card is free. There are no documents to upload. If a website asks you to pay for an “India arrival card”, you are not on the official channel.

Where To Submit It

Use one of the official channels only:

The Indian government’s visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, which hosts the e-Arrival form
The official Su-Swagatam mobile app

What Information You Will Need

Passport details: number, issue and expiry dates, nationality
Visa or e-Visa details, or your OCI card number
Flight details: airline, flight number and arrival date
Purpose of visit
Address in India: your hotel or host’s address
Contact details: phone number and email
Recent travel history, if asked

Step By Step: Filling In The India e-Arrival Card

Open the official portal or Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours of arrival.
Select the e-Arrival Card option for foreign nationals.
Enter your passport details exactly as printed.
Add your visa or OCI information.
Enter your flight number, port of arrival and date.
Give your accommodation address and purpose of visit.
Review everything carefully and submit.
Save the confirmation and QR code to your phone, and consider printing a copy.

At immigration, show your passport and the QR code if asked. Officers can pull up your details from the submission, which is what speeds up the process.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Submitting more than 72 hours early. Wait until you are inside the window.
Submitting twice. A second form can create a duplicate record. If you need to change something, check whether the portal lets you edit rather than starting over.
Using an unofficial website that charges a fee for a free form.
Mismatched details between the arrival card, your visa and your passport.

Don’t Forget Your Exit Plans

When you apply for an Indian e-Visa or arrive on one, it helps to have your travel plans in order, including how you will leave India. Airlines flying to India on a one-way ticket may ask how you intend to depart, especially on a short 30-day e-Tourist Visa. If you have not booked your exit yet, our guide to proof of onward travel explains your options.

Other Digital Arrival Cards In Asia

India is part of a wider shift across the region. If your trip continues elsewhere, you may also need:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the India e-Arrival Card mandatory?

Yes. Since April 1, 2026, foreign nationals and OCI cardholders arriving in India must complete it before landing.

Is the e-Arrival Card the same as an e-Visa?

No. The e-Visa is your permission to enter. The e-Arrival Card is a free arrival declaration. Most visitors need both.

Do OCI cardholders need it?

Yes. OCI cardholders are included in the requirement.

Do children need their own e-Arrival Card?

Every foreign traveler should be covered. Complete one for each member of your group, including children.

What if I forget to fill it in?

Expect to be redirected to complete it at the airport, which can mean a long wait. Do it before you fly.

Before You Fly

Requirements can change with little notice. Check the official Indian visa portal and the US Embassy in India’s travel updates a few days before departure. Then submit your e-Arrival Card within the 72-hour window, save the QR code, and you are ready to land.