India Replaces Paper Arrival Forms with e-Arrival Card from October 1

Foreign nationals travelling to India will now face a major change at immigration counters. As of October 1, 2025, the country will replace its long-standing paper disembarkation form with a digital e-Arrival Card. The change is designed to reduce queues, save time, and bring India’s border systems in line with practices already common in hubs such as Singapore and Malaysia.

Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are exempt from this requirement.

Why the e-Arrival Card Matters

Until now, travellers arriving in India often found themselves queuing with pens in hand, filling out paper slips before approaching immigration. This extra step has been a source of delay for years. The new e-Arrival Card removes the paper stage entirely by allowing foreigners to complete the arrival information online.

How to Fill the e-Arrival Card

The form itself is straightforward. Foreign nationals will need only five basic details:

Passport number
Nationality
Purpose of travel (tourism, business, work, education)
Place of stay in India
Mobile number

No other documents are required at this stage.

Where and When to Submit

The e-Arrival Card can be completed up to three days before the journey. Submissions are accepted through official and secure platforms:

boi.gov.in— Bureau of Immigration portal
indianvisaonline.gov.in— Indian Visa website
Su-Swagatam — Indian Visa mobile app
newdelhiairport.in— Delhi Airport’s website

Travellers are advised to submit early, double-check their details, and keep a screenshot or confirmation handy. Errors may cause delays at the counter.

Delhi Airport Leads the Rollout

International Queue at IGI Airport Delhi

The system will first be visible at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, operated by GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration. Other airports will follow, but the nationwide requirement begins the same day.

“The new facility will allow faster clearances and shorter waiting times,” said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL. He noted that reducing paper use is also part of the airport’s sustainability goals.

Passengers will now be able to walk off their flights with the confidence that their arrival details have already been recorded digitally.

Part of a Broader Upgrade

The e-Arrival Card is being introduced alongside other improvements to India’s border management. In 2024, the government launched the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders. That programme, now running at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Ahmedabad, will soon extend to Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar.

With FTI-TTP easing entry for Indians and OCIs, and the e-Arrival Card simplifying the process for foreign nationals, India is reshaping immigration procedures on both sides. There is a clear intent for faster and more reliable entry for all categories of travellers.

Practical Advice for Visitors

For those planning to travel after October 1, the e-Arrival Card should be part of your travel checklist. This is just the digital version of the old arrival slip, only faster and far less stressful.

A few key reminders:

Submit early — Do not leave it until the last minute.
Check details carefully — Incorrect entries can cause problems at immigration.
Carry proof — Keep a screenshot or email copy of the confirmation.

Note: The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. Foreign nationals must still apply for a valid India eVisa before travelling. Begin your India eVisa Application today to ensure a smooth journey.