{"id":39279,"date":"2026-03-24T09:37:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/?p=39279"},"modified":"2026-03-24T10:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:16:14","slug":"all-about-india-digital-earrival-card-for-foreigners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/all-about-india-digital-earrival-card-for-foreigners\/","title":{"rendered":"All about India\u2019s Digital e-Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors: A Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for It"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 1 October 2025, the Government of India announced phased elimination of the physical disembarkation form and introduced the e-Arrival Card for foreign nationals and citizens, aiming to reduce delays in the post-arrival process at entry airports. Since then, the new digital arrival card has been part of the checklist for travel to India for non-Indian passport holders. Starting April 2026, paper disembarkation forms will be completely phased out and the e-Arrival Card is mandatory for foreign passport holders traveling to India.<\/p>\n

Indian Eagle<\/a><\/span>, the most trusted travel-booking agency for budget flight tickets to India, walks you through what is the new e-Arrival Card, how to apply for it, who are exempt, etc. Read on to know whether OCI Cardholders need the digital e-Arrival Card to enter India.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"India's<\/p>\n

What is India\u2019s e-Arrival Card\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The e-arrival disembarkation card is a token of safe entry into India for foreign passport holders<\/strong>. This pre-arrival process ensures post-arrival convenience, faster immigration clearance, and quick exit or transfer to the connecting domestic flight at major Indian airports. Until 1 October, inbound foreign travelers had to fill out a paper disembarkation form aboard flights to India<\/a><\/span> or at entry airports. Filling the physical form manually would entail such risks as human error, misinformation, incomplete or inaccurate details, and slow processing.<\/p>\n

Requiring foreign visitors to fill out a digital arrival form is a global trend these days<\/strong>. Like Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Japan, China, and South Korea; India digitized the pre-arrival process to streamline and secure the immigration system for foreign travelers. You must fill out the online form before your scheduled flight to India. Without a digital disembarkation card, you may risk your entry to India or face boarding denial at the departure airport<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Who Needs e-Arrival Card to travel to India? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

OCI Cardholders and all foreigners, including tourists, students, business visitors, and medical treatment seekers, must fill out the digital Disembarkation form at Indian government\u2019s e-Arrival Card portal within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival in India. No, OCI cardholders are not exempt to India’s new entry requirement for foreigners. Starting 7 October 2025, Indian-origin foreign citizens having an OCI Card must travel to India with a digital arrival card.<\/p>\n

How to Apply for India\u2019s e-Arrival Card: Step-by-Step Guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is easy and simple to apply online for a disembarkation card to enter India. You neither need to upload documents nor pay a fee. It takes a few minutes to fill out India\u2019s digital arrival form, a replacement of the physical disembarkation form. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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  • Open the official website www.indianvisaonline.gov.in\/earrival or download the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app.<\/li>\n
  • Fill out the online form with your personal details, passport number, date of arrival in India, valid contact information, address of stay in India.<\/li>\n
  • Add details of other travelers in the same form, if you are flying with family or friends.<\/li>\n
  • Review the information you provide in India\u2019s e-arrival form for a disembarkation card before you tick the self-declaration box and submit the form.<\/li>\n
  • A confirmation message comes to the registered email ID and\/or mobile phone number. Save it on your phone or carry a printout with you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Benefits of India’s Digital Arrival Form<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The e-Arrival Card brings several advantages for foreign travelers arriving in India:
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Faster immigration clearance<\/li>\n
    • Reduced wait time on arrival<\/li>\n
    • Quick exit or transfer to domestic flights<\/li>\n
    • No stress to fill out the form during a flight<\/li>\n
    • Absolute convenience to apply using a phone<\/li>\n
    • Fewer chances for inaccuracy of details<\/li>\n
    • No room for handwriting error<\/li>\n
    • Verifiable data of foreign arrivals<\/li>\n
    • More efficient process for the government to track arrivals<\/li>\n
    • Enhanced immigration security<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      On 1 October 2025, the Government of India announced phased elimination of the physical disembarkation form and introduced the e-Arrival Card for foreign nationals and citizens, aiming to reduce delays in the post-arrival process at entry airports. Since then, the new digital arrival card has been part of the checklist for travel to India for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[233],"tmauthors":[],"class_list":["post-39279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-travel-tips","tag-travel-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t