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Big news for travelers flying into India! Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has just rolled out an awesome Electronic Arrival Card system starting October 1. Say goodbye to scrambling for those paper forms on the plane or at immigration. Everything is digital now, making your arrival faster and way more convenient. With the new E-Arrival Card at Delhi Airport, travelers can submit their details online before landing for a smooth, hassle-free entry. Get ready for a whole new level of travel ease!
Foreign Visitors Can Now Complete Arrival Details Online
The E-Arrival Card replaces the traditional paper disembarkation form that foreign visitors were required to fill out upon arrival. Under the new system:
- Travellers can submit required details, including passport information, travel history, purpose of visit, and local address in India, through official platforms up to 72 hours before landing.
- Submission options include the Bureau of Immigration’s website, the Indian Visa portal, the “Su-Swagatam” mobile app, and a dedicated Delhi Airport web page.
- No document uploads are necessary; once the form is submitted, the traveler receives confirmation (digital copy). However, officials recommend carrying a printed copy as backup during inspection.
- If you’re coming to India from another country for tourism, work, studies, or health reasons, you gotta fill out the E-Arrival Card. But if you’re Indian or have an OCI card, you’re all good. No form needed!
- Visa requirements remain unaffected: this is a replacement only for the arrival/declaration card, not a visa or entry clearance document.
Benefits of the New Digital Arrival System
The new system is designed to reduce wait times at immigration counters, especially during peak hours, and to enhance passenger convenience. Officials say it aligns with India’s broader Digital India ambitions and will also help reduce paper usage in airports.
With this move, Delhi Airport is keeping pace with top airports in Asia like those in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, where digital arrival and immigration forms are already the norm. It also complements earlier innovations at IGI, such as the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) launched in mid-2024, which allowed faster immigration processing for Indian citizens and OCIs via biometric lanes.
How does the E-Arrival Card reduce wait times at immigration?
Once the E-Arrival Card is live:
- Expect shorter lines and smoother clearances when you land, because your details are already uploaded before you arrive.
- With the basics sorted digitally, immigration teams can simply verify your information instead of retyping it, which means fewer holdups.
- It’s also a strong sign that India is stepping up its tech game in travel and border control, making the whole journey more convenient for everyone.
Heading to India soon? Grab some cheap flights to New Delhi (DEL) from USA and make the most of Indian Eagle deals to save on your trip. Thanks to Delhi Airport’s E-Arrival Card system, you can fill in your details online before landing and skip the long immigration lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to fill the E-Arrival Card?
All foreign nationals arriving in India for tourism, business, medical treatment, studies, or conferences must complete it. Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are exempt.
How do I submit the E-Arrival Card?
You can fill it out online up to 72 hours before your flight via the Bureau of Immigration website, the Indian Visa portal, the “Su-Swagatam” mobile app, or a dedicated Delhi Airport page.
Does the E-Arrival Card replace my visa?
No. This is only for arrival information. Visa or entry permissions are still required as per standard regulations.
How does the E-Arrival Card make arrival easier?
Since your information is pre-submitted digitally, immigration staff can quickly verify your details instead of manually entering them. This reduces queues, errors, and wait times.
Can I update my information after submitting the E-Arrival Card?
Yes, minor corrections can be made before landing. Major changes may require contacting immigration authorities directly.
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