Travel guides · Published 2026-11-05
India e-Arrival Card: the complete guide for 2026
Since 1 October 2025 every foreign traveller arriving in India must fill in the e-Arrival card online. It is free, it takes about 10 minutes, and it can only be sent in the 72 hours before you land. Here is everything you need to know.
What is the India e-Arrival card?
It is the digital version of the old paper disembarkation card that you used to fill in on the plane. It tells Indian immigration who you are, where you come from and where you will stay. It is not a visa: if you need a visa (most European travellers do), you must still apply for your e-Visa separately.
Who has to fill it in?
- All foreign nationals entering India: tourists, business travellers, people with an e-Visa or a regular visa.
- Children and babies too: every traveller needs their own card.
- OCI card holders: the official OCI FAQ says yes, all foreign nationals must fill it in.
- Indian citizens travelling with an Indian passport do not need it.
When can you send it? The 72-hour rule
You can submit the e-Arrival card only within the 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in India. Not earlier. Example: if you land in Delhi on Friday at 10:00, you can send it from Tuesday at 10:00 onwards. Tip: do it the day before you leave, when your flight details are certain.
Where to fill it in (official and free)
- The official form: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival (the page says: "free of cost service of Indian Immigration").
- The Bureau of Immigration website (boi.gov.in).
- The official app "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam".
What information you need
| Field | Tip |
|---|---|
| Name and surname | Exactly as in the passport, in capital letters |
| Nationality and passport number | Use the passport you will travel with |
| Purpose of the trip | Tourism, business, visiting family… |
| Date of arrival | The day you land in India |
| Countries visited in the last 6 days | Include stopovers where you left the airport |
| Address in India, state and district | Your first hotel is enough |
| Email and phone | You receive the confirmation here |
| Emergency contact | Optional |
Step by step
- Open the official form within 72 hours of your arrival.
- Enter passport number and nationality, then fill in your details.
- Travelling with family or friends? Use "Add Member" to add each person in the same form.
- Type the captcha (the letters in the picture) and submit.
- Save the confirmation on your phone and keep a printed copy: show it if immigration asks for it.
Most common mistakes
- Sending it too early: more than 72 hours before arrival the form will not accept your date.
- Forgetting the children: each child needs their own card.
- Thinking it replaces the visa: the e-Visa is a separate application, to be made at least 4 days before the trip.
- Name written differently from the passport: copy it letter by letter.
Questions and answers
Is the India e-Arrival card free?
Yes. On the official website it is completely free.
How many days before arrival can I fill it in?
Only within the 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in India.
Do children need an e-Arrival card?
Yes, every traveller needs one, including babies. Use "Add Member" to add them in the same form.
Is the e-Arrival card a visa?
No. It is only an arrival declaration. If you need a visa, you must apply for the e-Visa separately.