India mandates 72 hour e-Arrival Card filings for all foreign nationals
| Minimum | 0 hours |
|---|---|
| Maximum | 72 hours |
Foreign travelers arriving in India now need a digital arrival record and QR code before immigration and airlines may request proof at check-in.
Paper arrival cards are gone
India’s e-Arrival Card is mandatory for foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India cardholders. Paper disembarkation cards were discontinued April 1 after a six-month transition.
The card doesn’t replace a valid visa or OCI card. Indian citizens traveling on Indian passports are exempt.
Filing opens 72 hours before arrival
Travelers must submit the free form within 72 hours before arrival through the Bureau of Immigration’s e-Arrival portal or the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app. It requests:
Passport and contact details
Flight number, arrival date and airport
An address in India
Purpose of travel
Basic health or customs declarations
The system generates a QR code for immigration. Because airlines increasingly check for completion before boarding, travelers should file before leaving for the airport and keep an offline copy of the QR code.
Long-term residents file after every trip
The requirement applies to tourists, business travelers, students, employees and remote workers, including foreign residents returning to India. Filing is required for each entry, regardless of visa length or residential status; India’s entry and residency rules don’t create an exemption for long-term foreign residents.
The government charges no filing fee. Websites requesting payment are third-party services rather than the official e-Arrival Card portal.
Frequently asked questions
When do foreign nationals need to file India's e-Arrival Card?
Do I still need a visa or OCI card for India if I complete the e-Arrival Card?
How do I submit India's e-Arrival Card?
What information does the e-Arrival Card ask for?
Do airlines check for India's e-Arrival Card before boarding?
Who is exempt from India's e-Arrival Card requirement?
Do long-term foreign residents need to file the e-Arrival Card every time they enter India?
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