What is the India e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card — also called the Digital Arrival Card, Electronic Arrival Card, or simply the India arrival card — is a mandatory electronic form that foreign travelers to India must complete before arrival. It replaced the paper disembarkation card on April 1, 2026. All three names refer to the same document.
The form collects your travel details, accommodation address, and countries visited in the last 6 days. Immigration officers scan the QR code on arrival. You can file it free on the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or through the government's official Su-Swagatam mobile app.
Who must file it?
- All foreign nationals arriving in India (visa holders, visa-on-arrival, etc.)
- All OCI cardholders — even though they don't need a visa, they must file every trip. See our e-Arrival Card guide for OCI cardholders.
- Passengers transiting through India if they clear immigration
Who is exempt?
Two groups do not need to file the e-Arrival Card:
- Indian citizens travelling on an Indian passport. If you hold an Indian passport, the requirement does not apply to you — it is only for foreign nationals and OCI cardholders.
- Airside transit passengers who stay in the international transit area and do not clear Indian immigration.
The 72-Hour Rule
The portal only accepts submissions within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival. Filing too early fails flight recognition — your flight won't appear in the system, and the form cannot be submitted.
Filing is free. Common reasons it fails:
- Too early: More than 72 hours before arrival. Wait.
- Flight not recognised: The airline hasn't filed its manifest yet. Try again 48–36 hours out, or wait 24 hours.
- Portal locked: Session timeout. Start a new session.
- QR code lost: Closed the browser without saving. You must file again.
Timing is the hardest part. Our service handles it — we monitor your arrival and file in the window.
How to File Yourself (Free, Step-by-Step)
- Open indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival.
- Enter your passport details: name, DOB, nationality, passport number, expiry.
- Enter your India visa type and number (or OCI card number).
- Enter your flight number, arrival airport, and scheduled arrival date/time.
- List any countries visited in the last 6 days.
- Enter your India address (hotel/host) and an emergency contact.
- Review all fields and submit. Do not close the tab.
- Download the QR code as PDF and PNG immediately. Save offline and print a copy.
Carry the QR code in your phone camera roll AND as a printed copy. Airport Wi-Fi and phone batteries are unreliable.
Common Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Flight not found in portal | Wait 24 hours; flight manifest not yet filed by airline. Try 48–36h before arrival. |
| Portal says "already submitted" | Do NOT submit again — you have a QR code in your email. Check your inbox (including spam). |
| QR code lost | File again. No penalty if previous submission was only a draft/session. If filed and QR received by airline, contact immigration helpdesk. |
| Portal not loading | Try Chrome incognito, clear cookies, or a different network. |
| OCI card number rejected | Enter the number exactly as printed on the card, without spaces or dashes. |
Let Us Handle the Timing
We file at exactly the right moment and guarantee your QR code before you board. Full refund if we miss our SLA.
Order Filing — from $29Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs an India e-Arrival Card?
Every foreign national AND every OCI cardholder arriving in India must file one. This applies to every trip since April 1, 2026. The paper card has been discontinued.
Do Indian citizens need to file the e-Arrival Card?
No. Indian citizens travelling on an Indian passport are exempt. The e-Arrival Card applies only to foreign nationals and OCI cardholders. If you hold an OCI card you must still file it every trip, even though you don't need a visa.
Is the Digital Arrival Card the same as the e-Arrival Card?
Yes — the e-Arrival Card, Digital Arrival Card, and Electronic Arrival Card are three names for the same electronic form that replaced the paper disembarkation card on April 1, 2026. File it free on the official portal or the government's Su-Swagatam app.
When can I file?
Only within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival. Not before — flight recognition fails outside this window.
I filed but the portal won't let me download the QR code — what now?
Check your email — the government portal sends the QR to the email you registered. If not there, check spam. If the session closed without downloading, you must file again.
Does the e-Arrival Card replace the visa?
No. If you need a visa, you still need it. The e-Arrival Card is a separate form required in addition to your visa (or OCI card).
Is there a family option?
Yes. The official form supports multiple travelers in one submission. Each traveler needs their own passport and visa/OCI details.
What happens if I arrive without the e-Arrival Card?
You may be directed to a separate immigration line or asked to file on the spot at the airport. This can cause significant delays. Immigration staff have discretion.