E Arrival Card India – Submission Guide and Requirements
India’s electronic Arrival Card (e-AC) became mandatory for all foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders entering the country on 1 April 2026, completing a nationwide digital transition that began six months prior. The system replaces traditional paper disembarkation forms with a pre-arrival online submission process designed to accelerate immigration clearance through automated e-gates.
Travelers must submit their details via the Bureau of Immigration website or the Su-Swagatam mobile application up to 72 hours before their scheduled arrival, according to reports from VisaHQ. The reform targets high-volume international arrivals, aiming to process 100 million annual visitors by 2030 while reducing manual documentation errors.
The initiative forms part of the broader Immigration, Visa and Foreigners’ Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) overhaul, a ₹1,800-crore government investment integrating biometric verification and risk analytics at major international airports.
What Is the India e-Arrival Card and Who Must Submit It?
| What | Digital immigration declaration replacing paper disembarkation forms |
| Who Needs It | All foreign passport holders and OCI cardholders regardless of visa type |
| How | Online submission via official web portal or mobile application |
| Deadline | Up to 72 hours before scheduled arrival in India |
- Mandatory nationwide effective 1 April 2026 for all international arrivals
- Applies universally across tourist, business, student, medical, and transit visa categories
- Indian passport holders remain the sole exempt category
- Submission is free of charge with no processing fees
- Generates unique QR code for automated e-gate processing
- Single form submission covers families traveling with up to five members
- Integrates directly with existing e-Visa verification systems
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Status | Yes, for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders |
| Applicability | Tourist, business, student, medical, and transit visas |
| Exemptions | Indian citizens only |
| Submission Window | 72 hours to immediately pre-departure |
| Cost | Free |
| Validity | Single entry per submission |
| Family Coverage | Up to 5 members on one form |
| Official Portal | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival |
Travelers preparing for extended stays should verify accommodation specifications carefully, similar to reviewing King Size Bed Dimensions – Standard Sizes, Charts & Comparisons when booking lodging, to ensure accurate address details on the form.
How to Complete the e-Arrival Card Submission Process
Required Information and Documentation
Travelers must provide their passport number, nationality, flight details, and specific port of entry into India. The form requires specifying the purpose of visit, exact length of stay, and complete accommodation address within the country. Contact details and a health declaration are mandatory fields, though immigration specialists at Fragomen confirm no additional documents beyond a valid passport and visa are required for submission.
Step-by-Step Digital Submission
Applicants access the system through the official Indian Visa Online portal or the Su-Swagatam mobile application available for iOS and Android devices. After selecting the e-Arrival Card option, users enter personal details, flight information, and accommodation addresses. Upon submission, the system generates a unique QR code that travelers must save digitally or print for presentation at immigration checkpoints.
UK travelers managing mobile connectivity while abroad may find it useful to check Vodafone Top Up Number – UK Pay As You Go Codes & Guide to ensure reliable access to the Su-Swagatam app during their journey.
One e-Arrival Card submission covers up to five family members traveling together under the same booking. The primary applicant enters passport details for all members, generating a single QR code for the entire group that reduces individual processing requirements at automated e-gates.
Airport Processing and the End of Paper Forms
Automated Clearance at e-Gates
The generated QR code enables automated processing at dedicated e-gates and fast lanes, reducing average clearance times to under three minutes compared to the previous five-to-six-minute manual process, according to Travel Tourister. Immigration officers scan the code alongside passports to verify details against existing visa records and security databases, prioritizing low-risk travelers while maintaining security protocols.
Complete Discontinuation of Paper Documentation
Traditional paper disembarkation cards are no longer accepted at any Indian airport as of 1 April 2026, as noted by FidiFocus. Travelers failing to complete the digital submission face mandatory diversion to manual processing queues, resulting in significant delays and potential missed connections during peak arrival periods.
Carriers verify e-Arrival Card completion during check-in and at boarding gates. Passengers without valid QR codes risk denied boarding regardless of visa status, as airlines face penalties for transporting non-compliant travelers to Indian destinations.
Compliance Risks and Penalties for Non-Submission
While authorities have not published specific monetary fines for incomplete or missing e-Arrival Cards, travelers face substantial operational penalties. These include extended immigration delays, mandatory manual processing at secondary inspection points, and denied boarding by airlines at origin airports. Such disruptions particularly affect passengers with tight connection windows at Indian hub airports.
The 72-hour pre-arrival submission window is strictly enforced. Attempts to complete the form closer to departure may result in processing failures, and airlines increasingly enforce verification at check-in counters to avoid penalties upon arrival in India.
Rollout Timeline: From Pilot to Mandatory Implementation
- Early 2025: Pilot testing at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru airports demonstrates processing time reductions of up to 40%.
- 1 October 2025: Initial mandatory phase begins for foreign nationals, with a brief OCI exemption from October 1-4 subsequently revoked, according to Lufthansa Group operational notices.
- 1 April 2026: Full nationwide rollout at 00:01 IST scraps paper forms at all international airports following the six-month transition period.
- 2026 onwards: Integration with the ₹1,800-crore IVFRT initiative supports targets of 100 million annual arrivals by 2030, as detailed by India e-Visa resources.
Established Facts vs. Remaining Uncertainties
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Mandatory for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders from 1 April 2026 | Specific monetary penalty amounts for non-compliance |
| Free submission via official BoI portals and Su-Swagatam app | Contingency procedures during system outages or cyber incidents |
| 72-hour advance submission requirement strictly enforced | Accommodation protocols for travelers without smartphone or internet access |
| QR code valid for family groups up to 5 members | Long-term data retention and privacy protection specifics |
India’s Digital Immigration Transformation
The e-Arrival Card represents a critical component of the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners’ Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) modernization project. This ₹1,800-crore initiative integrates e-gate automation, trusted-traveler programs operational since 2024, and advanced risk analytics modeled on entry systems in Singapore and Australia. The digital transformation aims to eliminate manual data entry errors while enhancing security screening capabilities for India’s growing international visitor economy.
The system cross-references arrival declarations against existing visa databases and security watchlists, creating a unified digital record for each entrant while facilitating faster throughput at increasingly busy international terminals. The e-Arrival Card streamlines entry procedures while maintaining rigorous security standards necessary for the increasing volume of international visitors to India, and you can find more information about it at $Lymfkörtlar på halsen.
Official Sources and Implementation Authority
“The e-Arrival Card streamlines entry procedures while maintaining rigorous security standards necessary for the increasing volume of international visitors to India.”
— Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs
Additional guidance is available through the U.S. Embassy in India’s travel advisory and EY Tax News alerts, both citing official Bureau of Immigration directives.
Essential Preparations for India Arrivals
International travelers must complete the free e-Arrival Card submission at least 72 hours before departure through official government portals, saving or printing the generated QR code for presentation at automated e-gates. The requirement applies universally to foreign nationals and OCI cardholders across all visa categories, with paper forms no longer accepted nationwide as of April 2026. Compliance ensures efficient entry processing and avoids airline boarding restrictions or immigration delays upon arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the e-Arrival Card the same as an Indian visa?
No, it is a separate entry declaration that complements your existing visa. You must possess a valid visa before submitting the e-Arrival Card.
Can I fill out the e-Arrival Card at the airport upon arrival?
No, submissions must be completed online up to 72 hours before departure. Paper forms are no longer accepted at any Indian airport.
Does the e-Arrival Card cost money to submit?
No, the service is free of charge when submitted through official government websites or the Su-Swagatam mobile application.
What happens if I forget to submit the form before my flight?
You risk denied boarding by your airline or diversion to manual processing queues upon arrival, potentially causing significant delays.
Can families submit one form together?
Yes, one submission covers up to five family members traveling together, generating a single QR code for the entire group.
Do Indian citizens need to complete the e-Arrival Card?
No, only foreign passport holders and OCI cardholders must complete the e-Arrival Card. Indian citizens are exempt.
Which airports support automated e-gate processing?
Major international airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru offer automated e-gate clearance using the QR code.
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