Starting October 1, 2025, all foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders arriving in India are required to submit a mandatory e-arrival card before proceeding to immigration. The Bureau of Immigration 's digital-first effort is to improve the entire passenger experience at Indian airports, expedite immigration, and simplify the arrival procedure. The change eliminates the need for traditional paper-based disembarkation forms, enabling authorities to digitally record critical entry details, stay details, and travel purpose. The government guarantees a quicker, easier, and safer immigration experience for foreign visitors by digitising the arrival card, which also drastically cuts down on lines and paperwork at the counters.



This card will help respective authorities to record all the necessary information, such as stay information, entry details, and travel purpose. And as a significant digital-first move, the Bureau of Immigration has made it mandatory for these travelers to submit an e-arrival form before proceeding to immigration. This program seeks to improve the traveler experience at airports, streamline the arrival process, and cut down on paperwork.



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The e-arrival card replaces the traditional paper-based arrival forms, saving foreign tourists time and avoiding long lineups. Here is a quick rundown of how this system works.



Who needs to fill the e-arrival form?






The e-arrival form is compulsory for:



Foreign nationals, and OCI card holders entering India. One can visit these links and apply at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app. For more clarity, visit https://boi.gov.in/boi/.



Filling the e-arrival form: A simple 5-step process



Completing the e-arrival form is straightforward and can be done anytime before your travel. Here’s how:



Visit the official Bureau of Immigration portal.



Start by entering your personal details including name, passport number, nationality, and purpose of visit.



Then fill all arrival information such as flight details, address in India, and contact information.



Review carefully and submit the form securely.



Once you receive the confirmation, proceed to the immigration counter without delay.



Travellers may include up to five family members on the form in a single submission. Notably, the process is quick and easy because no further documents need to be uploaded.



Why use the E-Arrival card?



Travellers can save time and have a seamless trip with the e-arrival card. Passengers avoid last-minute hassles at the airport because it can be filled at any time before travel. The digital form, which is official, secure, and connected with India's immigration procedures, offers convenience and compliance.



Therefore, please be advised that you need to finish your e-arrival card before boarding your flight if you are thinking about travelling to India. By doing this simple step, you can enter India with ease and avoid a lengthy immigration wait.The Bureau of Immigration webpage allows foreign nationals and holders of OCI cards to complete the e-arrival card online and obtain immediate confirmation.