What the e-Arrival card is
For years, everyone landing in India filled in a small paper disembarkation card on the plane. India has replaced it with an online form, the e-Arrival card, run by the Bureau of Immigration. You enter the same kind of details as before, but you do it on your phone or computer before you fly.
The card is separate from your visa. It does not give you permission to enter India, and it does not replace an e-Visa, a paper visa or an OCI card. Think of it as the landing card, moved online. The Foreign Office makes the same point in its India entry advice: the e-Arrival card is not a visa.
It is free to complete on the official website. Be careful with search results, because some private websites offer to fill it in for a fee. You do not need them.
Who needs to fill it in
The rule is aimed at foreign nationals arriving in India. If you are travelling on a British passport, you are a foreign national in India’s eyes, even if you were born there or your whole family is Indian. That includes people travelling on an e-Visa, a tourist visa, a business visa or a student visa.
Indian passport holders do not need it. Official guidance on OCI cardholders has not been consistent: some Indian missions have said they are exempt, while other current guidance says they should complete it. Because it is free and quick, our advice is simple. If you travel on a British passport, fill it in, whether you have a visa or an OCI card.
Each traveller needs their own card, including children. A parent can usually complete the forms for the whole family, one after another.
- British passport with an Indian e-Visa or paper visa: yes, fill it in.
- British passport with an OCI card: we recommend you fill it in.
- Indian passport: not needed.
- Babies and children on a foreign passport: one card each.
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When to fill it in
The form opens 72 hours before you travel. If you try to submit it earlier than that, it may not be accepted. So for a Saturday morning flight from Heathrow, the sensible time to do it is on Wednesday or Thursday evening.
A one-stop journey through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi fits easily inside the 72-hour window. Many people do it at the airport in the UK while waiting to board, but it is better done calmly at home with your documents in front of you.
Our tip: Put a reminder in your phone for three days before you fly. It is the easiest thing to forget when you are busy packing.
What you will need to hand
The form asks for straightforward details. Having them ready saves you starting again if the page times out.
| What it asks for | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Passport number, issue and expiry dates | The photo page of your passport |
| Visa or OCI details | Your e-Visa approval email, visa page or OCI card |
| Flight number and arrival date | Your e-ticket or booking confirmation |
| Purpose of your visit | For example tourism, visiting family or business |
| Address in India | Your hotel, or the address of the relatives you are staying with |
| Phone and email, plus an emergency contact | Your own details and someone at home or in India |
How to fill it in, step by step
Use the official Indian visa website at indianvisaonline.gov.in and choose the e-Arrival option, or the Bureau of Immigration’s own site. There is also an official Indian government app for visitors. Avoid any site that asks for payment.
- Open the official e-Arrival page within 72 hours of your flight.
- Enter your passport details exactly as they appear on the photo page.
- Add your visa or OCI details, your flight and your arrival date.
- Give your address in India and your contact details.
- Check every field, then submit.
- Save the confirmation, as a screenshot and as a PDF or email if offered.
At the airport in India
When you reach immigration, you show your passport and visa or OCI card as usual. Immigration can see your submitted e-Arrival record, but keep your confirmation on your phone in case an officer asks for it. A printed copy is a good idea for older parents who are less comfortable with phones.
During the changeover, paper cards have still been available at some airports. Do not rely on that. Filling in a paper card at the immigration hall means another queue at the end of a long overnight journey.
If your parents are flying alone, fill in the e-Arrival card for them before they leave home, print the confirmation, and put it in the same folder as their passports and tickets. Our assisted travel page explains the other things we arrange for older passengers, including wheelchair help at both ends.
The e-Arrival card is not your visa
You still need permission to enter India before you travel. British citizens need either an Indian visa or an OCI card, and your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date with at least two blank pages, according to the Foreign Office.
If you have not sorted that yet, start there. Our India visa and OCI help page explains the options, and e-Visas in particular can be refused if the wrong category is chosen. Once your visa or OCI is in place, the e-Arrival card is the last small step before you fly.
Questions people ask
Is the India e-Arrival card free?
Yes. It is free on the official Indian government website. Do not pay a private website to fill it in for you.
How early can I fill in the e-Arrival card?
Within 72 hours of travelling. Submissions made earlier than that may not be accepted.
Do OCI cardholders need the e-Arrival card?
Official guidance has varied. Because it is free and quick, we recommend that anyone travelling on a British passport, including OCI cardholders, fills it in.
Do children need their own e-Arrival card?
Yes. Every traveller on a foreign passport needs their own card, including babies. A parent can complete them.
Is the e-Arrival card the same as an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is your permission to enter India. The e-Arrival card is the online landing card. Most British travellers need both, or an OCI card and the arrival card.
What if I forget to do it before I fly?
You can still complete it before you reach immigration, for example during your connection. Paper cards have been available at some airports, but do not rely on them.
I have an Indian passport. Do I need it?
No. The e-Arrival card is for foreign nationals arriving in India.
