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India e-Arrival Card
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Mandatory for all arrivals by air

India e-Arrival Card — required before you board.

The India e-Arrival Card is a mandatory travel document for all international visitors entering India by air. Complete it within 72 hours before your flight — or risk being denied boarding.

✓ Takes ~5–10 minutes✓ Submit within 72 hrs of arrival✓ Human review before submission
Filling out the India e-Arrival Card on a smartphone at the airport
Mandatory since January 2024
Required for all foreign nationals arriving by air
What it is

What Is the India e-Arrival Card?

The India e-Arrival Card is an official entry requirement designed to collect essential biographical, contact, and travel information from arriving passengers.

Its primary purpose is to assist immigration and health authorities in monitoring passenger flow and ensuring border security. This digital e-Arrival Card replaces traditional paper arrival forms.

This digital declaration must be completed accurately prior to crossing the border. Whether you call it the India e-arrival form or the India e-Arrival Card — the requirement is the same.

Serene morning at the Taj Mahal — India travel
Eligibility

Who needs it?

Most international visitors traveling to India for tourism, business, or medical purposes must complete this form. If you hold a foreign passport and are arriving by air — you almost certainly need one.

You need it if…

✓You hold a foreign passport (any nationality)
✓You are arriving on any commercial air flight
✓You hold a tourist, business, e-Visa, or any other visa
✓You are transiting through India and leaving the transit area
✓You have an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card

You may NOT need it if…

×You hold an Indian passport
×You are a diplomatic passport holder traveling on official business
×You are arriving by land or sea (different forms apply)
×You are crew on an operating flight
×Your passport has less than 6 months validity remaining
How it works

Four steps to get your e-Arrival Card.

The process is straightforward — provided you have your documents ready. Our team reviews every submission before it reaches the government portal.
1

Preparation

Gather your valid passport, travel itinerary, and local accommodation details before you start.

2

Form completion

Enter your personal information, arrival details, address in India, and contact information.

3

Submission

Review the declaration for accuracy. Our team checks every field before submitting to the government portal.

4

Confirmation

Carry the confirmation — digital or printed — to present to airline staff and border authorities.

Start your application →
Timing

The 72-hour window.

Travelers must submit their application within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival in India. Missing the deadline can result in boarding delays or complications at immigration.

Submitting too early may cause the system to reject the application. Applying at the last minute can lead to boarding denials if processing delays occur. The sweet spot: 48–24 hours before arrival.

7+ days
Ideal window
Plenty of time for review and resubmission if needed.
Recommended
48–24h
Sweet spot
Not too early to be rejected, not too late to be denied boarding.
Best
< 4 hrs
High risk
May not process in time. Airlines can deny boarding.
Risky
At gate
Too late
Airlines will deny boarding without proof of your e-Arrival Card.
Avoid
Taj Mahal at sunset — plan your India trip
What you need

Documents to have ready.

Keep these on hand before you start. The form takes 5–10 minutes with everything in front of you.
📘

Valid passport

Must have at least 6 months remaining validity from your date of arrival in India.

✈️

Flight details

Your inbound flight number and scheduled arrival date. Departure can be added later.

📧

Email address

A working email where your confirmation will be delivered and can be retrieved.

🏨

Address in India

Hotel name and address for your first night, or host's address if staying privately.

Watch out

Most common mistakes.

Our review team catches these errors before the government portal sees them. Know what to avoid.
!

Incorrect passport validity

Applying with a passport expiring in less than six months from arrival date.

!

Mismatched personal details

Entering a name or passport number that does not exactly match your travel document.

!

Wrong travel purpose

Selecting "Tourism" when your actual intent is "Business" or "Medical."

!

Missing accommodation data

Failing to provide a verifiable address for your stay in India — hotel or private residence.

!

Document upload errors

Uploading photos or scans that are blurry, cropped, or don't show all four corners.

Official vs Assisted

Two ways to apply.

This website is not affiliated with the Government of India. The official e-Arrival Card is free at indianvisaonline.gov.in. We offer independent review for travelers who want an expert check before submission.
Feature
Official Government Portalindianvisaonline.gov.in ↗
Our Assisted Service
earrivalcard-india.com
Cost
✓Free of charge
✓Service fee — for review & support
Error checking
✗None — self-service only
✓Expert review by Eshani Vohra before submission
Support if something goes wrong
✗No support line
✓Email support: contact@earrivalcard-india.com
Refund guarantee
✗Not applicable
✓Full refund if card cannot be issued
Who submits the form
✓You, without guidance
✓Guided process with specialist oversight
Confirmation of accuracy
✗No verification
✓Checked against your passport before submission
Affiliation with Government of India
✓Official government portal
✓Independent service — not government affiliated
Start Your Application →Go to official portal ↗
At the airport

What happens at border control.

Submitting the e-Arrival Card is only the first step. Here's what to expect on travel day.
🛫

Airline check-in

Staff will verify your e-Arrival Card confirmation and visa status before allowing you to board.

🛬

Entry decision

The final entry decision is made by border officers on arrival. The e-Arrival Card does not guarantee entry.

⏱️

Length of stay

Border officials strictly enforce the allowed duration of stay based on your visa type.

📄

Documents to carry

Passport, e-Arrival Card confirmation, visa confirmation, and proof of onward travel.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Still unsure? Our agents reply in under 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Is the India e-Arrival Card a visa?
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No. The e-Arrival Card is a health and customs declaration form. You may still require an e-Visa or traditional visa depending on your nationality.
How much does the official e-Arrival Card cost?
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Applying through the official government portal is free of charge. Our fee covers independent review, error-checking, and support.
Do children need their own e-Arrival Card?
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Yes, every individual traveler — including infants and minors — must have an e-Arrival Card filled out in their name.
Can I edit my e-Arrival Card after submitting it?
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Once submitted, you generally cannot edit the form. You may need to submit a new declaration if your travel details change significantly.
How long does it take to fill out the form?
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The form typically takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, provided you have all your travel and passport details on hand.
Do I need to print the e-Arrival Card?
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A digital copy on your smartphone is usually sufficient, but carrying a printed copy is highly recommended in case of technical issues or battery failure.
Is the e-Arrival Card required for transit passengers?
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If you pass through immigration and leave the transit area, you need to complete the form. If you remain airside, it may not be required.
What if I forget to apply before my flight?
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Airlines may deny boarding if you cannot show proof of your e-Arrival Card. It is strongly advised to complete it within the recommended 72-hour window.
Is my data secure?
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Information submitted through the official government portal is managed according to the data privacy and security protocols of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
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Yes, you can fill out the form on behalf of a family member or travel companion, provided you have their consent and accurate travel details.

Don't leave your e-Arrival Card until the last minute.

Apply now and have it reviewed by a human before submission. Takes 5–10 minutes.

Start Your Application →View requirements