(INDIA) Starting 1 October 2025, India will require every foreign visitor—including OCI card-holders—to file a digital arrival declaration before they land. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI India) has confirmed that an online Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Form) must be submitted within the 72-hour window before arrival in the country.
Paper arrival cards will remain available for a short transition period—up to six months or until further notice—but the policy intent is clear: digital submission is becoming the default for entry processing. The change applies to all nationalities, all travel purposes, and all ports of entry, covering business, tourism, study, and work trips alike.
Why the change and who it affects
Officials frame this as a practical move to reduce paperwork at airports, speed up queues, and prepare for a fully digital border entry process. The requirement is universal but carries particular meaning for the Indian diaspora and frequent travelers—especially OCI card-holders who travel often or combine their OCI status with student, work, or family moves.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, mandatory online filing will standardize pre-arrival checks and set clearer expectations about what travelers need to prepare before boarding. The biggest behavioral shift is timing: filing at home or on a phone before flying, rather than filling out a paper card onboard or at the airport.
How to submit the e-Arrival Form
The e-Arrival Form can be submitted through authorized platforms, including the Indian Visa Online portal.
Typical steps:
1. Enter basic identity information (name as in passport, nationality, passport number).
2. Enter travel details (date of arrival, purpose of visit).
3. Provide an address in India and contact details.
4. Submit the form and save/print the confirmation.
The BoI recommends keeping a digital or printed copy of the submission confirmation, even if officers don’t always ask to see it. Immigration officers will still rely on the traveler’s original passport and, where relevant, the physical OCI card or registration certificate during inspection.
Practical tip: Save the confirmation on your phone and, if helpful, print a copy to carry during arrival—especially useful for elderly travelers or families with children.
Transition and operational notes
- Physical arrival/disembarkation cards remain available during an initial transition of up to six months. This is a stopgap, not a long-term parallel process.
- Travelers should treat the online submission as routine; the paper option is expected to fade out.
- Filing within the 72-hour window is crucial: too early may be rejected; too late risks delays at the airport.
Officials stress accuracy: the India address and contact number entered should be correct and up to date. If plans change after filing, be ready to explain the change at immigration. The aim is to ensure officers have reliable information for routine contact—not to penalize honest adjustments.
What the form collects
The online form captures straightforward details:
– Full name (as in passport)
– Nationality
– Passport number
– Date of arrival
– Purpose of visit (business, tourism, study, work, etc.)
– Countries visited in the past six days
– India address and contact details
Family submissions: the system can allow multiple family members to be added under one filing; each person receives a separate confirmation.
Benefits for travelers and stakeholders
- Faster entry and shorter queues when digital forms are used
- Fewer manual errors from handwriting or rushed entries
- Clearer planning for students, professionals, and families with tight schedules
- Better alignment with global trends in border digitization
- Streamlined airport operations during peak travel periods
Airlines and airport staff will handle fewer paper cards on flights, ground teams will sort fewer stacks of forms, and immigration counters can move faster when pre-checked data is legible.
Compliance and documents to carry
The e-Arrival Form is a pre-clearance step and does not replace immigration checks or document requirements. Required documents at the counter:
– Original passport (mandatory)
– Physical OCI card or registration certificate (if applicable)
– Valid visa matching the purpose of the trip (for foreign nationals not holding OCI)
Failure to file or late filing may result in delays at the counter—particularly as the paper option diminishes.
Practical pre-trip checklist (recommended)
- Confirm flight schedule and expected arrival time in India.
- Within 72 hours before landing, submit the e-Arrival Form online.
- Save or print the confirmation (QR code or confirmation page).
- Pack your passport and, if applicable, OCI card/registration certificate.
- Double-check the India address and contact details entered on the form.
Consider setting a calendar reminder 48–72 hours before arrival to file the form. For group or family travel, coordinate who completes the form and cross-check entries.
Special considerations
- Multi-leg trips and tight schedules require attention to the 72-hour window.
- Report recent countries visited accurately on the form to reduce questioning.
- If you recently renewed your passport, ensure OCI details are updated and consistent with the travel document you will use.
- If device or connection problems occur during the transition, try another device/network. If all else fails, use the paper card as a temporary backup.
Who should update internal processes
- Universities with international cohorts should include the e-Arrival Form in pre-departure checklists.
- Companies with rotating teams should update travel policies and briefings.
- Travel agents and airlines may add reminders during booking flows or check-in.
Monitoring and updates
Watch for government notices that may refine timing, optional fields, or technical requirements. BoI India may release clarifications as airports calibrate staffing and technology during rollout.
Key policy summary
- Effective date: 1 October 2025
- Who must file: All foreign nationals, including all OCI card-holders
- What to file: Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Form)
- When to file: Within 72 hours before arrival in India
- Transition: Paper arrival cards available for up to six months (or until further notice)
- Documents at the counter: Original passport; OCI card/registration certificate for OCI travelers
- Recommended: Keep a digital or printed copy of the submission confirmation
To file the form within the required window, use the authorized platform here: Indian Visa Online portal (e-Arrival Form). This official link remains the primary resource for pre-arrival submission and government instructions.
Final notes
The e-Arrival Form is part of India’s broader move toward a digital-first border experience. Travelers who adapt quickly—by filing within the 72-hour window, keeping confirmations handy, and arriving with the right documents—will likely benefit most. Expect less paper, shorter lines, and a more consistent process across airports as the transition progresses. For OCI card-holders and all other foreign visitors, this is the new normal: a small digital step before you fly, and a smoother welcome when you land.
This Article in a Nutshell
India will mandate an electronic Arrival Card for all foreign visitors, effective 1 October 2025. The e-Arrival Form must be filed online within 72 hours before arrival through authorized platforms such as the Indian Visa Online portal. Paper arrival cards will remain available for up to six months as a temporary fallback. The requirement covers all nationalities and travel purposes, including OCI card-holders. Travelers should provide accurate passport, travel, and India contact details, save the confirmation, and carry original passport and OCI documentation for immigration. The rule is intended to reduce paperwork, speed up queues, and modernize border procedures.
