India’s Bureau of Immigration will no longer accept paper arrival cards after March 31, 2026. All travelers — including OCI cardholders — must submit the digital e-Arrival Card. Airlines face fines of Rs 50,000 per non-compliant passenger starting April 1, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- OCI holders ARE required to submit India’s e-Arrival Card — the initial exemption was reversed on October 4, 2025.
- Only Indian citizens traveling on Indian passports remain exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement.
- Paper arrival cards end March 31, 2026 — all travelers must use the digital form from April 1 onward.
- Submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your flight via the Su-Swagatam app or at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival.
- The e-Arrival Card is free and takes 5–10 minutes to complete — no uploads, no biometrics, no fees.
What Changed: OCI Holders Are Now Required
When India’s e-Arrival Card system launched on October 1, 2025, OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders were initially announced as exempt — treated on par with Indian nationals for arrival formalities. That exemption lasted three days.
On October 4, 2025, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) revised the policy: OCI cardholders are required to complete the e-Arrival Card, just like all other foreign nationals. The reversal was confirmed across all arrival points — airports, seaports, and land checkpoints handling international arrivals.
This matters because millions of OCI holders travel to India regularly to visit family, conduct business, study, or seek medical treatment. Many are still operating under the original — now incorrect — understanding that they do not need to fill the form.
| India | China | ROW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Apr 01, 2023 | Apr 01, 2023 | Current |
| EB-2 | Jul 15, 2014 | Sep 01, 2021 | Current |
| EB-3 | Nov 15, 2013 | Jun 15, 2021 | Jun 01, 2024 |
| F-1 | Sep 01, 2017 ▲123d | Sep 01, 2017 ▲123d | Sep 01, 2017 ▲123d |
| F-2A | Aug 01, 2024 ▲182d | Aug 01, 2024 ▲182d | Aug 01, 2024 ▲182d |
What Is India’s e-Arrival Card?
India’s e-Arrival Card is a mandatory digital declaration form that replaced the old paper disembarkation card. The system was introduced to modernize arrival processing at Indian ports of entry, reduce queue times, and improve immigration data accuracy.
The form collects basic biographical and trip information and does not require document uploads, payment, or biometric steps. It is submitted digitally before travel and linked to your passport number, which immigration officers scan on arrival.
The government introduced a six-month transition period (October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026) during which paper arrival cards were still accepted. That transition ends on March 31, 2026.
Who Is Exempt — and Who Is Not
| Traveler Type | e-Arrival Card Required? |
|---|---|
| Indian citizens on Indian passport | ✓ Exempt |
| OCI cardholders (any passport) | ✗ Required |
| Foreign nationals on tourist visa | ✗ Required |
| Business travelers / visa holders | ✗ Required |
| Students, medical travelers, conference attendees | ✗ Required |
| Visa-on-Arrival travelers | ✗ Required |
The March 31, 2026 Deadline: What Happens After
The Bureau of Immigration has confirmed that March 31, 2026 is the final day paper arrival cards will be accepted at any Indian port of entry. From April 1, 2026:
- Paper forms will not be accepted under any circumstances.
- Airlines that board passengers without a valid e-Arrival Card submission face a fine of Rs 50,000 per non-compliant passenger.
- Travelers who arrive without completing the form may face delays at immigration counters.
As a result, airlines have begun enforcing e-Arrival Card checks at check-in and boarding. Travelers who cannot show evidence of submission may be flagged before boarding.
How to Submit the e-Arrival Card: Step-by-Step
There are two official submission channels:
Option 1: Su-Swagatam Mobile App (Recommended)
- Download the Su-Swagatam app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Create an account or log in.
- Select “e-Arrival Card” from the main menu.
- Enter your passport details, flight information, and contact information.
- Enter your address in India (hotel, relative’s address, etc.).
- Review and submit — you will receive a confirmation reference number.
- Save or screenshot the confirmation. Airlines may request it at check-in.
Option 2: Web Portal
- Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival on any browser.
- Click “Fill e-Arrival Card.”
- Complete all required fields (see below).
- Submit and note your confirmation reference number.
What Information Is Required
The e-Arrival Card asks for the following information. Have these details ready before you start:
- Passport number and expiry date
- Full name as it appears on the passport
- Date of birth and nationality
- Flight number and date of arrival
- Port of entry (airport or seaport name)
- Contact phone number and email address
- Purpose of visit (tourism, family visit, business, medical, etc.)
- Address in India (hotel name or full address of where you will stay)
There are no document uploads, no fees, and no biometric steps required. The form typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming you are still exempt: OCI holders are not exempt as of October 4, 2025. Do not skip the form.
- Submitting too early: The form only accepts submissions within the 72-hour window before arrival. If your travel is more than 3 days away, wait.
- Using unofficial third-party websites: Fraudulent websites charge fees for the e-Arrival Card. The official process is free. Only use the Su-Swagatam app or indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival.
- Forgetting your India address: You must provide a specific address in India. “Hotel TBD” is not accepted. Book accommodation before filling the form or use the address of family/friends.
- Passport mismatch: The passport number you enter must exactly match the passport you are traveling on. OCI holders who have changed passports must ensure their OCI card reflects the current passport number.
- Assuming the paper form is still available after March 31: It will not be. Paper cards end April 1, 2026.
For Mixed-Status Families
It is common for families to travel together with different travel documents — one member on an Indian passport, others on OCI cards or foreign visas. Here is what each traveler needs:
- Indian passport holder: No e-Arrival Card needed. Proceed to immigration normally.
- OCI cardholder: e-Arrival Card required. Submit within 72 hours before arrival via app or portal.
- Foreign national on visa: e-Arrival Card required. Same process as OCI holder.
Each traveler submits their own e-Arrival Card individually. There is no family group submission option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. OCI holders are required to complete the e-Arrival Card. The initial exemption announced on October 1, 2025 was reversed on October 4, 2025. OCI holders must submit the form within 72 hours before arriving in India.
No. The e-Arrival Card is completely free. Avoid any website or app that charges a fee — those are unofficial and should not be used. Only use the Su-Swagatam app or the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival.
No. Paper arrival cards will not be accepted at any Indian port of entry from April 1, 2026 onward. All travelers must use the digital e-Arrival Card. Airlines face Rs 50,000 fines per non-compliant passenger starting April 1.
Submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in India. If you submit earlier, the system will not accept the entry. You can complete it right up until departure, but doing it 24–48 hours before travel is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues.
OCI holders should carry: (1) the foreign passport with the same number listed on the OCI card, (2) the physical OCI card, and (3) confirmation of their completed e-Arrival Card submission. If you changed passports since your OCI was issued, ensure your OCI has been re-linked to your current passport where required by age-based rules.
The e-Arrival Card is linked to your arrival date and passport number, not a specific flight time. Minor delays should not cause problems. For significant delays that change your arrival date, it is advisable to contact the airline and check whether a new submission is required. Immigration officers have discretion in handling operational disruptions.
Each traveler’s e-Arrival Card must be completed individually using their own passport details. However, one person can complete the submissions for multiple family members using the app or web portal — you will need each traveler’s passport, flight, and India address information on hand.
Yes, increasingly so. With Rs 50,000 fines per passenger coming into effect on April 1, 2026, airlines have strong financial incentive to verify compliance at check-in and boarding. Travelers who cannot show confirmation of submission may face delays or denial of boarding. Complete the form before heading to the airport.
Quick Checklist for OCI Holders Traveling to India
- ☐ Book accommodation and note the address (needed for the form)
- ☐ Have your flight details confirmed (flight number, arrival date, port of entry)
- ☐ Within 72 hours before arrival: open Su-Swagatam app or visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
- ☐ Complete the e-Arrival Card with passport details, flight info, contact info, and India address
- ☐ Save or screenshot the confirmation reference number
- ☐ Pack your passport (same number as on OCI card) and your physical OCI card
- ☐ Show e-Arrival Card confirmation if asked at check-in or boarding
- ☐ At immigration: present passport and OCI card as usual
OCI cardholders traveling to India are required to complete the digital e-Arrival Card — the initial exemption announced at launch was reversed on October 4, 2025. Only Indian citizens traveling on Indian passports remain exempt. The six-month transition period allowing paper arrival cards ends on March 31, 2026, after which all travelers must use the digital form. Submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of arrival via the free Su-Swagatam app or the portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. — VisaVerge.com
- OCI (Overseas Citizen of India)
- A lifelong residence and travel status granted to eligible former Indian citizens and their descendants, offering immigration privileges close to those of Indian nationals — but not identical after the October 2025 e-Arrival Card requirement change.
- e-Arrival Card
- India’s mandatory digital arrival declaration form replacing the old paper disembarkation card. Required for all foreign nationals and OCI holders; submitted within 72 hours before arrival at no cost.
- Su-Swagatam
- The official Indian government mobile app for submitting the e-Arrival Card, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. The primary recommended channel for submission.
- Bureau of Immigration (India)
- India’s government agency responsible for immigration policy and enforcement. Official source for e-Arrival Card policy updates at boi.gov.in.
- Paper Disembarkation Card
- The physical arrival form previously distributed on flights to India. Accepted during the transition period through March 31, 2026; discontinued from April 1, 2026.
OCI card holders are not exempt from filling out the e-arrival card. Information posted on the BOI site and also in the Indian Consulate sites.
Thank you, Initially when the e-Arrival Card was introduced on October 1, 2025, OCI holders were exempt. However, on October 4, 2025, the government changed the regulation, and as of October 7, 2025, OCI cardholders are now required to submit an e-Arrival Card and are no longer exempt from this requirement. We added updated info on top of our article. Thank you for correcting us.