Digital Disembarkation Card for Foreign Nationals: 72-hour Submission

(INDIA) India has moved its Disembarkation Card to a digital/online format for all foreign nationals, changing what travelers must do before India arrival. As of October 1, 2025, the government introduced an electronic Disembarkation Card, also called the e-Arrival Card, and set a clear rule: complete and submit it before you land. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders were initially out of scope, but that changed quickly; from October 7, 2025, OCI travelers must also file the same form. Authorities say the shift will speed up entry at airports and cut errors tied to paper forms, while giving border officers cleaner, faster data.

The government’s timeline and requirements are straightforward. The e-Arrival Card must be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. Officials have opened a brief transition window: the traditional paper card will continue for “up to six months or until further notice,” but the clear push is toward the digital version. To file online, travelers should use the official e-Arrival portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or use the “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” mobile app. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, early adoption trends suggest most passengers will switch quickly once airlines and tour operators promote the change during booking and check-in.

Policy changes overview

The new policy covers nearly every visitor category. All foreign nationals—tourists, students, business travelers, medical visitors, and conference attendees—must submit the Disembarkation Card in the digital/online format before India arrival. OCI cardholders are now included as of October 7, 2025, aligning them with the same pre-arrival step required of other foreign nationals. This is a notable shift for the large OCI community who often travel to see family, manage property, or attend long-planned events.

The e-Arrival Card gathers familiar data that used to sit on paper forms:

• Passport and visa details
• Travel dates and flight number
• Reason for travel
• An address in India (hotel or host)
• Contact information
• An emergency contact

The online form prompts users to enter information in a set order and flags missing fields. That structure reduces common errors like unreadable handwriting, skipped boxes, or mismatched dates. Once submitted, travelers receive a confirmation—many will see a reference number or QR-style acknowledgment they can save on their phone. Immigration officers can pull up the record in their system when the traveler reaches the counter.

Benefits the government highlights

• Faster processing at the counter: Records are pre-checked and easier to read, trimming the time per passenger.
• Less paperwork in-flight: Travelers can focus on rest or arrival steps rather than filling out forms on a cramped tray table.
• Fewer mistakes: Typed entries reduce guesswork and corrections at the desk.
• Better data quality for the government: Cleaner entries support border security and public health monitoring without extra questions at the booth.

The government is phasing in the change rather than flipping a switch overnight. For the next six months, passengers can still complete a paper card if needed, though airport signs and airline agents are expected to recommend the e-Arrival route. This approach helps older travelers, people with limited internet access, and those who face last-minute itinerary changes. Still, the message is clear: switch now to avoid delays.

Impact on travelers and airports

For travelers, the biggest shift is timing. The Disembarkation Card used to be a last-minute task done during the flight or after landing. Now, it becomes a pre-departure checklist item—similar to completing an e-visa application or updating an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) record.

To avoid stress, passengers should add the e-Arrival Card to their trip planning and submit it as soon as their flight and stay details are firm, and no later than the 72-hour window.

Practical step-by-step approach

1. Gather details
   • Passport, visa information
   • Flight number and arrival date
   • Indian address (hotel or host) and phone number
   • Emergency contact
2. Complete the form
   • Use the official e-Arrival page at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or the “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” app.
   • Fill in all fields carefully using the exact name and date of birth shown on your passport.
3. Submit up to 72 hours before arrival
   • Don’t wait until the last minute in case of a spotty connection or a typo you need to fix.
4. Save your proof
   • Keep the confirmation or QR acknowledgment on your phone and as a screenshot.
   • If possible, carry a printout.

Airports are likely to adjust queues, with signs clearly separating passengers who have completed the e-Arrival Card and those who still need help. Expect airline check-in agents to remind customers about the requirement, much like they do with health forms or transit declarations. Families with kids, student groups, and escorted tour groups may benefit the most from doing the form together before travel; it reduces the risk that one person in the party holds up the line.

For travelers without reliable internet

The temporary paper fallback matters. During the six-month transition, paper Disembarkation Cards remain available. However, relying on the paper version may mean longer time at the counter and a greater chance of mistakes.

If you prefer the paper route:

• Write clearly and match passport details exactly.
• Keep the form flat and clean to avoid redoing it at arrival.

OCI travelers and last-minute changes

The new rule reshapes planning for OCIs. Many OCI holders make frequent trips to India for family, business, or ceremonies. Adding the e-Arrival Card to their routine can prevent last-minute surprises at the border.

• If an OCI traveler changes flights within the 72-hour window, revisit and resubmit the form to ensure arrival date and flight number match.
• Save the newest confirmation each time you resubmit.

Airport operations and public health

From the airport side, immigration counters should see a steadier flow, especially during peak hours when multiple wide-body flights land together. Officers will spend less time deciphering handwriting and more time confirming entries, which should cut bottlenecks at major gateways like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

There’s also a public health argument: digital intake helps authorities identify patterns faster if a health advisory arises. Clean, structured data can support targeted messages without broadly delaying travelers who pose no risk. While this is not a health form, better contact and travel details can be useful during high-travel seasons.

Important dates and quick reminders

• e-Arrival Card rollout: October 1, 2025 (foreign nationals)
• OCI inclusion: October 7, 2025
• Completion window: Up to 72 hours before arrival
• Paper fallback: Available for up to six months or until further notice

If you arrived before those rollout dates, your process followed the older rules. If you’re arriving now or planning a near-term trip, assume the digital/online card applies to you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a nickname instead of the passport name
• Typing the wrong passport number or expiry date
• Mixing up arrival and departure dates
• Leaving the India address blank or entering an address that doesn’t match your booking
• Forgetting to press submit and assuming a draft is enough

If you don’t receive confirmation, revisit the portal and look for any flagged fields. When in doubt at the airport, show your saved acknowledgment and be ready to provide your passport and visa. Officers can access the system and locate your entry if you filled it out correctly.

VisaVerge.com reports that travelers who prepare the e-Arrival Card alongside their visa application, flight booking, and hotel confirmation are less likely to run into issues. Tour companies and education agents advising new students can help clients complete the card as part of their pre-departure counseling. Business travelers should ask their corporate travel teams to add the step to standard trip checklists.

Handling edge cases

Questions remain about edge cases during the transition:

• If you complete the online form but change flights due to weather, resubmit with updated details if time allows.
• If the app crashes or you run into technical issues, use the paper fallback during the six-month window or seek help from airline/airport staff.
• If you reach the counter with mismatched data, inform the officer what changed—staff can view digital records and guide you.

Parents traveling with children should complete a form for each traveler unless the system provides a linked family option. Carry passports and confirmations together. If a child’s details differ (for example, a different last name), double-check entries to avoid confusion at the desk.

Final clarifications

Do not confuse the e-Arrival Card with a visa or visa-on-arrival. The Disembarkation Card is a separate arrival form that sits alongside existing visa rules. You must still hold the correct visa or be eligible for an e-Visa under India’s program. The e-Arrival Card does not replace a visa; it supports the border entry process once you arrive.

For the official digital Disembarkation Card and pre-arrival filing, use the government’s e-Arrival portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. The site lists the required fields and provides the submission flow. Keep the 72-hour timing in mind, and use the “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” app if you prefer to file by phone. During the next six months, paper remains a backup, but the government’s direction is clear: complete the e-Arrival Card online to make India arrival smoother for you and everyone in line behind you.

Key takeaway: Complete and submit the e-Arrival Card online up to 72 hours before arrival (use indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or the app) to speed up entry and avoid delays.