From 1 October 2025, India is replacing the paper disembarkation (arrival) card with a digital e-Arrival Card you complete online before your flight. The change is aimed at cutting queues and speeding up immigration at Indian airports.

What’s changing?

• Paper arrival cards are being phased out. Foreign nationals arriving by air can submit their arrival information online instead of filling out the paper form at the counter. Government and national media reports say this will streamline immigration and reduce wait times.
• Start date: 1 October 2025.
• Who it applies to: Foreign travellers entering India for tourism, business, study, work, etc. (Indian citizens and OCIs are not the target users of the arrival card; they have separate programmes like Fast Track/Trusted Traveller.)
• Where to do it: India’s official e-Arrival Card portal (currently live) is hosted under the government visa domain. India Visa Online

How to fill India’s e-Arrival Card (step-by-step)

1. Go to the official e-Arrival portal before your flight. (The site is operated under the Government of India’s indianvisaonline.gov.in domain.).
2. Enter passport details and basic personal information.
3. Add your flight number, date, port of arrival, and stay address in India.
4. Submit the form and keep a copy (screenshot or PDF) handy on your phone in case an officer asks to view it.
5. On arrival, proceed to Immigration – Foreign Nationals; the system should already have your declaration, which helps speed up processing.

Tip: Complete the e-Arrival Card before you board; some airports may provide QR codes near check-in, but doing it earlier is safer.

Key things travellers should know

• Faster lanes, fewer forms: Authorities say digitisation will reduce delays at immigration counters nationwide.
• This is not a visa. You still need a valid Indian visa (or e-Visa) as applicable to your nationality. The e-Arrival Card is a separate entry declaration. e-arrivalcard.go.kr
• Transition period: Reporting indicates paper cards are being scrapped and replaced by the online form; expect a short bedding-in period as airports switch systems.
• Part of wider reforms: The rollout aligns with India’s 2025 immigration modernisation push (new Immigration & Foreigners Act and digitised border controls).

FAQ

Do I still need to carry a paper arrival card?
From 1 Oct 2025 the process moves online; outlets report paper cards are no longer required for foreigners, replaced by the e-Arrival submission. If your airline hands one out during the transition, follow crew or immigration officer instructions.

Where is the official form?
On the Government of India’s e-Arrival page under indianvisaonline.gov.in (the same domain family as India’s official e-Visa system). Avoid third-party “arrival card” websites that charge fees.

Does this replace the e-Visa?
No. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration. You still must obtain the right visa (e.g., e-Visa) before travel if your nationality requires it. e-arrivalcard.go.kr

Will this speed up immigration for everyone?
That’s the goal. Media and ministry briefings say digitisation should shorten queues and streamline checks at major airports.

Is there a fee?
Government communications and national coverage do not mention any fee for the e-Arrival Card. If a site tries to charge you, it’s likely not official.

Sources: Times of India / Economic Times / Business Standard