India e-Arrival card (2026): who must fill it in, when and where
According to the Bureau of Immigration and India’s official visa website, checked on 31 October 2026, foreigners and OCI cardholders must complete the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before they arrive in India, at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or in the official “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” app; it is arrival information, not a visa.
Use only the official site, indianvisaonline.gov.in, or the official app. Do not pay an unofficial site to fill it in for you: the Government of India says it does not authorise agents to charge fees for the e-Arrival card. We are not the government.
Who and when
Foreign Nationals and OCI/eOCI cardholders must complete and submit the eArrival Card (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/).
Foreigners and OCI Card holders can complete and submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India at boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in or via official 'Indian Visa Su-Swagatam' Mobile App.
Source: Indian Visa Online (home page) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Foreigner must complete and submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app.
Source: Bureau of Immigration: General Guidelines (travelling to India) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
One sentence on India’s visa website says “can complete”, the other and the Bureau of Immigration say “must complete”. The official pages we read speak of foreigners and OCI cardholders and do not mention Indian passport holders.
It is not a visa
This is for arrival information, not a visa.
Source: Indian Visa Online (home page) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Grant of an Indian Visa/Visa Free Regime does not confer the right of entry which is subjected to the discretion of Immigration Authorities.
Source: Bureau of Immigration: General Guidelines (travelling to India) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
You still need an e-Visa, another Indian visa or an OCI card, unless you are a citizen of Nepal, Bhutan or the Maldives (visa-free entry, according to the Bureau of Immigration). India e-Visa fee by nationality · visa on arrival
Is there a fee?
None of the official pages we read mentions a fee for the e-Arrival card, and the Government of India says it does not authorise agents to charge for it:
The Government of India does not authorize any agent or intermediaries to charge fees for emergency, express visa, eVisas and eArrival card.
Source: Indian Visa Online (home page) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
The Air Suvidha self-declaration form
All Passengers must also fill the Self-Declaration Form (https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/) before reaching the Arrival Immigration Counters
Source: Indian Visa Online (home page) (Bureau of Immigration, Government of India), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Questions
Who needs to fill in the India e-Arrival card?
Foreigners and OCI cardholders. India’s official visa website says: “Foreign Nationals and OCI/eOCI cardholders must complete and submit the eArrival Card (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/).”
When should I fill in the India e-Arrival card?
In the 72 hours before you arrive. The Bureau of Immigration says: “Foreigner must complete and submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app.”
Do OCI cardholders need the e-Arrival card?
Yes. India’s official visa website says: “Foreign Nationals and OCI/eOCI cardholders must complete and submit the eArrival Card (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/).”
Do Indian citizens need the e-Arrival card?
The official pages we read speak only of foreigners and OCI cardholders and do not mention Indian passport holders: “Foreigners and OCI Card holders can complete and submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India at boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in or via official 'Indian Visa Su-Swagatam' Mobile App.” If you travel on an Indian passport, check with your airline or the Bureau of Immigration.
Is the e-Arrival card the same as the e-Visa?
No. India’s official visa website says of the e-Arrival card: “This is for arrival information, not a visa.” You still need your e-Visa (or another visa or OCI card) to enter India.
What is the official e-Arrival card website, and is there an app?
The form is at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. India’s official visa website says: “Foreigners and OCI Card holders can complete and submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India at boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in or via official 'Indian Visa Su-Swagatam' Mobile App.”
Do I also need the Air Suvidha form?
India’s official visa website says: “All Passengers must also fill the Self-Declaration Form (https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/) before reaching the Arrival Immigration Counters”
This page is information, not legal advice. Immigration officers at the border decide. Spotted a change? Tell us.