Flying into India will soon become smoother and faster for foreign visitors.
Starting October 1, 2025, the Government of India will phase out paper disembarkation cards, replacing them with digital e-Arrival Cards that can be filled online before arrival, reported the Times of India.
The move, part of India’s broader effort to digitise immigration and improve airport efficiency, is expected to significantly reduce queues and waiting times at immigration counters.
Seamless Entry, Less Paperwork
Foreign nationals arriving in India – whether for tourism, business, work, study, or medical purposes – will now complete an e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before travel through the official Indian Visa Online portal or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app.
The card will collect essential details such as: passport number, nationality, purpose of visit, address in India, contact information and emergency contact details.
No document uploads are required, and a confirmation receipt will be generated for travellers to keep a digital or printed copy.
Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders remain exempt from this requirement.
A six-month transition period will be observed, during which both paper and digital versions will be accepted. However, authorities encourage travellers to switch to the online form for a faster, queue-free experience.
Tech-Led Immigration: Trusted Traveller Programme Expands
The launch of the e-Arrival Card complements India’s growing suite of smart border management tools.
Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at five new airports – Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode, and Amritsar – expanding the facility to 13 airports nationwide.
Initially launched in 2024 at Delhi, the programme now covers all major hubs including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. Upcoming Navi Mumbai and Greater Noida airports will also feature it.
The FTI-TTP allows Indian citizens and OCI cardholders to undergo biometric-based clearance in under 30 seconds, bypassing manual checks. According to government data, over 300,000 travellers have registered so far, with 265,000 already benefiting from the expedited process.
Why the Shift Matters
The elimination of physical forms is part of India’s broader digital transformation agenda, reported the Economic Times. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) aims to:
Reduce congestion at immigration counters
Streamline traveller data through integration with the national Immigration Management System
Enable real-time tracking and risk profiling
Improve security, accuracy, and traveller experience
Similar digital immigration systems are already operational in countries like the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia. India’s rollout aligns with this global trend, placing the country among modern border control leaders in Asia.
How to Complete the e-Arrival Card
Step-by-step process:
Visit the official portal – indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Enter required details – personal, travel, and contact information
Submit up to 72 hours before arrival
Save the confirmation – digital or printed
Present at immigration – if requested; officers will access records digitally
The portal is currently in beta testing, and authorities are fine-tuning the interface before full rollout. Travellers are advised to familiarise themselves with the platform ahead of their journey.
Policy Significance
Officials say the digital arrival system represents a major milestone in India’s border modernisation strategy, aligning with the Digital India and Ease of Travel initiatives. It will not only enhance the passenger experience but also strengthen national security and data management.
An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs noted: “Digitising the arrival process removes manual errors, cuts waiting times, and improves security. With this move, India joins global leaders in tech-enabled immigration.”
Experts believe the new system could also support data-driven policymaking, as real-time analytics will help track visitor trends, purposes of travel, and peak arrival times, aiding infrastructure and tourism planning.
Transition and Future Plans
During the six-month transition phase, paper disembarkation cards will remain available, especially for travellers unfamiliar with digital systems. However, once fully implemented, e-Arrival Cards will be the default mode.
The system will later integrate with India’s e-Visa platform, streamlining data entry and eliminating duplicate submissions.
Authorities are also exploring future enhancements, including: biometric verification, cross-database checks for identity validation, integration with airline check-in systems and multilingual support for user convenience.
Frequent travellers and industry experts have welcomed the move. Travel consultant Ravi Desai said: “Long immigration queues have been a major concern at Indian airports. This digital shift is a game changer – reducing paperwork, saving time, and aligning India with international best practices.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also advocated for advance passenger information systems to speed up border checks worldwide. India’s e-Arrival initiative is consistent with these recommendations.
