If you are flying to India as a foreign traveler this month, add a new pre-departure step to your checklist. An electronic Arrival Card is now mandatory and replaces the old paper slip that used to be handed out on board. The move is designed to simplify immigration and speed up queues by capturing clean, legible data before you land.
When to submit. Complete the form within the seventy-two hour window before your flight. You will be asked for passport details, travel dates, flight number, purpose of visit, contact information and your address in India. After submission, download or screenshot the confirmation page with the barcode; you may be asked to show it at check-in and again at immigration.
Where to submit. Use the official online channel or the national arrivals app to avoid look-alike pages that charge a fee for something that should be free. Do not rely on airport Wi-Fi to fill the form on the spot; airlines are expected to check completion at the counter for outbound departures to India.
Who needs it. The requirement applies to foreign nationals entering on visitor, business and other standard categories. Airlines and airport signage will steer you to the e-Arrival lane on arrival. If you hold another status that changes your entry process, follow your specific guidance; for most foreign tourists and business travelers, the e-Arrival Card is now the default.
What this changes at the airport. Queues move faster because officers are reading standardized digital entries rather than deciphering handwriting. You also save time by not fishing for a pen or juggling paper in a tight cabin just before landing. If your itinerary changes in transit, update the form with your new flight number so the barcode matches airline records.
Common mistakes to avoid. Do not mix passport number and travel document numbers. Make sure your local Indian address includes a city and state. If you are on a multi-stop itinerary, list the final inbound flight that actually lands in India. Keep your confirmation accessible even if you have mobile data off; a screenshot works without signal.
Privacy and safety. The e-Arrival platform asks only for standard entry information and holds it for immigration processing. Avoid entering sensitive personal data beyond what the form requires and never submit through third-party “assistance” sites that request payment or extra details.
Bottom line. This is a welcome modernization that aligns India with global arrival processes and should make the first half hour after landing much less stressful. Fill it early, carry the confirmation and sail through.
Follow Travel Moves on Instagram and Facebook for step-by-step form guides, airport walkthroughs and quick updates as more gateways add dedicated e-Arrival lanes.
