The Government of India has announced the implementation of a new mandatory e-Arrival Card for all foreign nationals travelling to India. This new system applies to travellers entering the country on various visa categories including e-Visa, sticker visas (non-OCI), as well as business, employment, tourism, study, medical, and conference visas.
Under this requirement, travellers must complete and submit the e-Arrival Card online within seventy-two hours before their arrival in India. The e-Arrival form is available on the official Government of India website at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ and can also be accessed through the official ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’ mobile application. This digital initiative has been introduced to streamline immigration procedures, reduce paperwork, and ensure faster processing at airports by receiving traveller information electronically in advance.
The Government of India has clarified that Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are fully exempt from submitting the e-Arrival Card. This exemption brings considerable relief to the large number of OCI cardholders who frequently travel between India and other countries. Community spokesperson Satpal Singh Johal welcomed the clarification, noting that it simplifies travel procedures for OCI cardholders. “The Government’s clarification has brought great relief to OCI cardholders. This step removes unnecessary paperwork for those who already hold Overseas Citizen status and travel frequently,” he said.
The e-Arrival Card, however, remains mandatory for all other foreign nationals travelling to India. Authorities have advised travellers to complete the form well in advance of their departure to avoid delays or administrative complications upon arrival at Indian airports. Those who fail to submit the e-Arrival Card prior to their journey may face unnecessary delays during the immigration process.
Travellers can fill out the e-Arrival Card by visiting the official government website and providing their personal and travel information, which must be submitted no earlier than seventy-two hours before arrival. A confirmation page should be saved or printed for reference, as it may be requested at the airport. Alternatively, travellers may complete the process using the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Community organizations across Canada are encouraging all travellers to familiarize themselves with this new requirement, especially those travelling on tourist or business visas. By completing the form in advance, travellers can ensure a smooth entry into India and avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
For further information or updates, travellers are advised to consult the official Government of India portal or contact their nearest Indian consulate.