India's New E-Arrival Card Mandatory for Foreign Visitors from October 2025
Starting October 1, 2025, all foreign nationals visiting India will be required to complete an e-Arrival Card online within five days of their arrival. This digital initiative aims to streamline immigration processes, reduce paperwork, and cut waiting times at counters. The e-Arrival Card, currently in beta testing, will integrate with India's e-Visa platform. It requires personal, travel, and contact details similar to the old paper version. Upon submission, travelers will receive a digital preview of their e-Arrival Card. This move aligns India with other countries that have gone paperless for similar processes. Papua New Guinea is set to launch a similar digital system soon. The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign nationals, regardless of visa type. Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are exempt from this requirement. The specific government agency overseeing this initiative is not explicitly detailed but is typically managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Civil Aviation. From October 1, 2025, the e-Arrival Card will be fully implemented, aiming to ease congestion and improve efficiency at Indian immigration counters. Foreign nationals are advised to complete the digital form within five days of their arrival to avoid any inconvenience.
