Are you visiting India? The e-Arrival Card will be required starting in April 2026.
In April 2026, India's e-Arrival Card will be required at Delhi Airport. This article explains the new digital entry process, the necessary paperwork, and how travelers can apply.
India is subtly altering how visitors enter the nation. As of October 1, 2025, travelers can now submit a digital arrival form prior to landing, taking the place of the well-known paper cards that are distributed on flights.
The e-Arrival Card system is a component of India's strategy to streamline and expedite airport operations. Travelers can now finish the process online ahead of time rather than after landing.
Additionally, a significant deadline is drawing near.
Paper arrival cards will only be allowed through March 31, 2026, according to Delhi Airport. International visitors to the capital will only have access to the digital version starting on April 1, 2026.
It is anticipated that more Indian airports will follow.
What is the e-Arrival Card for India?
Before entering India, visitors must fill out an online form called the e-Arrival Card. It gathers the fundamental travel and identity data that immigration authorities often ask for on paper.
The digital system seeks to:
Cut down on immigration wait times
reduce airport paperwork, enhance passenger throughput during peak travel times, and assist India's broader transition to digital travel procedures
The Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app for iOS and Android or the official government website are the two ways to access the form.
The e-Arrival Card does not replace a visa or an e-Visa. Travelers must still meet the standard admission requirements.
When Should You Submit the Form?
Travellers can complete the form up to four days before their arrival in India. Timing is important.
Submitted more than 72 hours before arrival: no QR code required at immigration.
Submitted within 72 hours of arrival: passengers must present the QR code produced upon submission.
The system is free to use.
Delhi Airport Sets Deadline for Paper Arrival Cards.
Delhi International Airport said on March 21 that paper arrival cards will be available until March 31, 2026.
Beginning April 1, 2026, passengers arriving in Delhi must complete the digital form.
When the e-Arrival Card was introduced in October 2025, authorities provided a transition period for airlines and passengers to adjust. That transformation is now over.
While Delhi is the first airport to confirm the change, similar announcements are expected at other Indian airports shortly.
Travelers coming to India later in 2026 should expect an entirely computerized arrival process.
How to Apply for India's E-Arrival Card
The process is straightforward and just takes a few minutes.
Step-by-step procedure
Visit the official website indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or download the Indian visa. Su-Swagatam App
Enter passport information.
Provide flight and travel details.
Submit the form within four days before arrival.
Save the confirmation or QR code, if generated.
Travelers should have a digital copy on their phones.
Documents Required
You only need basic travel information:
Valid passport
Flight Information
Travel itinerary
Contact information
Visa or e-Visa details, where appropriate
No additional documentation is required.
Fees
The e-Arrival Card is absolutely free. Travelers should only use the official government website or app to avoid third-party fees.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
India's transition to digital arrival forms reflects a broader global trend. Many countries are replacing paper forms in order to speed up border procedures and enhance data accuracy.
For passengers, this means one fewer form to fill out on the plane and possibly shorter lines after landing.
If you are considering a journey to India in 2026, filling out the e-Arrival Card before departure will soon become a common activity, similar to online check-in.
The main lesson is straightforward: paper arrival cards are on their way out, beginning with Delhi. Filling out the digital form ahead of time will help your arrival go more smoothly and stress-free.
