India's Paper Disembarkation Card Is Gone for Good, and OCI Holders Now Need the Digital Version Too

Since 1 April 2026, India's paper disembarkation card has been withdrawn entirely, completing a shift that began the previous October: every foreign national and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder flying into the country must now file a digital e-Arrival Card before travelling, a requirement that, until this transition, had not applied to OCI holders. Indian citizens and passengers in airside transit remain exempt.

How it works

The form is filed free of charge on the Bureau of Immigration's official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, within 72 hours before the flight. It takes only a few minutes: passport details, travel dates and, for OCI cardholders, the OCI card number alongside the passport. The system generates a completed card with a QR code at the end, which travellers are advised to download or screenshot immediately, since it may not be easily retrievable later if the browser session is closed.

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Why this affects more than tourists

Because OCI cardholders are now included, the requirement reaches a large population of overseas Indians who previously never needed an arrival form to enter the country, on top of the foreign nationals it already covered. Airlines have been checking for proof of filing at departure gates, so travellers who overlook the step risk delays or difficulty boarding rather than simply a longer immigration queue on landing.

What to check before flying

Details of enforcement, and any penalties applied to airlines or passengers, have varied across secondary reporting, so travellers should rely on the official portal rather than third-party sites, several of which charge unnecessary fees for a form that is free. Confirm the current requirement and any updates directly on indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or through official Indian government or consular channels before departure.

Traveller tips

• File only at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival; the form is free and takes about five minutes.
• Complete it within 72 hours of your flight, not earlier, and download the QR code confirmation as soon as it is issued.
• OCI cardholders should have both their foreign passport number and OCI card number ready before starting the form.
• Indian citizens travelling on an Indian passport, and passengers in airside transit, do not need to file this card.