Arriving In India Just Got Easier With Delhi Airport’s New E-Arrival Card System

If you’ve ever landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, bleary-eyed from a long flight, only to fumble for a pen to fill out that tiny paper disembarkation card, here’s some good news. The process has finally gone digital. Starting October 1, 2025, foreign visitors arriving in India can now complete their arrival formalities online through the newly launched E-Arrival Card system, a step that promises to make the immigration experience faster, cleaner, and infinitely smoother.

Seamless Entry Ahead

Introduced by GMR Aero-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) in collaboration with the Bureau of Immigration, the new E-Arrival Card facility eliminates the need for physical cards that travellers used to fill out either mid-flight or while standing in queues at immigration counters. Instead, visitors can now enter all the required details, from passport number and travel history to the purpose of visit, through official digital platforms before they even land in India.

The move aligns with the government’s broader Digital India vision and its ongoing push to make air travel in the country more efficient and sustainable. Authorities claim that the shift to an online format will significantly reduce waiting times at immigration counters, particularly during peak travel hours. It will also contribute to environmental goals by reducing paper use, a small but symbolic win for sustainability in aviation.

How It Works

Foreign travellers heading to India can now fill out their arrival details up to three days before landing via official portals such as the Bureau of Immigration website, the Indian Visa platform, or the Indian Visa mobile app “Su-Swagatam.” Delhi Airport’s own website also hosts the form, making it easily accessible to all incoming passengers.

The process is simple—travellers need to provide personal and travel information, including their address in India and countries visited in the past week. No document uploads are required, and once the form is submitted, passengers receive a confirmation email. While a digital copy is enough for inspection, officials recommend keeping a printed version handy, just in case.

The E-Arrival Card applies to all foreign nationals arriving in India for tourism, business, study, conferences, or medical purposes. Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are exempt. Importantly, travellers will still need to apply for a valid visa separately; this new digital card merely replaces the arrival declaration form that was once filled out manually.

Building On Progress

Delhi Airport’s new system follows in the footsteps of similar digital initiatives rolled out at major international hubs across Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia—placing India firmly in line with global best practices in airport management.

The launch also builds on another milestone introduced last year, the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), launched in June 2024. That initiative allows Indian nationals and OCI cardholders to clear immigration faster through dedicated counters using biometric verification. Together, these programmes mark a new phase of tech-enabled efficiency and passenger-first design at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Behind these advancements is GMR Airports Limited (GAL), the company that operates Delhi Airport under its GMR AERO brand. In recent years, GAL has positioned itself as a leader in airport innovation, from smart digital solutions through GMR Innovex to training future aviation professionals via GMR Aero Academy and the GMR School of Aviation. The company’s partnership with Groupe ADP of France, one of the world’s largest airport operators, further strengthens its expertise in delivering sustainable, world-class airport experiences.

The Future Of Arrivals

With the E-Arrival Card now live, travellers flying into Delhi can expect faster clearances and shorter queues, translating into a more relaxed arrival experience. As one of Asia’s key aviation hubs, Delhi Airport continues reimagining how passengers move through its terminals, replacing paperwork and pen-scratching with a few simple taps online.

For millions of international visitors arriving in India each year, this digital leap means one thing above all: the journey begins more seamlessly than ever before.

FAQs

1. What is the E-Arrival Card?
The E-Arrival Card is a digital version of the traditional paper disembarkation card, allowing foreign travellers to submit arrival details online before reaching India.

2. Who needs to fill the E-Arrival Card?
All international visitors, including tourists, business travellers, students, conference attendees, and medical visitors. Indian nationals and OCI cardholders are exempt.

3. How can I submit the E-Arrival Card?
Travellers can fill out the form via the Bureau of Immigration website, Indian Visa portal, the “Su-Swagatam” app, or Delhi Airport’s website up to 72 hours before arrival.

4. Do I need to upload any documents?
No document uploads are required. You only need to provide personal, travel, and recent country-visit information.

5. Is a printed copy required?
A digital copy is sufficient, but carrying a printed version is recommended for easier verification during inspection.