What you need

India E-Arrival Card Requirements

Everything you need to have ready before you start the India E-Arrival Card application.

Disclaimer: india-arrivalcard.com is an independent information resource. Not affiliated with the Government of India, the Bureau of Immigration India, or any official government body. Always verify current requirements at indianboi.gov.in before travel.

Who must apply

Is the E-Arrival Card required for you?

The Bureau of Immigration India makes the form mandatory for almost all international arrivals by air.

Must submit the form

REQUIREDForeign tourists arriving on an e-Visa or regular visa
REQUIREDBusiness travelers attending meetings or conferences
REQUIREDInternational students arriving for their studies
REQUIREDOverseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders — every trip
REQUIREDTransit passengers leaving the airport transit area

Exempt from the form

EXEMPTIndian passport holders (citizens of India)
EXEMPTTransit passengers remaining inside the international transit zone
Required Documents

Have these ready before you begin.

Gather all items before opening the form. Timing out mid-application means starting over.
📘

Passport

Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival. Check your full name exactly as printed, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.

🛂

Indian visa or OCI card

You must enter your approved Indian visa number or your exact OCI card number directly into the form.

✈️

Flight booking confirmation

Your operating carrier flight number (not codeshare), departure airport IATA code, arrival airport IATA code, and scheduled arrival date and time.

🏨

Accommodation in India

Full address of your first night's stay — hotel name, street, city, state, and PIN code. For multi-city trips, only the first destination is required.

📞

Emergency contact

Name and phone number of a trusted contact person. A contact from your home country is accepted.

🏥

Health declaration

The form asks simple yes/no questions about current health symptoms. No medical documents need to be uploaded.

Passport validity

The 6-month rule.

The Bureau of Immigration India strictly enforces passport validity requirements at the border.

Your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date in India. Some nationalities hold bilateral agreements that slightly alter this rule — always check your home country's specific travel advisories before you fly.

If your passport expires during your visit, immigration officials will likely deny your entry at the border. Renew your passport before applying for your arrival card to avoid any boarding denials or immigration issues.

OCI cardholders

Special rules for OCI holders.

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) holders must complete the exact same arrival card as all other foreign nationals. The government does not exempt OCI status from this mandatory digital form.

When filling the form, you simply provide your OCI card number instead of a standard visa number. You do not need a separate visa to enter the country, but the arrival card remains a strict requirement for every single trip.

See step-by-step application guide
Ready to apply?

Have Everything Ready? Start Now.

Takes around 10 minutes. Free to fill. Submit within 72 hours of your arrival in India.

Start My Application
Zivara Sen
Zivara Sen
Indian Visa & Immigration Expert · Bureau of Immigration India procedures