The India e-Arrival Card is completely free — no fees, no credit card, no payment of any kind. The official Indian government website describes it as a “free of cost service of Indian Immigration.” Always apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ to avoid unofficial sites that charge for assistance.
Is the India e-Arrival Card Free?
Yes — the India e-Arrival Card is 100% free. There is no processing fee, no government charge, and no service fee of any kind associated with the India e-Arrival Card.
The official Indian Visa Online portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ explicitly describes the India e-Arrival Card as a “free of cost service of Indian Immigration.” This is not a temporary waiver or a promotional offer — the India e-Arrival Card is a free government service and will remain so.
To be completely clear:
– ✅ India e-Arrival Card application: FREE (₹0 / $0 / £0 / €0)
– ✅ Official website (indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/): FREE
– ✅ Su-Swagatam mobile app: FREE (free to download and use)
– ✅ Bureau of Immigration portal (boi.gov.in): FREE
– ❌ No credit card required
– ❌ No bank transfer or payment portal
– ❌ No service charge or administration fee
The India e-Arrival Card has been free since its launch on October 1, 2025, and remains free as of 2026.
Why Is the India e-Arrival Card Free?
The India e-Arrival Card is a free government service administered by India’s Bureau of Immigration — provided at no cost as part of India’s digital border management modernization programme.
The India e-Arrival Card is operated by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) under India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. It was introduced as part of the IVFRT 3.0 (Indian Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking) programme — India’s broader digital modernization of immigration processing.
The rationale for providing it free of charge is clear: the India e-Arrival Card replaced the paper disembarkation card that travelers previously filled out for free during their flight or at the airport. The government’s goal is to maximize compliance and reduce airport delays — charging a fee would create a barrier to adoption.
The Bureau of Immigration benefits directly from the India e-Arrival Card data, which feeds into India’s Immigration Management Systems for real-time tracking of foreign arrivals. This provides India’s immigration authorities with a strong incentive to make the service free and accessible to all travelers.
Where to Apply for Free — Official India e-Arrival Card Platforms
Apply for the free India e-Arrival Card only through the three official government platforms — all of which are completely free with no charges.
Official Platform 1: Indian Visa Online Portal (Recommended)
URL: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
Description: The primary official portal for the India e-Arrival Card, operated by the Bureau of Immigration
Cost: Free
Works on: Any browser, desktop or mobile
Official Platform 2: Bureau of Immigration Portal
URL: boi.gov.in
Description: The Bureau of Immigration’s own portal, also supporting India e-Arrival Card submissions
Cost: Free
Official Platform 3: Indian Visa Su-Swagatam App
Name: Indian Visa Su-Swagatam
Available: Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android)
Cost: Free to download; Free to use
Note: The app itself costs nothing on either app store platform
All three options produce exactly the same valid QR code confirmation. There is no premium tier, no paid express service, and no “faster processing” for a fee through any official channel.
Warning: Third-Party Websites That Charge Fees for India e-Arrival Card
Beware of unofficial third-party websites that charge travelers a fee to “help” submit the India e-Arrival Card — these services are unnecessary, expensive, and exploit travelers who don’t know the official process is free.
Since the India e-Arrival Card became mandatory in October 2025, a number of unofficial third-party services have appeared, often appearing in search results and charging anywhere from $10 to $50 or more to “assist” travelers in completing the India e-Arrival Card form.
Warning signs of an unofficial India e-Arrival Card site:
– The URL is NOT indianvisaonline.gov.in or boi.gov.in
– The site asks for a credit card or PayPal payment
– It offers “expedited processing,” “premium service,” or “guaranteed approval”
– It appears as a paid/sponsored ad in search results
– The domain ends in .com, .net, or .org instead of .gov.in
Why these sites are a problem:
1. You pay money for a service that is available for free on the official portal
2. You may share your passport details with an unauthorized third party
3. The form they complete on your behalf is the same form you could fill yourself in 5–10 minutes
Safe practices:
– Bookmark the official URL: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
– Always verify the URL bar shows the official domain before entering passport details
– If a website asks for payment for the India e-Arrival Card, leave the page immediately
– The official India e-Arrival Card service is ALWAYS free — there are no official paid tiers
India e-Arrival Card vs India e-Visa: Cost Comparison
The India e-Arrival Card is free; the India e-Visa has fees that vary by visa type and nationality — they are two completely separate requirements, and most travelers need both.
| India e-Arrival Card | India e-Visa (Tourist) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (₹0 / $0 / £0) | Paid (varies: approx. $25–$80 USD) |
| Who must apply | All non-Indian passport holders + OCI | Eligible nationalities only |
| Purpose | Arrival declaration | Permission to enter India |
| Where to apply | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ | indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ |
| Processing time | Instant (5–10 min) | 3–5 business days typically |
| Both required? | ✓ Yes — both needed for most travelers | ✓ Yes — both needed for most travelers |
Key distinction: Paying for an India e-Visa does NOT exempt you from submitting the free India e-Arrival Card. These are separate processes. Most international visitors to India need to complete both — pay for the e-Visa and then (separately, within 72 hours of arrival) complete the free e-Arrival Card.
If you only have a visa but haven’t submitted your India e-Arrival Card, you may face delays at immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the India e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. The India e-Arrival Card is completely free of charge. The official portal describes it as a “free of cost service of Indian Immigration.” No payment, credit card, or processing fee is required.
Do I have to pay for an India Arrival Card?
No. The India e-Arrival Card has no fee. You should never pay any amount to apply for the India e-Arrival Card. If a website asks for payment, it is an unofficial third-party service — use the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ instead.
Are there any hidden fees for the India e-Arrival Card?
No hidden fees exist on official platforms. The India e-Arrival Card is free through indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/, boi.gov.in, and the Su-Swagatam app. All three are completely free with no charges.
Why are some websites charging for the India e-Arrival Card?
These are unofficial third-party services that charge for form-filling assistance. They are not affiliated with the Indian government. Since the official process is free and takes 5–10 minutes, these services are unnecessary. Always use the official government portal.
Is the Su-Swagatam app free?
Yes. The Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app is free to download on iOS and Android, and free to use for India e-Arrival Card submissions.
What is the cost of the India e-Visa compared to the e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card is free. The India e-Visa has fees that vary by visa type and nationality (typically $25–$80 USD for tourist visas). Both are separate requirements — paying for an e-Visa does not exempt you from also submitting the free India e-Arrival Card.
