If the India e-Arrival Card website is not working, use the Su-Swagatam mobile app as an immediate alternative, or try the Bureau of Immigration portal at boi.gov.in. Both are official alternatives that produce the same valid QR code confirmation.
India e-Arrival Card Website Not Working: Common Issues
The India e-Arrival Card website at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ is generally reliable, but travelers occasionally experience issues — especially during peak travel periods. These are the most common problems and their causes.
Common issues travelers report:
- Website not loading — server overload during peak travel periods; maintenance windows
- Page timeout errors — slow connection or high server load
- Form submission errors — incorrect data entry or connection loss during submission
- QR code not displaying — browser compatibility issue or slow internet
- Quick Fill not working — passport data not found or different passport issued since last visit
- Session timeout — form session expired if left idle too long
Why issues happen:
– The India e-Arrival Card system handles millions of submissions, especially around major holidays and peak tourist seasons
– As of April 2026, all travelers must use the digital form (no paper backup) — demand is at its highest
– Server maintenance may cause brief outages, usually during overnight India Standard Time (IST) hours
The official URL to try: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
Quick Fixes: Solutions When the India e-Arrival Card Website Is Down
When the India e-Arrival Card website is not working, these solutions — starting with the easiest — will help you submit your form before your flight.
Solution 1: Try the Su-Swagatam Mobile App (Recommended First Step)
– Download the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app from the App Store or Google Play (free)
– The app operates independently from the website and may work when the website is overloaded
– Submit your India e-Arrival Card through the app — same QR code output
Solution 2: Try the Bureau of Immigration Portal (boi.gov.in)
– Visit boi.gov.in as an alternative official portal
– Both indianvisaonline.gov.in and boi.gov.in support India e-Arrival Card submissions
Solution 3: Browser Troubleshooting
1. Clear your browser cache and cookies
2. Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
3. Disable browser extensions that may interfere with the form
4. Try in an Incognito/Private window
5. Disable VPN if you’re using one
Solution 4: Device Switching
– Try on a different device (smartphone vs laptop vs tablet)
– Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa)
– Try a different network entirely
Solution 5: Try at a Different Time
– Wait 30 minutes and try again — brief outages usually resolve quickly
– Peak submission times are 48–72 hours before major Indian holiday travel periods
– India Standard Time (IST) is UTC+5:30 — maintenance often during early morning IST hours
Common India e-Arrival Card Error Messages
If you see an error message while filling the India e-Arrival Card, here’s what each typically means and how to fix it.
“Invalid passport number”
– Check your entry: passport numbers typically contain both letters and numbers
– Verify the exact characters against your physical passport (no spaces)
– Ensure nationality matches your passport-issuing country
“Session expired”
– The India e-Arrival Card form session timed out after inactivity
– Start a new session — your data may not be saved
– Complete the form in one sitting; have all details ready before starting
“Submission failed”
– Internet connection interrupted during submission
– Try submitting again — if you already received a reference number, your form may already be submitted
– Check your email for a confirmation, or try the Quick Fill retrieval
“Passport not found” (in Quick Fill)
– Your passport may have been renewed since your last India e-Arrival Card
– Use a New Application instead
– Ensure you’re using the current passport number (not your old passport)
“Date format error”
– Use the date format accepted by the portal (DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY depending on the field)
– Double-check passport issue and expiry dates
Using the Su-Swagatam App When the Website Is Not Working
The Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app is your best backup when the India e-Arrival Card website is not responding — download it before you travel so it’s ready to use.
Why the Su-Swagatam app may work when the website doesn’t:
– The app uses different server pathways than the web portal
– Mobile apps often load faster under server load conditions
– The app supports offline form completion — fill the form without internet, submit when connection is available
Download the Su-Swagatam app:
– iOS: Apple App Store → search “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam”
– Android: Google Play Store → search “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam”
– Cost: Free
Pro tip: Download the Su-Swagatam app BEFORE you travel, not when you’re urgently trying to submit your India e-Arrival Card at the airport. Having it pre-installed ensures you have immediate backup access.
What to Do If You Cannot Submit the India e-Arrival Card Before Your Flight
If you genuinely cannot submit the India e-Arrival Card before your flight despite trying all options, here is what typically happens and what you can do.
At the departure airport:
– Airlines are instructed to check the India e-Arrival Card QR code at the gate
– If you don’t have a QR code, you may be allowed to board but asked to submit on your device at the gate
– Explain that the website was down if you attempted but couldn’t submit
On arrival at Indian immigration:
– Since April 1, 2026, paper cards are no longer available at airports
– If you arrive without an India e-Arrival Card, immigration officers may direct you to a staffed kiosk
– At the kiosk, you may be able to submit the India e-Arrival Card on-site — but expect significant delays
– In some cases, particularly during busy periods, this may affect your entry
Best prevention: Complete your India e-Arrival Card 24–48 hours before departure — not at the 72-hour mark. This gives you maximum time to resolve any website issues before travel day.
How to Contact Support for India e-Arrival Card Issues
If you experience persistent India e-Arrival Card issues, these are the official contact points for assistance.
Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in):
– Visit the official Bureau of Immigration website for contact information
– The contact page at boi.gov.in lists official support channels
Indian Consulate or Embassy in Your Country:
– If you’re unable to access the portal from your country, contact your nearest Indian consulate
– They can advise on alternative submission methods or known outages
Indian Visa Online Portal Help:
– The indianvisaonline.gov.in portal has a help/FAQ section
– Check for any announced maintenance or known issues
Note: There is no instant “live chat” support for the India e-Arrival Card system. Email inquiries to Indian immigration offices may take 24–48 hours to receive a response — another reason to submit your India e-Arrival Card well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official site for the India e-Arrival Card if the main site is down?
If indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ is not working, try boi.gov.in as an alternative official portal. You can also submit via the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app (iOS and Android).
Why is the India e-Arrival Card website not working?
Common reasons include server overload during peak travel periods, browser compatibility issues, internet connection problems, or occasional maintenance. Clear your browser cache, try a different browser, or use the Su-Swagatam app.
What if I still can’t submit the India e-Arrival Card before my flight?
Try the Su-Swagatam app and boi.gov.in as alternatives. If genuinely unable to submit, inform airline staff at check-in and explain the situation. At Indian immigration, you may face delays. Always submit 24–48 hours before departure to avoid this scenario.
Can I complete the India e-Arrival Card at the airport?
The India e-Arrival Card must be submitted before arriving at Indian immigration. While some airports may have kiosks, relying on on-site completion risks significant delays. Always submit in advance.
Is there an alternative to the official India e-Arrival Card website?
Yes — there are two official alternatives: boi.gov.in (Bureau of Immigration portal) and the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app (iOS and Android). All three produce the same valid QR code.
