All tourists visiting India must complete the India e-Arrival Card before arrival — it takes 5–10 minutes and is free. Have your hotel address, passport, and flight details ready, and submit 24–48 hours before your flight for a smooth experience at Indian airports.
Do Tourists Need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes — all tourists visiting India with a non-Indian passport must complete the India e-Arrival Card before arrival. Tourism is the most common purpose of visit to India, and the requirement applies equally to all tourists regardless of nationality, trip length, or how many times they’ve visited India before.
The India e-Arrival Card became mandatory for all foreign nationals on October 1, 2025. For tourists, the practical impact is straightforward: it’s a free online form you complete 24–48 hours before your flight, taking less than 10 minutes, and you’ll receive a QR code to show at the airport.
What tourists should know:
– ✅ Required for ALL tourists with non-Indian passports
– ✅ Must be completed BEFORE arrival (not at the airport)
– ✅ Completely free — “free of cost service of Indian Immigration”
– ✅ QR code accepted digitally (on your phone) or printed
– ✅ Fast Lane access at airports for tourists who’ve completed the form
– ❌ NOT a visa — you still need a valid India visa (or OCI card)
When Should Tourists Submit the India e-Arrival Card?
Submit the India e-Arrival Card 24–48 hours before your flight departure — this ensures you have time for any corrections and gives you the smoothest airport experience.
Timing guidance for tourists:
| Timing | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1–2 weeks before trip | Too early for submission |
| 3 days before arrival | ✓ Official window opens (72 hours) |
| 24–48 hours before flight | ✅ Best time for tourists |
| Day of flight (morning) | ⚠️ Acceptable but stressful |
| At the airport | ❌ Too late — must be pre-arrival |
Why 24–48 hours is ideal for tourists:
– You’ve finished packing and have your passport at hand
– You’ve confirmed your hotel address (which you’ll need for the form)
– If the website is slow, you have time to retry or use the Su-Swagatam app
– You can print the QR code confirmation before leaving for the airport
Special consideration for long-haul flights: If you’re flying from the US, UK, or Australia and your flight is 15+ hours, submit the India e-Arrival Card at least 48 hours before your flight departs your home country — this gives ample time.
What Tourists Need to Prepare (Checklist)
Before starting your India e-Arrival Card, gather these 5 items to complete the form in one sitting without interruption.
Tourist preparation checklist:
- Your passport (open to the data page)
- Passport number (exactly as printed)
- Nationality
- Issue date and expiry date
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Check: at least 6 months validity beyond your India arrival date
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Your hotel/accommodation details
- Full hotel name and complete address (street, city, state)
- If staying with friends or family: their complete address
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If on a multi-destination tour: your first night’s accommodation
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Your flight details
- Arrival date in India
- Flight number and airline
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Which airport you arrive at (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, etc.)
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Your contact information
- Your email address
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Your phone number (with international country code)
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An emergency contact
- Name, phone number, and relationship to you
Time needed: With all this ready, the India e-Arrival Card form takes 5–10 minutes to complete.
India e-Arrival Card and Your Hotel Address
One of the most common points of confusion for tourists filling the India e-Arrival Card is the accommodation address field — here’s exactly what to enter.
The India e-Arrival Card requires your local address in India. For tourists, this means:
If staying at a hotel:
– Enter the hotel name AND full address (street address, city, state, PIN code if known)
– Example: “The Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra”
– You can find the full address on your booking confirmation email
If staying with friends or family:
– Enter your host’s complete residential address
– Include house number, street, neighborhood, city, state
– Confirm this with your host before filling the form
If on a multi-destination tour:
– Enter your first night’s accommodation address
– You don’t need to list every accommodation on the form
If you haven’t booked yet:
– Book at least your first night before completing the India e-Arrival Card
– You cannot leave this field blank
– If you’re deciding, choose a widely-known hotel in your arrival city to complete the form, then finalize your bookings
India e-Arrival Card Tips for Popular Tourist Destinations
Whether visiting the Taj Mahal, Kerala backwaters, Rajasthan, or Goa, every tourist at every Indian destination needs the India e-Arrival Card. Here are destination-specific tips.
Arriving at Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport):
– High-volume international hub — e-Arrival Fast Lanes available
– Tourists heading to Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur, or Varanasi typically arrive here
– Submit your India e-Arrival Card before leaving for Delhi
Arriving at Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport):
– 45% of inbound passengers are non-Indian nationals (highest proportion)
– e-Arrival Fast Lanes available; peak hour queues can be long without compliance
– Complete your India e-Arrival Card in advance for guaranteed Fast Lane access
Arriving at Bengaluru (Kempegowda International Airport):
– Popular gateway for Kerala and southern India tours
– BoI pilot data shows sub-3-minute clearance for e-Arrival Card holders
Key tip for all destinations: The India e-Arrival Card is the same process regardless of which Indian airport you arrive at. The form, the portal, and the QR code confirmation are identical everywhere.
India e-Arrival Card Tourist FAQs
Do tourists need to fill an arrival card for India?
Yes. All tourists traveling to India with a non-Indian passport must complete the India e-Arrival Card before arrival. The form is free, takes 5–10 minutes, and must be submitted within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival.
What address do I use for India e-Arrival Card as a tourist?
Enter your hotel’s full address (hotel name, street address, city, state). If staying with family or friends, use their complete residential address. Book at least your first night’s accommodation before filling the form.
Do I need to fill an India e-Arrival Card for every trip to India?
Yes. A new India e-Arrival Card must be submitted for each trip to India. Submit within 72 hours before each arrival. Returning travelers can use the Quick Fill feature to speed up the process.
Is the India e-Arrival Card required for short tourist visits?
Yes. The India e-Arrival Card is required regardless of how long you plan to stay. A weekend trip, a week-long tour, and a 30-day backpacking trip all require the India e-Arrival Card.
Where do tourists apply for the India e-Arrival Card?
At indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ (official website) or via the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app (iOS and Android). Both are free and produce the same valid QR code confirmation.
