The India e-Arrival Card and India e-Visa are two completely different documents. The e-Arrival Card is a free arrival declaration required for all foreign visitors; the e-Visa is a paid entry authorization for eligible nationalities. Most international travelers to India need both.
India e-Arrival Card vs e-Visa: Side-by-Side Comparison
These two documents serve entirely different purposes — use this comparison table to understand exactly what each one does and whether you need one, the other, or both.
| India e-Arrival Card | India e-Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Arrival declaration form | Entry authorization (visa) |
| Who must apply | ALL non-Indian passport holders + OCI | Eligible nationalities only |
| Cost | Free | Paid ($25–$80 USD typical, varies) |
| Processing time | Instant | 3–5 business days |
| Apply how far ahead | Within 72 hours before arrival | Apply weeks in advance |
| Portal | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ | indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ |
| OCI holders | ✓ Required | ✗ Not required (OCI = visa equivalent) |
| Indian citizens | ✗ Exempt | ✗ Not applicable |
| Both required? | ✓ Yes (in addition to valid visa) | ✓ Yes (in addition to e-Arrival Card) |
What Is the India e-Arrival Card?
The India e-Arrival Card is a mandatory, free, online arrival declaration form that all non-Indian passport holders must submit within 72 hours before arriving in India — it is not a visa and does not authorize entry on its own.
The India e-Arrival Card was introduced by India’s Bureau of Immigration on October 1, 2025, replacing the paper disembarkation card. Key facts:
- Cost: Free — “free of cost service of Indian Immigration”
- Who must submit: All non-Indian passport holders, including OCI cardholders
- When: Within 72 hours before arrival in India
- Processing: Instant — QR code generated immediately
- Validity: Single trip (submit fresh for each visit)
- What it is: A data collection and border management form — NOT a permission to enter
As the UK Government’s India travel advice states explicitly: “The e-arrival card is not a visa, and you will still need a separate valid visa or OCI card to enter India.”
The India e-Arrival Card lives at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
What Is the India e-Visa?
The India e-Visa is an electronic visa that authorizes eligible nationalities to enter India for tourism, business, or medical purposes — it requires an application fee and typically takes 3–5 business days to process.
The India e-Visa is a completely separate document from the India e-Arrival Card:
- Cost: Paid — fees vary by visa type and nationality (typical tourist e-Visa: $25–$80 USD)
- Who can apply: Not all nationalities — eligible countries are listed on the official portal
- Types available: e-Tourist Visa (30 days, 1 year, 5 years), e-Business Visa (1 year), e-Medical Visa (60 days)
- Processing time: 3–5 business days typically (apply well in advance)
- Purpose: Grants permission to enter India — without a valid visa or OCI card, you cannot enter
The India e-Visa lives at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
Note that both documents share the same parent domain (indianvisaonline.gov.in) but are in separate sections: /earrival/ for the India e-Arrival Card and /evisa/ for the India e-Visa.
Do You Need Both the India e-Arrival Card and e-Visa?
Most international travelers to India need both documents — the e-Visa (or physical visa) for permission to enter, and the India e-Arrival Card as the mandatory arrival declaration.
Who needs both:
| Traveler Type | India e-Arrival Card | India e-Visa / Visa |
|---|---|---|
| US tourist visiting India | ✓ Required | ✓ Required (e-Visa eligible) |
| UK tourist visiting India | ✓ Required | ✓ Required (e-Visa eligible) |
| EU tourist visiting India | ✓ Required | ✓ Required (e-Visa eligible) |
| Australian tourist | ✓ Required | ✓ Required (e-Visa eligible) |
| OCI cardholder | ✓ Required | ✗ Not required (OCI card = visa) |
| Indian citizen | ✗ Exempt | ✗ Not applicable |
| Traveler with physical India visa | ✓ Required | ✗ Has visa already |
Practical sequence for most international visitors:
1. First: Apply for India e-Visa (takes 3–5 business days) — do this weeks before travel
2. Then: Complete India e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival in India (takes 5–10 minutes)
3. Travel with both: e-Visa approval (on your phone or printed) + India e-Arrival Card QR code
What Happens If You Only Have One But Not Both?
Having only one document is insufficient — no India e-Arrival Card means immigration delays or denial; no visa means you cannot board your flight to India.
Scenario 1: You have a visa but no India e-Arrival Card
– You may board your flight (airlines check the India e-Arrival Card at the gate, but enforcement varies)
– At Indian immigration, you will face significant delays
– Since April 1, 2026, there is no paper card backup — you must have the digital form
– You may be directed to a staffed kiosk to complete the form on-site, causing further delays
– In the worst case, entry may be denied
Scenario 2: You have an India e-Arrival Card but no visa
– You almost certainly cannot board your flight — airlines verify visa requirements before boarding
– Even if you arrive, Indian immigration will deny you entry without a valid visa (or OCI card)
– The India e-Arrival Card does not grant any entry rights — it is purely an arrival declaration
The only correct scenario for most travelers: Hold a valid India visa (or OCI card) AND a submitted India e-Arrival Card.
How to Apply for Both Documents
Step 1: Apply for your India e-Visa (do this first)
– Visit: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
– Select the e-Visa type (tourism, business, medical)
– Pay the applicable fee
– Wait 3–5 business days for approval
– Download your e-Visa approval letter
Step 2: Submit your India e-Arrival Card (within 72 hours of arrival)
– Visit: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
– Fill in passport, flight, contact, India address, and health declaration
– Submit — QR code generated instantly (free)
– Download/print your India e-Arrival Card confirmation
At the airport and on arrival:
– Carry both: e-Visa approval + India e-Arrival Card QR code
– Show India e-Arrival Card QR at airline gate when boarding
– Present both documents at Indian immigration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the India e-Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. The India e-Arrival Card is an arrival declaration form, not a visa. It does not authorize you to enter India. You still need a separate valid visa (or OCI card) in addition to the India e-Arrival Card.
Do you need an India e-Arrival Card if you already have a visa?
Yes. Having an India e-Visa or physical visa does not exempt you from the India e-Arrival Card requirement. Both documents are required. The visa grants permission to enter; the India e-Arrival Card is the mandatory arrival declaration.
Is the India e-Arrival Card free while the e-Visa costs money?
Yes. The India e-Arrival Card is completely free. The India e-Visa has fees that vary by type and nationality (typically $25–$80 USD for tourist visas). They are separate applications on different portals.
Do OCI holders need an India e-Visa?
No. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders use their OCI card as a visa equivalent and do not need an India e-Visa. However, OCI holders DO still need to complete the India e-Arrival Card, which became mandatory for them on October 4, 2025.
Can I apply for both the India e-Arrival Card and e-Visa on the same website?
Both are on the same parent domain (indianvisaonline.gov.in) but different sections: e-Arrival Card at /earrival/ and e-Visa at /evisa/. Apply for the e-Visa first (takes days), then complete the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of your arrival.
What happens if I have a visa but forgot to complete the India e-Arrival Card?
You may face significant delays at Indian immigration and risk disruption to your travel plans. Since April 1, 2026, paper cards are no longer available at airports. You may be directed to complete the form on-site, causing delays. In some cases, entry may be denied.
