Emirates has issued an important travel advisory as of Tuesday, September 30, alerting passengers flying to India about new immigration procedures that could impact their journey times. The airline highlighted that failing to complete the mandatory e-Arrival Card online could lead to extended waits at immigration checkpoints in India as well as potential delays in continuing onward travel. This move underscores India’s progressive shift towards digitizing its immigration system, streamlining the arrival process for all foreign visitors.
Check Your Contact Details
To make sure your travel goes smoothly, Emirates advises all travellers to verify and update their contact information through the airline’s Manage Your Booking portal. Doing so ensures that passengers receive timely notifications regarding any updates about their flight and immigration process. Staying informed is crucial when dealing with new procedures, and keeping contact details current helps the airline communicate effectively to avoid surprises during your journey.
UAE to India Flights: Immigration Goes Fully Digital
India is embracing modernization with its roll-out of the e-Arrival Card system, an innovative digital replacement for the traditional paper disembarkation forms. This initiative is part of the country’s broader attempt to digitize immigration formalities, which promises to reduce the time travellers spend in queues, minimize errors that typically occur with manual paperwork, and improve the overall flow during busy arrival periods. Such changes are especially beneficial during peak travel times including festivals, school holidays, and major events.
How the e-Arrival Card Works
The e-Arrival Card is a secure online form travellers must complete prior to landing. Instead of filling out paper forms on the plane or after arrival, travellers can input their details on the official portal up to 72 hours before they reach destinations like Delhi. This digital approach helps immigration officials verify passenger information swiftly and accurately.
How to Apply
All foreign nationals flying to India are required to submit the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before their flight. The form collects essential personal and travel information necessary for smooth entry processing.
Key Details Required:
- Passport number and nationality
- Flight number
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, study, or medical)
- Duration of stay
- Residential address in India
- Contact details
- Countries visited in the last six days
After submission, travellers receive a confirmation receipt which can be saved on a mobile device or printed for presentation upon immigration. This eliminates the need to carry or complete paper forms, making the arrival procedure hassle-free.
Where to Submit
Travellers can complete their e-Arrival Card via the official Indian government portal or using the Su-Swagatam mobile app. There is no need to upload additional documents during this process. Once the form is submitted, a confirmation email is sent immediately. While a digital copy is sufficient for immigration purposes, carrying a printed version is recommended for ease and reassurance.
Benefits for Travellers
The introduction of the e-Arrival Card offers tangible advantages for all types of visitors:
- Tourists benefit from spending less time in immigration lines and more time exploring India’s iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal or Jaipur’s ancient palaces.
- Business travellers enjoy quicker access to meetings, conferences, and corporate events without unnecessary delays.
- Students experience a smoother, less stressful arrival as their documentation process is simplified.
Visa Requirement
It’s important to note that the e-Arrival Card is not a substitute for an Indian visa. Travellers must still obtain a valid visa for tourism, business, or study purposes. The card merely pre-informs immigration authorities about the traveller’s arrival, enabling faster and more secure processing.
Who is Exempt?
Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders do not need to submit the e-Arrival Card. They can continue using the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), which was launched in June 2024 to facilitate even quicker entry for frequent travellers.
Key Advantages and Travel Impact
The new e-Arrival Card system enhances the travel experience significantly by:
- Reducing immigration wait times during busy periods such as Eid, festivals, and holiday seasons.
- Eliminating the inconvenience of filling out paper forms en route, saving travellers precious time.
- Improving the accuracy of passenger data, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors and subsequent delays.
- Offering Indian authorities secure and verifiable tracking of arrivals, boosting airport security and efficiency.
Such a digital system modernizes India’s immigration process while prioritizing safety and convenience for travellers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying
- Visit the official portal at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or download the Su-Swagatam app on your smartphone.
- Enter your personal details including passport number, expected arrival date, contact info, and residential address in India.
- If travelling with family or friends, you can add their details as well.
- Review all the information carefully, check the self-declaration box, and submit your application.
- Receive a confirmation via email or mobile message. Save it digitally or print a copy for your convenience.
There are no fees or document uploads required for this process, making it straightforward and accessible for all travellers.
By adopting India’s e-Arrival Card, visitors can look forward to a more efficient and seamless immigration experience, turning what was once a tedious process into an easy digital formality.
