Delhi IGI Airport Introduces Digital E-Arrival Card for Foreign Travellers

Digital News Guru New Delhi Desk:

Delhi IGI Airport Goes Paperless: E-Arrival Card Replaces Disembarkation Form

• From October 1, 2025, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has begun using a digital E-Arrival Card for international travellers, effectively replacing the traditional paper disembarkation (arrival) cards.
• The government’s home ministry has also formalised that foreign nationals arriving in India will no longer need to use physical disembarkation forms; the arrival information can now be submitted online in advance.

Key Features & Advantages

The Change: From Paper to Digital

Under the new regime, foreign travellers arriving in Delhi no longer need to fill out physical arrival forms on the flight or at immigration. Instead, they can complete and submit their arrival information online up to three days (72 hours) before arrival, via official portals or mobile apps.

Relevant platforms include:

• The Bureau of Immigration’s portal (boi.gov.in)
• The Indian Visa / e-Visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in)
• The “Su-Swagatam” mobile app (Indian Visa app)
• The IGI Airport’s site (newdelhiairport.in)

For a transitional period (about six months), paper disembarkation cards may still be accepted to ease the shift.

Notably, Indian nationals and holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards are exempt from the new requirement.

Expected Benefits & Goals

1. Reduced Queues & Faster Processing

One of the key motivations is to cut down on delays at immigration. By having travellers’ information pre-submitted, immigration officers can process arrivals more swiftly, potentially turning long queues into shorter waiting times.

2. Better Passenger Experience

The move aligns with global airport practices: many international hubs (in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia) already employ digital arrival systems.
Delhi airport’s operator, DIAL, framed this as part of a “hassle-free travel experience” in its public statements.

3. Environmental & Administrative Gains

Digitizing arrival forms means less paper, fewer printed forms, and lower administrative overhead. It also resonates with the government’s Digital India vision.

4. Integration with Other Digital Aviation Initiatives

This new system complements other efforts like the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), which allows eligible Indian nationals and OCI holders to pass through immigration using biometric e-gates.

Implementation & What Travellers Should Know

• Travellers must submit arrival details within 72 hours before landing.
• The data required includes passport info, visa type, date of arrival, contact & address in India, purpose of visit, and travel history.
• After submission, a confirmation (or reference / QR code) is generated, which travellers may need to show at immigration.
• At the airport, immigration officials will use the submitted data; travellers may be asked to verify or correct information if needed.
• During the transition period, physical forms might still be accepted, but adoption of the digital system is strongly encouraged.

Challenges & Considerations

While the move is broadly positive, several practical and operational challenges may arise:

• Digital access & literacy: Not all travellers may be comfortable filling out the form online, especially those less familiar with apps or digital portals. Assistance desks or kiosks may be needed at airports during the transition.
• Technical glitches & server load: High volumes nearing flight times may strain servers or cause delays in loading or submission.
• Data security & privacy: With personal and travel data being collected and stored digitally, safeguarding it against misuse or breach is crucial.
• Verification issues on arrival: Differences between submitted data and actual travel documents (e.g. last-minute changes in itinerary) could lead to revalidation or manual corrections at immigration.
• Adoption & enforcement: Ensuring that airlines, travel agents, and travellers are all aware and comply is a logistic and communication challenge, especially in early days.

Looking Ahead & Broader Context

This launch in Delhi is likely to set a precedent for other major Indian airports. If successful, the E-Arrival Card system may be extended to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and other international gateways.

The shift also fits within larger trends in Indian aviation and border processes:

• India is progressively adopting facial recognition and biometric systems under initiatives like Digi Yatra, which allow passengers to use biometric identity instead of physical documents for check-in and boarding.
• The FTI-TTP / e-gate scheme for Indian nationals and OCIs already automates departure and arrival processes for a segment of travellers.

Together, these developments show India’s intention to modernize immigration and aviation infrastructure to global standards, reducing friction for travellers and improving airport throughput.

Conclusion

The introduction of the E-Arrival Card system at Delhi’s IGI Airport is a landmark change in how foreign travellers enter India. By transitioning from paper disembarkation cards to a digital, pre-arrival submission solution, authorities aim to cut delays, reduce manual paperwork, and enhance the passenger experience. While challenges will emerge—especially in adoption, technical reliability, and data security—the long-term potential is high. If executed well, this can pave the way for a more efficient, modernized, and traveller-friendly immigration system across India.

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