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Get help with my applicationDo OCI Cardholders Need India's e-Arrival Card? (Yes, Since 1 October 2025)
Updated 2026-10-15
Key Takeaways
- OCI cardholders must now complete the e-Arrival Card — the exemption ended on 1 October 2025.
- Only holders of an Indian passport are exempt.
- The form is free on the official portal; anyone charging you for the card itself is adding a fee of their own.
- Submit within 72 hours before arrival, and keep the QR code you receive.
The short answer
Yes. As of 1 October 2025, every foreign passport holder travelling to India must submit the electronic Arrival Card, and that includes OCI cardholders. The exemption OCI holders previously enjoyed no longer applies. The only people exempt are Indian passport holders.
This is the change that catches people out, because the older guidance — still quoted on plenty of sites — says OCI holders are exempt. If you hold an OCI card and are travelling on a foreign passport, plan to file the card before you fly.
Who has to file, and who does not
| Traveller | e-Arrival Card required? |
|---|---|
| Foreign passport holder (any nationality) | Yes — within 72 hours before arrival |
| OCI cardholder travelling on a foreign passport | Yes — the exemption ended 1 Oct 2025 |
| Indian passport holder | No — the only exemption |
What the card actually is
It is India's electronic replacement for the paper disembarkation card you used to fill in on the plane. It asks for your passport details, your flight and arrival details, and where you will be staying. You submit it online and receive a QR code.
It is not a visa and it does not replace one. Your visa or OCI status is what lets you enter; the Arrival Card is the declaration you file on top of it.
What it costs
Nothing, on the official portal at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in. Indian Immigration describes it as a free-of-cost service. If a site is charging you for the card itself, that is their margin, not a government fee — the government's fee is zero.
When to submit it
Within 72 hours before arrival. Submitting earlier than the window is the single most common mistake, so check your arrival time in local Indian time before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have an OCI card. Do I really need to fill this in now?
Yes. The exemption for OCI cardholders ended on 1 October 2025, and the requirement now covers every foreign passport holder. Only Indian passport holders are exempt. Any page still telling you OCI holders are exempt is out of date.
Is the e-Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. A visa is permission to enter; the Arrival Card is a declaration you file before you arrive. Most travellers need both — the card does not replace your visa, and having the card does not guarantee entry.
How much does it cost on the official site?
It is free on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in. Indian Immigration describes it as a free-of-cost service. A paid service can charge for helping you complete and check it, but there is no government fee for the card.
How long before arrival should I submit it?
Within 72 hours before arrival. Filing too early is the most common reason a submission is rejected, so wait until you are inside the window.
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