India has introduced a new digital requirement for international visitors, making the e-Arrival Card mandatory for all non-Indian nationals entering the country. The change, which took effect on October 1, aims to simplify immigration procedures and reduce paperwork at airports. Emirates issued an advisory on September 30 to inform passengers departing from the United Arab Emirates about the updated entry process.

Mandatory Digital Form for All Non-Indian Travellers

The e-Arrival Card replaces traditional paper arrival forms previously filled out upon landing in India. According to the advisory, all foreign nationals, including those traveling from the UAE, must complete and submit this digital form between 72 and 24 hours before their scheduled departure. The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to enhance efficiency at border control points and improve the passenger experience upon arrival.

Submission Timeline and Online Process

Travellers are required to access the official online portal to fill in their personal details, flight information, and travel history. The form must be completed within the specified time window—no earlier than three days before departure and no later than one day prior. This ensures that immigration authorities receive accurate data in advance, allowing smoother verification when travellers reach Indian airports.

Emirates’ Advance Notification to Passengers

Emirates Airlines issued its notice a day before the rule came into effect, advising passengers flying from Dubai and other UAE airports to India to comply with the new entry requirement. The airline emphasized that completing the e-Arrival Card is now a prerequisite for boarding flights bound for Indian destinations. By alerting its customers early, Emirates sought to minimize last-minute disruptions and ensure that travellers are well-prepared for their journey.

Streamlining Immigration Procedures

The introduction of the e-Arrival Card marks a significant step toward digitizing India’s border management system. Initially implemented at Delhi Airport, the system is designed to accelerate clearance times by eliminating manual paperwork at immigration counters. Authorities expect that this digital transformation will not only reduce congestion but also enhance data accuracy and security across entry points nationwide.

Benefits for Travellers and Authorities

For passengers, especially frequent flyers between the UAE and India, the shift offers greater convenience by allowing pre-arrival formalities to be completed online from anywhere in the world. For immigration officials, it provides real-time access to traveller information before arrival, enabling faster screening and processing once passengers disembark. This dual advantage supports India’s ongoing modernization of its travel infrastructure while aligning with global trends toward contactless travel documentation.

The mandatory e-Arrival Card represents a major advancement in how international arrivals are handled in India. With Emirates proactively informing its passengers of these requirements, travellers from the UAE can expect a more seamless experience when entering Indian airports under this new digital system. As implementation expands beyond Delhi Airport, both visitors and authorities stand to benefit from quicker clearances and improved operational efficiency across terminals nationwide.