Delhi airport rolls out e-arrival cards for foreign travellers

October 1, 2025 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani

Delhi Airport is stepping into a new era of digital convenience for international passengers.

From October 1, foreign travellers arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport will have access to a new E-Arrival Card system.

This digital initiative, introduced by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, aims to make the arrival process smoother, faster, and more efficient.

The E-Arrival Card replaces the old paper-based arrival forms. International passengers can now fill in their arrival details online before landing in India.

The form will be available up to three days prior to their travel date. This eliminates the need to fill out paper forms on arrival manually.

DIAL stated that the platform offers a seamless digital experience to passengers.

The move is expected to reduce queues significantly, cut waiting times, and lower paper usage, aligning with the airport’s sustainability goals.

Several Asian countries already use similar systems. Travellers to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia benefit from online arrival forms. Delhi Airport now joins this global list of modern, tech-driven airports.

In another big step towards smart immigration, India launched the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) in June 2024.

This is currently available for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders at Delhi Airport. The FTI-TTP offers expedited immigration clearance for pre-approved travellers.

Participants can use dedicated e-gates, ensuring quicker entry and minimal wait times. This service is free at the moment, but may include a fee later.

The E-Arrival Card system and the FTI-TTP both reflect India’s push towards modernising travel infrastructure.

These efforts not only enhance passenger convenience but also reduce the government’s reliance on paperwork.

Travellers can access the E-Arrival platform online, with clear instructions provided in advance.

For foreign tourists, this small change could mean a big improvement in their first impression of India.

As air traffic continues to rise, such digital innovations are vital. They save time, reduce clutter, and support sustainable growth, without extra cost to the traveller.

Image Credit: Jnanaranjan sahu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons