Flying UAE–India? Emirates issues advisory on new e-Arrival Card rule for Dubai travellers
<p>DUBAI: If you’re flying from the UAE to India this month, there’s an important new travel requirement you need to know. Emirates has issued an advisory confirming that, effective <strong>October 1, 2025</strong>, all <strong>non-Indian nationals</strong> travelling to India must complete a new <strong>digital e-Arrival Card</strong> before boarding their flight.</p><p>The move is part of India’s broader push to modernise immigration, replacing outdated paper disembarkation forms with a streamlined online system. According to Emirates, travellers who fail to complete the form could face <strong>longer immigration waits</strong> upon arrival and risk delays with onward connections.</p><h3>What is the e-Arrival Card?</h3><p>The e-Arrival Card is an online immigration form that collects key passenger details in advance of travel. It must be completed <strong>between 72 and 24 hours before departure</strong> and can be filled out free of charge via:</p><p>India Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in)</p><p>Indian Visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in)</p><p>The Su-Swagatam mobile app</p><p>No supporting documents need to be uploaded. Once submitted, travellers receive a <strong>confirmation email</strong>, which can be stored digitally or printed and presented at immigration counters.</p><h3>Details required on the form</h3><p>The form gathers essential personal and travel information, including:</p><p>Passport number and nationality</p><p>Flight number and port of entry</p><p>Purpose of visit (tourism, business, study, medical)</p><p>Duration of stay in India</p><p>Residential address in India</p><p>Contact details</p><p>Countries visited in the last six days</p><p>This pre-arrival data allows Indian authorities to process entries faster and more securely.</p><h3>Who needs to fill it — and who doesn’t</h3><p>The rule applies to <strong>all foreign travellers flying to India</strong>, including UAE residents of other nationalities.</p><p>However, <strong>Indian nationals</strong> and <strong>Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders</strong> are exempt. They can continue using the <strong>Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)</strong>, launched in June 2024.</p><p>Importantly, the e-Arrival Card does <strong>not replace a visa</strong>. Travellers must still hold a valid visa for tourism, business, medical, or study purposes.</p><h3>Emirates’ advisory to Dubai passengers</h3><p>In its travel advisory dated <strong>September 30</strong>, Emirates urged passengers to <strong>update their contact details</strong> through its Manage Your Booking portal to receive timely notifications about the new requirement.</p><p>“To ensure a smooth journey, travellers are advised to check and update their contact details via the airline’s portal, so they receive all timely notifications related to their flight and immigration procedures,” the airline said on its website.</p><p>The airline emphasised that completing the e-Arrival Card in advance will help passengers avoid unnecessary delays at Indian airports, especially during <strong>peak travel seasons</strong> like school holidays, Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.</p><h3>Benefits for travellers</h3><p>According to India’s Bureau of Immigration, the new system offers multiple advantages:</p><p><strong>Faster immigration clearance</strong>: Passengers spend less time at counters.</p><p><strong>Less paperwork</strong>: Eliminates the need for paper forms distributed on flights.</p><p><strong>Reduced errors</strong>: Digital submission ensures data accuracy.</p><p><strong>Better security</strong>: Authorities gain advance information for smoother tracking.</p><p>For different categories of travellers, the benefits are particularly clear:</p><p><strong>Tourists</strong>: Quicker arrivals mean more time for sightseeing.</p><p><strong>Business travellers</strong>: Speedier immigration ensures smoother schedules.</p><p><strong>Students</strong>: Less stress upon arrival at Indian airports.</p><h3>A step towards digitised borders</h3><p>The e-Arrival Card reflects India’s push towards <strong>fully digital immigration procedures</strong>, part of a larger plan to modernise airports and reduce congestion. With India ranking among the UAE’s top travel destinations, especially for expatriates and tourists, the changes are expected to impact millions of journeys each year.</p><p>Officials highlight that the system also benefits immigration officers by providing secure, pre-screened data, ultimately enhancing efficiency and safety.</p><h3>Step-by-step guide for Dubai travellers</h3><p>Visit <strong>indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival</strong> or download the <strong>Su-Swagatam app</strong>.</p><p>Enter personal and passport details, travel itinerary, and contact information.</p><p>Add details of other travellers if flying with family or friends.</p><p>Review and confirm all details before submitting.</p><p>Save the digital confirmation or print a copy for presentation at immigration.</p><h3>A smoother journey ahead</h3><p>The new e-Arrival Card marks a significant shift in the travel experience between the UAE and India. By digitising immigration paperwork, authorities aim to make the process faster, safer, and more convenient for both passengers and officials.</p><p>For travellers, the key takeaway is simple: <strong>complete the e-Arrival Card before your flight</strong> to avoid delays on arrival. As Emirates advises, preparing early ensures a smoother journey and helps you get the most out of your time in India.</p>