Flying to India? Emirates warns of fresh travel requirement
Non-nationals must complete e-Arrival Card before boarding flights
DUBAI – The world’s largest international airline has issued an urgent advisory for passengers bound for India.
Emirates confirmed that all non-Indian nationals will now be required to complete a newly launched e-Arrival Card before flying.
The rule officially came into effect on Wednesday, October 1, marking a major change for holidaymakers and business travellers heading from the UAE to India.
The announcement was made by Emirates on Tuesday in advance of the rule’s implementation. The airline emphasised that Indian citizens and holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards remain exempt from the requirement.
e-Arrival Card
The e-Arrival Card replaces paper immigration forms with a fully digital system. Travellers must complete the card online through the India Bureau of Immigration website between 72 hours and 24 hours before departure.
The Su-Swagatam mobile app and the official Indian visa website can also be used to file the information.
How it works
Passengers will be required to provide personal details, arrival dates, accommodation information in India and contact numbers. There is no additional fee for the card. Emirates advised that submitting the form in advance will help avoid longer waits at immigration on arrival.
What if not done
For those who forget to complete the form before travelling, the e-Arrival Card can still be filled in at the airport in India, though this will mean lengthier processing. The airline encouraged travellers to keep their contact details up to date in the Manage Your Booking section of its website to receive timely alerts.
India remains one of the UAE’s most popular destinations, driven by close cultural ties and easy flight connections. With the new rule now in place, non-Indian travellers are urged to prepare ahead to ensure a smoother arrival experience.