Aussie travellers heading to India will notice a change in entry requirements for the country, with the South Asian nation rolling out a new digital arrival card for visitors.
The new process replaces the paper card system, although local media reports that physical cards will still be permitted for the next six months.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), India’s new online e-Arrival Card will apply to foreign arrivals, including Australians and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders.
“Depending on your travel route, you might be asked to complete the online e-Arrival card or a paper arrival card,” DFAT states on its Smartraveller website.
“Where required, the online e-Arrival card should be completed up to 3 days before your arrival in India.” Australians still need to hold a valid visa, which must be organised before touching down in India, or OCI to enter the country.
According to DFAT, tourist e-visas are valid for up to 30 days, one year or five years. You can apply for an e-visa by visiting the Indian government’s Indian Visa Online website.
The e-Arrival Card system is part of the government’s wider efforts to improve the overall visitor experience in India, The Times of India reports.
India increase
And overall visitor numbers, from Australia at least, are growing. In August, India was the tenth most visited overseas destination among Aussie travellers, with 28,690 Australians arriving in the country, which was up from 26,570 in August 2024 (and 18,750 in August 2019).
In addition, recent data from Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) Corporate Traveller division shows flight capacity to the world’s most populous nation from Australia has grown by a whopping 346 per cent over pre-pandemic levels, representing the highest post-COVID gain of any country.
According to Corporate Traveller, India’s economic ties with Australia have helped fuel growth, but tourism and VFR travel have also contributed, with a recent codeshare deal between Air India and Virgin Australia being the latest boost to connectivity.
DFAT advises travellers to “Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall due to the threat of terrorism and crime and the risk of civil unrest” – the second lowest travel advisory level.
