India to end paper arrival cards on March 31,2026, as e-Arrival Card becomes mandatory

Delhi International Airport confirms only digital arrival cards will be accepted from April 1, 2026

India will discontinue paper arrival cards on March 31, 2026, with the e-Arrival Card becoming the only accepted format for travelers. Delhi International Airport confirmed the deadline in a LinkedIn post on March 21, 2026.

From April 1, 2026, only the digital version will be recognized for travelers arriving at the Indian capital's airport.

End of the transition period

The deadline marks the completion of a transition phase that began when the e-Arrival Card system launched in October 2025. At that time, authorities indicated the paper format would remain available for up to six months to allow travelers and airlines time to adapt.

After several months of paper and digital formats coexisting, the shift to a fully digital process is now being finalized.

Other airports expected to follow

For now, only Delhi International Airport has confirmed the end of paper arrival cards. However, travelers can expect this measure to be gradually adopted at other airports across India.