Filling the Arrival/Departure Card: A First-Timer's Guide

How to Fill an Arrival or Departure Card — A First-Timer's Step-by-Step Guide for Indians

By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published 2026-06-13T10:00:00+05:30 · 12 min read

An arrival card (also called a landing card or disembarkation card) is a short paper or digital form you fill before clearing immigration in a foreign country. Most first-time Indian travellers fill it on the plane — flight attendants distribute them — and immigration officers review it alongside your passport at the counter.

TL;DR — what is an arrival card and do you need to fill one?

An arrival card (also called a landing card, disembarkation card, or ED card) is a short government form that collects basic data from visitors: your name, passport number, flight number, address where you will stay, purpose of visit, and a few health or customs questions. Not every country still uses paper arrival cards — many have moved to electronic pre-registration (e.g., the US ESTA, India's online arrival forms for some nationalities) — but paper cards remain standard across much of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe as of 2026. Fill it neatly in block capital letters using a black or blue ballpoint pen, do not leave any field blank, and hand it to the immigration officer along with your passport and visa.

Which countries still use paper arrival cards in 2026?

Countries that commonly issue paper arrival cards to Indian travellers include:

Thailand: TM6 form (paper card handed out on the plane)
Sri Lanka: online e-arrival card replaced paper as of 2023 — fill it before you fly
Indonesia (Bali): moved to a digital e-arrival card; fill it at indonesiaetraveler.id before departure
Japan: paper Disembarkation Card for Foreigner still in use at most ports
Singapore: eliminated the paper arrival card in 2023; uses an app/online system instead
UAE / Dubai: no paper arrival card — your visa data is captured digitally
UK: removed the landing card in 2019; no card needed
Schengen countries: no standard arrival card — border officers ask questions verbally

Always check the official immigration authority website of your destination before travel — countries change these requirements regularly. The airline or cabin crew will usually hand out cards during the flight if they are required.

Field-by-field: what each section of an arrival card means

Most arrival cards are A5-sized forms with 10–20 fields. Here is what is typically asked and how to fill it:

Family name / Surname: Your last name exactly as in your passport. For Indians, this is often the father's or family name. Write it in full — do not abbreviate.
Given name(s) / First name: Your first name (and middle name if the passport includes it). Again, exactly as in the passport.
Date of birth: Most countries use DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY — check the format on the card. Japan, for example, uses YYYY/MM/DD. Look at the example field if printed.
Nationality: Write Indian or India — match whatever is printed in your passport under 'Nationality'.
Passport number: Copy this exactly from the data page of your passport. Double-check — a wrong digit can cause a mismatch with your visa record.
Passport expiry date: From the data page. If it is expiring within 6 months of your travel date, check the destination country's entry rules — many countries require 6 months' validity beyond your stay.
Flight / vessel number: From your boarding pass — e.g., AI 302, EK 501. Write only the flight number, not the full route.
Country where you boarded: If you flew direct from India, this is India. If you connected via Dubai, this is UAE — the country of the last airport you departed from.
Purpose of visit: Tick the correct box: Tourism, Business, Transit, Study, Medical, Other. Be honest — your visa type should match. A tourist visa holder ticking 'Business' invites questions.
Duration of stay: The number of days you intend to stay, not your visa validity. If your visa allows 30 days but you are staying 10 days, write 10.
Address in country: The full address of your first night's accommodation — hotel name, street and city. If you are staying with friends, use their address. Do not write 'various' or 'TBD' — immigration officers will send you aside to fill this properly. Take a screenshot of your hotel confirmation before boarding.
Signature: Sign in the box; children under the signature age (varies by country — often 14 or 18) can be signed by a parent.

Common mistakes first-time Indian travellers make on arrival cards

The errors that most often slow people down at immigration counters:

Wrong date format: Writing your birth date as 15/08/1990 in a field that expects 08/15/1990 (MM/DD). Check the example format before writing.
Abbreviated name: Writing 'Rahul K Sharma' when your passport says 'Rahul Kumar Sharma'. Always expand fully.
Leaving the address blank: 'Hotel TBD' or 'Will book on arrival' is not acceptable. Book at least your first night before flying, and copy the address from your confirmation.
Wrong flight number: Confusing the flight number with the booking reference (PNR). The flight number is on your boarding pass (e.g., 6E 811).
Crossing out and rewriting: If you make an error, request a fresh card from the flight attendant rather than crossing out. Crossed-out fields are visible to immigration officers and can prompt questions.
Not keeping the departure stub: Most paper arrival cards are two-part — the officer keeps one half and staples or hands you the other (departure card). Keep the departure stub in your passport until you leave. Losing it can complicate your departure clearance.

Digital arrival forms — pre-registration before you fly

Several popular destinations for Indian travellers now use pre-arrival digital registration instead of or in addition to a paper card:

Sri Lanka: Online arrival form at eta.gov.lk — fill it within 72 hours of travel and save the QR code.
Indonesia: e-arrival card at indonesiaetraveler.id — mandatory for all arrivals, replace the old paper form.
Malaysia: MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) — all visitors must complete it online within 3 days of arrival.
UK: ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required for most non-visa nationals from 2025, distinct from the old landing card.
USA: ESTA for Visa Waiver Program countries (Indians are not eligible and must apply for a US visa); all arrivals fill a CBP One or APC kiosk form at the airport instead of a paper card.

For digital forms, fill them accurately online, save the confirmation (screenshot or email), and have it ready on your phone at the immigration counter. Carrying a printed copy is wise for destinations with unreliable airport Wi-Fi.

Arrival card vs departure card — what is the difference?

In countries that use a two-part form, the card you receive on the plane is both an arrival card and a departure card attached at a perforation:

The arrival card (disembarkation card) is detached by the immigration officer when you enter the country. They keep it as part of the entry record.
The departure card (embarkation card) is the remaining half that is stamped and returned to you — or stapled into your passport. You surrender it at the immigration counter when you leave that country.

If you lose the departure card during your stay, you may be required to fill out a lost-card form at the airport before departure, which takes time. Keep the departure stub secured in your passport from the moment you enter.

What immigration officers actually look for — and how to prepare

For first-time Indian travellers, the immigration counter is the most anxiety-inducing part of international travel. Understanding what the officer is checking makes it far less stressful.

Immigration officers are broadly verifying four things:

Identity match: Your face matches the passport photo. Look directly at the officer; avoid wearing sunglasses or a cap in the queue.
Visa validity: Your visa type and validity covers your intended stay. For countries like Thailand (VoA) or Dubai (visa-on-arrival for Indians), the officer issues the stamp at the counter — have your payment ready in USD cash if required.
Credibility of purpose: Your stated purpose of visit matches your supporting documents. A tourist should have hotel bookings; a student should have an admission letter.
Onward or return ticket: Most countries want evidence that you plan to leave. Have your return flight details on your phone or printed — a screenshot from FlightGPT or the airline app works.

Common questions asked at immigration counters that first-timers should be ready for:

'Where are you staying?' — Answer: Hotel name and city.
'How long are you staying?' — Answer: Specific number of days.
'What is the purpose of your visit?' — Answer: Tourism, business, visiting family, etc. Match your visa type.
'Do you have sufficient funds?' — Answer: You may be asked to show your credit card or bank card. Have one accessible.

Keep your answers brief and factual. Do not over-explain or volunteer information not asked for. If the officer asks to see your hotel booking or return ticket, hand over your phone calmly — this is normal and not a sign of suspicion.

How immigration cards connect to your Indian passport — OCI, PIO and minors

A few specific situations relevant to Indian travellers:

OCI card holders (Overseas Citizens of India): If you hold an OCI card and are travelling on a foreign passport, you typically fill the arrival card with your foreign passport details, not your Indian passport. You may still be asked to show your OCI card at immigration — carry it with your foreign passport. OCI holders visiting India do not fill a separate arrival card; they use the Indian citizen (passport holder) counter.

Dual-nationality families: Children born abroad to Indian parents often hold foreign passports but also have Indian heritage. If they travel to India on their foreign passport, they use the foreign nationals queue and fill the arrival card. If they have an OCI card, they use the OCI/Indian passport queue. Carry both documents and let immigration tell you which counter.

Minors travelling alone or with one parent: Several countries — including Thailand, South Africa and the UAE — require additional documentation for minors travelling without both parents (consent letters, court orders). These requirements are separate from the arrival card itself, but the 'accompanied by' field on the card must match reality. Check the destination country's embassy website for minor travel requirements before booking.

Bottom line — practical tips before your first immigration counter

Keep these essentials ready at the immigration counter:

Your passport (open to the data page)
Completed arrival card (both halves intact)
Your visa (or visa-on-arrival fee in USD if applicable)
Your first-night hotel address on your phone screen
Onward or return flight details

Immigration officers are doing a job — answer questions clearly, do not volunteer extra information, and look the officer in the eye briefly. For Indian passport holders, smile and state your purpose plainly: 'Tourism — seven days.'

Before your trip, use the FlightGPT visa panel to check entry requirements for your destination. Also see our guides on airport transit visas for Indians and Indian customs duty-free limits on return.

Immigration rules change — verify on the official immigration authority website of your destination before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I fill the arrival card before or after landing?

Fill it on the plane — flight attendants distribute cards during the flight, typically about an hour before landing. If you did not receive one, ask the cabin crew. For countries that use digital pre-arrival forms (Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia), you should fill these online before you even board.

What address do I put on the arrival card?

Write the full address of your first night's accommodation — hotel name, street address and city. If staying with friends or family, use their residential address. Never leave it blank or write 'TBD'. Take a screenshot of your hotel booking confirmation before boarding so you have the address offline.

My name has initials in the middle — do I write the full name on the arrival card?

Yes, write your name exactly as it appears in your passport. If your passport shows 'Priya Ramesh Kumar', do not write 'Priya R Kumar' on the form. The immigration system cross-references the card against your passport data, and abbreviations can trigger a mismatch.

What is the departure card stub and why do I need to keep it?

In countries using a paper two-part card, the departure stub is the half returned to you after the immigration officer tears off the arrival portion. It is your proof of legal entry and is collected again when you exit the country. Losing it can mean extra paperwork at departure — always keep it inside your passport for the duration of your stay.

Does India issue an arrival card to foreign visitors, and do I fill one when returning to India?

India does not currently use a paper arrival card for its own residents returning home. Indian citizens returning from abroad go through the Indian immigration line, present their passport, and are cleared. Customs forms (if applicable) are handled separately at the customs channel after baggage claim.

What should I do if I make a mistake while filling the arrival card on the plane?

Ask a flight attendant for a fresh card and start over. Do not cross out or use correction fluid — immigration officers notice overwritten fields, and it can slow you down at the counter. Crew are used to handing out replacement cards; they keep extras onboard for this reason.