No Departure Cards Immigration Rule

The No Departure Cards Immigration Rule has simplified the international airport immigration process for Indian nationals travelling abroad by air. Since 1 July 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has discontinued the requirement to fill out paper departure (embarkation) cards, following the earlier removal of arrival cards in 2014.

As passenger information is now collected digitally through airline and passport records, the departure card abolition initiative has reduced paperwork, shortened immigration processing time, and improved passenger movement at airports across India.

What is an Embarkation Card?

Previously, Indian nationals travelling abroad by air were required to fill out an embarkation card before departure. This card generally collects some basic identification of the travellers, like:

1. Name and Sex

2. Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Nationality

3. Address in India

4. Occupation

5. Passport details viz. number, place and dates of issue/expiry.

6. Flight number and date of departure

7. Purpose of travel

As stated by the Home Ministry order, all this information about the passengers is already available with immigration authorities through airline and passport records. Therefore, an immigration departure form is not required any more.

This move has been introduced for an easy and hassle-free immigration process at airports. However, the embarkation form has been discontinued only for air travel. Passengers travelling abroad by rail, road, or sea will still have to fill the form. Apart from the new immigration rule, all the major airports in India have already stopped tagging and stamping the hand baggage for domestic travellers.

Also Read: How to Get X Visa Extension in India?

Advantages and Disadvantages of the New Departure Cards Rules

The new rules regarding the immigration departure card have their share of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

The discontinuation of the paper departure card has the following benefits.

1. Faster Airport process: Passengers no longer need to spend time filling out paper departure cards. Since the required information and flight details of the passengers are already available digitally, they can complete immigration formalities more efficiently before boarding their flights.

2. No Unnecessary Paperwork: Flyers do not have to worry about carrying pens to manually fill out their ID, passport, and flight details. It reduces unwanted hassles and ensures a smoother immigration process for passengers.

3. Reduced Paper Waste: This policy is eco-friendly as it prevents wastage of millions of pieces of paper every year.

Disadvantages

1. Air Travel Only: This rule applies only to air travel. So, when travelling abroad by rail, road, or sea, passengers still have to fill out a physical embarkation form.

2. Data Privacy Concerns: As immigration authorities rely on digitally collected passenger information, robust cybersecurity measures and data protection practices are essential to safeguard sensitive personal data from unauthorised access.

Documents Required in the Current Immigration Process

With the discontinuation of the departure form, the international airport immigration process of India has become significantly smoother. The mandatory documents now required at the airport are as follows:

1. Valid Passport: Your passport should meet the validity requirements of your destination country. Many countries require at least six months' validity beyond the date of arrival.

2. Visa: A visa for the country that you intend to visit is mandatory. It is advisable to carry a printed copy, even if your destination accepts e-visas.

3. Tickets: Make sure to carry your confirmed flight tickets or a digital or printed copy of your e-ticket. Even if you can show the digital version of your tickets and the staff may accept it, carrying a printed copy can serve as a useful backup.

4. Boarding Pass: If you have availed the facility of web check-in, download your boarding pass as a PDF and keep either a digital or printed copy, depending on your airline's requirements. This makes the whole process faster.

Apart from these mandatory documents, the airport staff may also ask for the following:

- Return ticket proof

- Travel insurance document

- Hotel booking confirmation, if requested by immigration authorities

- Proof of foreign exchange, if applicable (in case you are carrying cash)

After this, you can simply pass through security screening and proceed to the immigration counter to get your passport stamped. With the implementation of the no departure cards immigration rule, you will now have fewer formalities to fulfil at the airport before boarding your flight.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of the departure (embarkation) card for Indian nationals flying abroad marks a significant step toward streamlining airport processes and enhancing the overall travel experience. This move reduces unnecessary paperwork, making international travel smoother.

However, travellers using rail, road, or sea will still be required to fill out the form. As always, travellers should ensure they are adequately insured for any unforeseen issues during their journey.

Also, do not forget to insure your travels in India and abroad, as travel insurance from India guards you from any kind of hassle that may come your way. For more information on various travel policies and coverage they offer, please visit our website.

FAQs

Why has the embarkation card been discontinued?

The embarkation card has been discontinued to simplify the immigration process for Indian nationals flying abroad, reducing paperwork and speeding up airport procedures.

Who still needs to fill out the embarkation card?

The embarkation card is still required for travellers using rail, road, or sea to travel abroad. Only air travellers are exempt from this requirement.

When did the new rule come into effect?

The rule to discontinue the issuance of embarkation cards for air travel took effect on July 1, 2017.

Will this rule be implemented at all airports in India?

Yes, this rule will be implemented at all international airports in India, under the supervision of CISF, for air travel.

Are there any other changes to the immigration process?

Yes, the tagging and stamping of hand baggage for domestic travellers have also been discontinued at major airports across India.

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