India Related

Travelling to India with an OCI Card: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

By Gopi · Last verified

Every time we fly to India on our OCI cards, there’s a short list of things to do before we land. Rules here change often, so this page keeps that list in one place, with the official link for each item and the date I last checked it. Tick items off as you go: your ticks stay on your device.

In short

  • Before you fly: your passport and OCI card (or eOCI) match, the e-Arrival card is done within 72 hours of arrival, and the Air Suvidha self-declaration is filled in.
  • Optional, but saves time: register for FTI-TTP fast-track immigration.
  • Driving in India? You must carry an International Driving Permit.
  • Don’t pack a drone: importing complete drones into India is prohibited, apart from approved government, research and defence uses.
  • Always confirm on the official links below before you travel.

Your India travel checklist

  1. 1. Passport valid, and your OCI updated if you have a new passport
  2. 2. e-Arrival card submitted
  3. 3. Air Suvidha self-declaration form filled in
  4. 4. FTI-TTP fast-track immigration (optional)
  5. 5. International Driving Permit, if you will drive
  6. 6. No drone in your luggage

Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks stay on this device only.

1. Your passport and OCI card

Travel on the foreign passport linked to your OCI. If you’ve renewed your passport since your OCI was issued, check whether you need to update your OCI with the new passport before you travel; my video below shows the current process.

2. e-Arrival card

Foreign nationals, including OCI and eOCI cardholders, must submit the e-Arrival card within 72 hours before arriving in India, on India Visa Online, the Bureau of Immigration website or the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app. It’s free, it’s arrival information only (not a visa), and the official site warns that no agent is authorised to charge for it (India Visa Online).

3. Air Suvidha self-declaration form

India Visa Online also says all passengers must fill in the self-declaration form on Air Suvidha before reaching the arrival immigration counters. The official Air Suvidha portal says filling in the form is free and warns about fake websites that charge money for it.

4. FTI-TTP fast-track immigration (optional)

Registered travellers use automated e-Gates at 14 Indian airports instead of the regular queue. It’s free and lasts 10 years or until your passport expires. New OCI applicants can register just by ticking a box on the OCI form. My FTI-TTP guide has every step.

5. International Driving Permit (if you will drive)

The Government of Canada’s travel advice for India says you must carry an International Driving Permit to drive there (travel.gc.ca). In Canada, you get it from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). It’s valid for one year, and only covers the same class of vehicle as your Canadian licence (travel.gc.ca: International Driving Permit). I got mine at a CAA store; my video shows how.

6. Leave the drone at home

Since 9 February 2022, importing complete drones into India has been prohibited, except for approved government, research and defence uses (DGFT notification 54; Ministry of Civil Aviation drone import policy). An airline accepting it in your bag doesn’t mean Indian customs will let it in.

My videos for the trip

Checked against the official pages linked above on October 13, 2026. Not legal or immigration advice: India’s travel rules change, so confirm each item on the official sites before you fly.

What next

Register for fast-track immigration with my FTI-TTP guide, or see everything in my India guide.

What applies now, and what doesn't

Struck-through items are no longer required. Last verified: October 13, 2026. See the full timeline of changes.

Applies now

India e-Arrival card

Foreign nationals, including OCI and eOCI cardholders, submit it within 72 hours before arriving, on India Visa Online or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app. It is free and is not a visa.

Applies now

Air Suvidha self-declaration form

All passengers fill the self-declaration form before reaching the arrival immigration counters.

Applies now

Bringing a drone into India

Importing complete drones is prohibited, except for approved government, research and defence uses (DGFT notification 54). Leave your drone at home.

Applies now

FTI-TTP membership

Free. Valid for 10 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. Not for ECR passports, seafarers or children under 7. Register on the official FTI-TTP portal.

Spot something outdated? Tell me in the YouTube comments on the related video, or use the contact form.