New Rule: No More Departure Cards for Air Travelers from India

The home ministry of India has unanimously decided to discontinue the process of filling the departure or embarkation card for Indian nationals flying abroad, starting 1^st July 2017. It is similar to what the government had done on March 2^nd 2014, when they had stopped the rule of filling the arrival or disembarkation card for Indians flying in from abroad. So, what is embarkation form? It is a form that has to be filled by every traveller before starting their journey, listing the following information:

• Name and Sex
• Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Nationality
• Passport details viz. number, place and dates of issue/expiry.
• Address in India
• Flight number and date of departure
• Occupation
• Purpose of visit from India

This move has been introduced for a breezy and hassle-free immigration process at airports. However, the embarkation form has been discontinued only for air travel. People travelling 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. This rule will soon be implemented at every airport across the nation under the supervision of CISF. We welcome this move and appreciate the effort taken by the government in making the immigration process a lot smoother. Also, do not forget to insure your travels in India and abroad as a travel insurance 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. Also Read: How to Get X Visa Extension in India?

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

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 travelers using rail, road, or sea to travel abroad. Only air travelers are exempt from this requirement.

When did the new rule come into effect?

The rule to discontinue the filling of embarkation cards for air travel started on July 1, 2017.

Will this rule be implemented at all airports in India?

Yes, this rule will be implemented at all major 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 travelers have also been discontinued at major airports across India.