Guide to Departure Cards
What is a Departure Card?
A departure card, also known as an outgoing passenger card or embarkation card, is a legal document that immigration authorities use to track the departure of international visitors from a country. It's essentially a record of a person's exit, helping to maintain immigration data.
The departure card will require personal information such as your name, passport number, nationality and flight details. Some countries may also ask for the address of where you're staying in the country or the purpose of your visit.
Departure cards, similar to arrival cards, are often part of a two-part immigration process. If you're visiting a country that requires arrival and departure cards, immigration officials will keep your arrival card upon arrival but let you keep your departure card within your passport until you leave the country.
Please note that the use of departure cards has declined in many countries, becoming obsolete due to electronic systems that speed up the immigration process.
Which Countries Require Departure Cards?
As of 2024, there is no longer a requirement for departure cards as many countries have transitioned to electronic immigration systems.
Countries that previously required departure cards included Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Philippines and Vietnam. More information on departure cards for these countries can be found below:
Australia Departure Cards
- From 1st July 2017, travellers departing Australia no longer need to complete a departure card. The Australian government implemented this change to streamline the departure process and reduce wait times for passengers.
- You still need to complete an arrival card, otherwise known as the Incoming Passenger Card, for entrance into Australia.
Japan Departure Cards
- From 1st April 2023, travellers departing Japan no longer need to complete Japan's departure card, otherwise known as the 'Disembarkation Card'. This is due to the introduction of the 'Visit Japan Web' system introduced in December 2021.
- Visit Japan Web allows you to complete immigration, customs and quarantine forms online before arrival. You also get unique QR codes that can be presented to immigration once you arrive in Japan.
South Korea Departure Cards
- From 1st April 2017, travellers departing South Korea no longer need to complete South Korea's departure card. South Korea discontinued the departure card process to reduce redundancy and speed up the immigration process.
- The Q-Code system was introduced to replace this process, however, as of July 2023, this process has also been discontinued.
- You're still required to apply for a K-ETA - this is South Korea's electronic travel authorisation system.
Singapore Departure Cards
- As of March 2020, departure cards for leaving Singapore are no longer required. This change was introduced as part of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) efforts to improve the efficiency of Singapore's immigration procedures.
- You're now required to submit the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) which replaces the previous paper-based disembarkation card.
Indonesia Departure Cards
- The requirement for a departure card for Indonesia was discontinued in 2023. Instead, there is an Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) form that needs to be filled out within 72 hours before your departure from Indonesia. Once completed, you'll receive a QR code that must be scanned when you reach customs.
Thailand Departure Cards
- From June 2022, Thailand suspended the requirement for international travellers to fill out the TM6 arrival/departure card for all air travel. This was to reduce congestion at airports, improve passenger waiting times and also boost the tourism industry within Thailand.
Malaysia Departure Cards
- At the beginning of 2024, Malaysia discontinued the use of paper-based departure cards and replaced these with the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) which needs to be completed online.
- The MDAC needs to be completed by all travellers within 3 days prior to arrival into Malaysia. You'll receive a confirmation email after submitting the MDAC online. This needs to be presented at immigration upon arrival.
Russia Departure Cards
- In December 2023, Russia discontinued the use of departure cards for all international travellers. Despite this, you're still required to complete a two-part migration card upon arrival - one part is kept by immigration authorities while the other needs to be kept by you and presented upon departure from Russia.
Philippines Departure Cards
- From May 2023, the Philippines discontinued the use of departure cards however you're still required to fill out an eTravel form online. This has to be completed between 72 hours and 3 hours before departure.
Vietnam Departure Cards
- As of 2024, you no longer need to fill out a separate departure card when leaving Vietnam. The entry and exit process has been streamlined via the NA1 form (previously the M3 form) collected upon arrival.
- When entering Vietnam, you'll be given the NA1 form either on the plane or at the airport upon arrival. We recommend downloading this and filling it out in advance before you travel to speed up the process.
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FAQs
What countries require a departure card?
As of 2024, departure cards have been discontinued or suspended by all countries including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Please note that this information is subject to change and that you should thoroughly research the required travel documents for the country you're visiting well in advance.
Are there any alternatives to departure cards?
The phasing out of paper-based departure cards is largely due to the introduction of electronic immigration systems. These systems use digital databases to record passenger information. It usually involves your passport being scanned and biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial recognition) being collected.
Passport stamps are also an alternative to departure cards, although these are becoming less common too.
Another alternative is automated passport control gates, otherwise known as ePassport gates, that allow you to quickly pass through immigration by scanning your passport and providing biometric information.