Any Delays at Immigration Due to Missing e-Arrival Card?

My experience was at Bengaluru Airport after flying from Chicago.

I forgot to save my confirmation email, but fortunately I was able to retrieve it on my phone using airport Wi-Fi. Immigration processing itself was fairly quick.

A few travelers nearby were discussing arrival registration issues and were directed to airport staff for assistance. They eventually continued through the process, but it definitely added extra waiting time compared to passengers who already had everything ready.

Travel procedures seem to evolve regularly, so I try to check the latest requirements before every trip.

I traveled from Toronto to Mumbai on an OCI card.

I had completed the arrival process before flying, so I didn't face any issues. What I did notice was that immigration officers occasionally asked travelers additional questions when information was missing from the system.

One passenger ahead of me appeared to have trouble locating their confirmation details, which slowed things down. Whether that was specifically related to the e-Arrival Card or another travel document, I couldn't say for certain.

Based on my experience, having digital and printed copies of all confirmations helped reduce stress during arrival.

I arrived in Delhi from New York earlier this year and noticed a few passengers being pulled aside by airport staff because they hadn't completed some of their arrival formalities before landing.

I personally had my confirmation ready and went straight through immigration. However, a family standing near me mentioned they were being directed to a separate assistance desk to complete missing travel information.

I don't know exactly how long they were delayed, but they were still there when I collected my luggage and exited customs.

My takeaway was that it's easier to complete everything before departure if possible.