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

One thing I'd be careful about is the word "mandatory." The requirement can depend on the category of traveller and the current rules, so don't assume every foreign traveller has exactly the same procedure.

If the e-Arrival Card applies to your category, completing it before travel is the safer option. If you arrive without it, I wouldn't automatically assume you'll be refused entry, but you could be asked to complete the necessary information before immigration can finish processing you.

Also, make sure you're using the official government arrival-card system. There are third-party websites that offer to help with Indian travel forms, and I wouldn't enter passport information into a random website.

Since you're travelling on an e-Visa, keep your passport, visa details, and any arrival-card confirmation together.

I actually forgot to complete the arrival form before one of my trips. I was travelling on a foreign passport and had a valid Indian visa.

At the airport, I was told that I needed to complete the required arrival information. I don't remember it being a major issue, but it did add some time to the process because I had to deal with the additional form instead of going straight through the normal immigration procedure.

I wouldn't assume my experience will be the same for everyone. Airport procedures can change and different airports may handle things differently.

The bigger point is that a missing arrival form and an invalid visa are two completely different situations. I had the required visa, so the issue was with the arrival information rather than permission to travel to India.

If you're still in the UK and have time before your flight, I'd just complete the current official arrival form if you're required to do so. It avoids having to sort it out while you're already waiting at immigration.

I didn't forget mine, but I travelled to Delhi recently and completed the e-Arrival Card before leaving the UK.

The immigration process was fairly straightforward because I already had the required travel documents ready. I wouldn't deliberately leave the arrival card until reaching the airport, though.

From what I understand, the arrival card is separate from your visa. Having a valid Indian e-Visa doesn't necessarily mean you can ignore other applicable arrival formalities.

If you've already got your flight booked for August 18, I'd complete the form before travelling if the current official instructions say it applies to you. It shouldn't be treated as a replacement for your e-Visa; you need to satisfy the applicable visa and entry requirements separately.

I'd also keep the confirmation/details available on your phone after submitting it. I haven't personally had immigration ask me to show it, but having the record handy seemed sensible.

For anything involving current Indian entry requirements, I'd check the Bureau of Immigration information rather than relying on someone's experience from an earlier trip. These procedures can change.

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.