Can OCI Holders Travel Without Completing the e-Arrival Card?

I traveled from London to Bengaluru as an OCI holder about two months ago. The airline focused primarily on my passport, OCI card, and flight details.

I wasn't asked for any separate e-Arrival Card documentation during check-in or at immigration. Entry was straightforward, and the entire immigration process took less than ten minutes.

One thing I've learned is that requirements can vary depending on public health measures or temporary travel policies. What applied last year may not apply today.

Because of that, I always check official travel updates a few days before departure and keep screenshots of any completed forms, just in case.

My experience was slightly different. I flew from Vancouver to Mumbai earlier this year. Before traveling, I checked several travel advisories because there was a lot of conflicting information online.

In my case, I completed all online travel declarations that were recommended at the time, even though I wasn't sure they were mandatory. When I arrived in India, nobody asked for proof of submission.

From what I've seen, many travelers complete optional forms just to avoid uncertainty. The challenge is that information often circulates online long after requirements have changed.

I would verify the latest guidance directly from official sources and your airline rather than relying solely on older forum posts.

I traveled from New York to Delhi in March as an OCI card holder and was never asked about an e-Arrival Card. During airline check-in, the staff checked my U.S. passport and OCI card to confirm my eligibility to travel without a visa.

At Delhi immigration, the officer reviewed the same documents and processed my entry normally. Nobody requested an arrival card confirmation or asked whether I had completed one online.

That said, travel procedures sometimes change with little notice. Airlines occasionally follow their own documentation checklists, so it's worth reviewing the latest instructions before departure.