Has Anyone Entered India Using Only the QR Code on Their Phone?

I landed in Bengaluru from Australia last month. I only had the QR code stored on my phone because I forgot to print the confirmation before leaving.

The officer asked if I had completed the e-Arrival Card, and I showed the QR code from the confirmation email. They looked at it briefly, scanned my passport, and continued with the normal immigration process. Everything went smoothly.

Even though I didn't need a paper copy, I'd suggest downloading the confirmation before your flight. Airport Wi-Fi wasn't reliable immediately after landing, so accessing the email could have been difficult if I hadn't saved it offline.

My experience at Mumbai Airport was slightly different. I traveled from Canada and completed the e-Arrival Card before departure. I had both a printed copy and the QR code on my phone.

Interestingly, the immigration officer never asked to see either one. They scanned my passport, verified everything on their system, asked a couple of routine questions, and that was it.

I think carrying a printed copy is simply a backup. In many cases, the digital QR code seems to be enough, but requirements and officer preferences can differ depending on the airport and the circumstances.

I arrived at Delhi from the UK about two weeks ago and only used the QR code on my phone. Before boarding, I downloaded the confirmation PDF so I could access it without internet, and that turned out to be useful.

At immigration, the officer asked me to open the QR code. They scanned it quickly, checked my passport and e-Visa, asked where I was staying, and stamped my passport. I wasn't asked for a printed copy at any point.

That said, I'd still recommend saving the confirmation in more than one place. My phone battery was almost empty after the flight, so having a power bank would have made me feel more comfortable.