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I'm traveling from the USA to India next month on an Indian e-Visa and have already completed my India e-Arrival Card. After submitting the form, I received a confirmation email with the QR code, which I've saved on my phone and also downloaded as a PDF.
I'm wondering if it's necessary to print the QR code before I travel. I usually rely on digital copies of my travel documents, but I've read mixed opinions online. Some people say the QR code on a mobile phone is accepted without any issues, while others recommend carrying a printed copy just in case.
I'll be landing at Mumbai Airport, and this will be my first trip to India since the e-Arrival Card process was introduced. I'll also have my passport, approved e-Visa, return flight details, and hotel reservation with me.
For those who have recently traveled, were you asked to show a printed QR code, or was the digital version enough? Did the immigration officer scan the QR code, or did they simply verify your passport and visa electronically?
I know procedures can vary by airport and individual officer, so I'm mainly looking for recent experiences. I'd rather be prepared than run into avoidable issues after a long flight.
I flew from Toronto a few weeks ago. The digital QR code worked perfectly, but I also kept a PDF copy saved offline. I wasn't asked for the printed version, but having a backup gave me peace of mind during the trip.
I traveled from London to Delhi last month. I had the QR code saved on my phone, and immigration scanned it without asking for a paper copy. That said, I still carried a printout in my travel folder just in case my phone battery died or I had trouble accessing my email.
I flew from Australia to Bengaluru last month with my family. We only had digital copies of our e-Arrival Card confirmations because we forgot to print them before leaving.
Everything went smoothly. The officer asked whether we had completed the e-Arrival Card, and we showed the QR codes from our phones. There were no problems, and we cleared immigration without needing paper copies.
Even so, I'd recommend downloading the confirmation PDF before your flight so you can access it offline if your email isn't available after landing.
My experience at Delhi Airport was a little different. I traveled from the UK and carried both a printed confirmation and the QR code on my phone. Interestingly, the officer never asked for either one. They scanned my passport, confirmed my visa details in their system, asked where I was staying, and stamped my passport.
Based on my trip, the printed copy wasn't necessary, but I wouldn't leave home without one. It's a simple backup if your phone has any issues during travel.
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My experience was similar when traveling from the US. I only used the QR code on my phone, and there were no issues. However, travel requirements can vary, and airline staff sometimes ask to see travel documents before boarding. I now carry both a printed copy and a digital version whenever I travel internationally.