Ask a Question
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 entered India through Bengaluru last month on an OCI card.
The immigration officer only looked at the QR code on my phone for a few seconds. I didn’t have a printed copy, and there was no problem.
However, if you’re travelling with family members, I’d recommend printing all confirmations. My friend was travelling with elderly parents, and having paper copies made things easier when they reached immigration.
The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for foreign passport holders and OCI cardholders, so the important thing is completing the form correctly within the allowed time window before arrival.
I travelled from London to Mumbai in July and only kept the QR code on my phone. Immigration scanned it without any issue.
That said, I also carried a printed copy in my passport folder as a backup. Phones run out of battery, internet sometimes fails, and airport Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable. The printout wasn’t required, but it gave me peace of mind.
My airline asked whether I had completed the e-Arrival Card during check-in, but they didn’t ask for a physical printout. The QR code on the phone was enough in my case. The official system links your submission to immigration records anyway.
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.
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.
Share Your Thoughts and Connect with Others.
I recently submitted my OCI application online and noticed that I made a mistake in one of the details. I am worried because I have already submitted the form and...
My wife and I are Indian citizens living in the United States, and we recently welcomed our newborn baby. We want to apply for an OCI card for our child...
I am currently living abroad and planning to apply for an OCI card. I was previously an Indian citizen, but I acquired foreign citizenship a few years ago. My Indian...
I am planning to apply for an OCI card for my minor child and want to make sure I have all the required documents ready before starting the application. My...
I recently acquired British citizenship and am planning to apply for an OCI card. Before starting the application, I want to confirm whether I must obtain an Indian passport surrender...
Hi everyone, I recently became a US citizen through naturalization and am planning to apply for an OCI card. I still have my last Indian passport, but I haven't completed...
I recently became a British citizen and have started the process of surrendering my Indian passport. I want to apply for an OCI card as soon as possible, but I...
I recently submitted my OCI card application from the USA, and I’m trying to figure out whether I can travel to India while the application is still being processed. I’m...
I’m currently living in California and planning a trip to India for about three weeks in December. I’m a U.S. citizen and will be travelling on my valid U.S. passport....
I recently became a British citizen after living in the UK for several years. Before moving abroad, I had a normal resident savings account in India, which was later converted...
Let Visament guide you to the perfect solution for all your queries.
I think this is similar to carrying a printed boarding pass even though mobile boarding passes are accepted.
India’s e-Arrival system is designed to be digital, and a phone screenshot is generally sufficient. However, I printed mine because I was travelling with family members and didn’t want to rely on one device.
Also, remember that the e-Arrival Card is different from an Indian visa or OCI card—it only provides arrival information for immigration purposes. The QR code links your submitted details to the immigration database.
For most travellers, a digital copy should work, but a printed version is an easy backup.