UK Passport Holder Visiting India – e-Arrival Card Questions

I recently traveled from Birmingham to Bengaluru with my wife. We were both traveling on UK passports with Indian visas.

Neither the airline staff nor immigration officers requested our e-Arrival Card confirmation. However, one traveler in our queue had entered incorrect passport details when completing the form and was directed to a help desk before immigration.

That situation took additional time to resolve.

My suggestion would be to carefully review all passport and flight information before submitting the form. Even if the QR code isn't routinely checked, the information should match your travel documents exactly.

Requirements and airport procedures can also change, so it's always good to verify the latest guidance before departure.

My experience was slightly different.

I flew from Manchester to Mumbai in May as a UK passport holder visiting relatives. I completed the digital e-Arrival Card the day before travel.

At Mumbai Airport, there was an airport representative before the immigration counters who asked whether passengers had completed the online arrival process. I showed the QR code on my phone and was allowed to continue.

The immigration officer never requested it, but I did notice a few travelers searching through their emails to find the confirmation.

From what I observed, carrying a copy—either printed or digital—can save time if someone asks for it.

I traveled from London Heathrow to Delhi in April on a British passport with an Entry Visa.

I completed the e-Arrival Card about two days before departure and received a confirmation email with the QR code. At Heathrow, the airline check-in staff asked for my visa but did not ask about the arrival form.

When I landed in Delhi, immigration was straightforward. The officer reviewed my passport and visa and asked the purpose of my visit. I was never asked to show the QR code.

Even though it wasn't checked, I was glad I had a screenshot saved on my phone because airport internet access can sometimes be unreliable. Based on my experience, completing the form beforehand is worthwhile, even if verification isn't always visible.