International passengers departing from India will no longer need to get their boarding passes stamped at immigration counters from September 1. The Bureau of Immigration has introduced the change as part of an effort to make immigration clearance faster and more convenient for travellers.
The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) on Monday announced that international travellers can use e-boarding passes displayed on their smartphones during immigration clearance at Indian airports beginning September 1, as the procedure of physically stamping these documents has been eliminated.
The agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the "important advisory" on its X page, saying the move meant "less paper, fewer steps and smoother travel."
The government said in its post that starting September 1, international travellers can "go digital" as e-boarding passes are now accepted.
"International travellers can use e-boarding passes displayed on their smartphones during immigration clearance. FTI-TTP (Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program) enrolled travellers can also use them at e-gates," it said.
The authority added that "boarding passes will no longer be stamped during immigration clearance."
The official agency said physical boarding passes will, however, continue to be accepted.
According to a post shared by DD News, the revised process will allow passengers to present either an electronic boarding pass on their mobile phone or a physical copy at immigration. However, immigration officers will no longer stamp the boarding pass.
The move removes an additional physical step from the immigration process and is expected to make clearance more convenient for international travellers.
Boarding pass stamping to end at immigration counters
Under the existing process, international passengers departing from India may need to show their boarding passes while completing immigration formalities. The document could then receive an immigration stamp.
However, according to an internal communication by Delhi FRRO Deepak Yadav, viewed by Hindustan Times, the requirement for immigration officers to stamp boarding passes will be discontinued from September 1.
The Bureau of Immigration has also informed airport operators, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other stakeholders about the revised procedure, according to reports.
E-boarding passes will be accepted at immigration
One of the key changes is that passengers will be able to use their e-boarding passes at immigration counters.
Travellers who have their boarding pass saved on their mobile phones will therefore not need to print a copy simply for immigration stamping.
Passengers who prefer to carry a physical boarding pass can continue to do so. However, the document will no longer receive an immigration stamp under the revised system.
Why is boarding pass stamping being discontinued?
The change has been introduced to simplify the immigration clearance process and remove an additional physical step at the counter, according to DD News.
The earlier requirement could also create inconvenience when stamps were unclear or difficult to read. Removing the stamping process is therefore expected to make the procedure more straightforward for passengers and immigration staff.
What international passengers need to know
From September 1, international passengers departing from India will still need to complete the required immigration formalities, but their boarding passes will no longer be stamped by immigration officers.
Travellers can:
- Show an electronic boarding pass on their mobile phone
- Carry a printed boarding pass if they prefer
- Complete immigration clearance without getting the boarding pass stamped
The change applies to international passengers departing from India and is aimed at making the immigration process quicker and more convenient.
Airport authorities, CISF personnel and other stakeholders are expected to inform passengers about the revised procedure ahead of its implementation, according to reports.
Inputs from TOI
