No More Immigration Stamps on Boarding Passes From Sept 1

New Delhi: The practice of stamping immigration clearance on boarding passes at international airports across India is being discontinued. From September 1, outbound passengers will no longer need to present a physical boarding pass at the immigration counter. The new rule applies to all airports in the country.

The Bureau of Immigration said the change is aimed at simplifying travel procedures and speeding up immigration clearance. Passengers may now use an e-boarding pass on their phone for immigration clearance. While printed boarding passes remain acceptable, officers will no longer stamp them. Both digital and physical boarding passes will be accepted equally at counters.

The new rule applies to passengers travelling abroad. The decision follows widespread complaints that immigration stamps were making boarding pass details difficult to read and were adding to processing time. Instructions regarding the new order have been issued to airport operators and agencies including the CISF.

A move to also do away with entry and exit stamps in the passports of Indian passport holders during immigration is also under consideration. Authorities said a pilot programme is under way and, if successful, will be extended to airports as the next step.