GUWAHATI: International passengers flying out of India will no longer be required to get their boarding passes stamped at immigration counters from September 1, 2026, as the Bureau of Immigration moves to simplify the departure process at international airports across the country.
ALSO READ: GST Raids Underway at Five Rubber Businesses in Assam's Sribhumi Over Suspected Tax Evasion
Under the revised procedure, passengers can present e-boarding passes on their smartphones at immigration counters for clearance. Physical boarding passes will also continue to be accepted, but immigration officials will no longer stamp them.
The Bureau of Immigration has communicated the change to airport authorities and other stakeholders, including international airport operators and the CISF. Airport and aviation personnel have been asked to sensitise passengers and staff about the revised procedure ahead of its implementation.
The decision follows concerns that the existing requirement to produce and stamp physical boarding passes caused inconvenience to passengers. Officials also noted instances where improper or incorrect stamping created difficulties in reading boarding-pass details.
The new procedure will apply to international departures from all international airports in India from September 1.
What changes from September 1?
– No mandatory immigration stamp on boarding passes.
– E-boarding passes on smartphones will be accepted.
– Physical boarding passes can still be carried and presented.
– The change will apply to international passengers departing from India.
– The revised procedure will be implemented at international airports across the country.
The change is aimed at making immigration clearance more convenient and reducing the need for physical handling of boarding passes during the departure process.