India Has Stopped Stamping Boarding Passes at Immigration, Effective 1 September 2026

India's Bureau of Immigration has ended the practice of stamping boarding passes at departure immigration counters, a change that took effect on 1 September 2026 at international airports across the country. Departing international travellers no longer need to present a physical boarding pass to immigration officers or have it manually stamped before heading to their gate; an electronic boarding pass shown on a phone is now sufficient at the counter.

What has changed

The rule applies at immigration counters covering international departures from every airport in the country, rather than being limited to specific cities. Removing the manual stamping step, previously carried out on every departing passenger's boarding pass, is intended to speed up processing at peak departure times and ease queues during busy periods. Travellers who prefer a printed boarding pass can still use one, but it will no longer receive an immigration stamp either way.

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What hasn't changed

The update is limited to the departure stamping step and doesn't affect entry requirements into India: travellers still need a valid visa or e-Visa where applicable, and the digital e-Arrival Card introduced for foreign nationals and OCI cardholders in April 2026 remains in force on arrival. Passport stamping on arrival and departure by immigration itself is unaffected; it is specifically the boarding pass that is no longer stamped.

Confirm before you travel

As with any recently introduced procedural change, small variations in how it's applied can persist across different airports and airlines while staff and systems adjust; travellers should confirm current departure procedures with their airline or airport authority closer to their travel date rather than relying solely on this report.

Traveller tips

• An electronic boarding pass on your phone is now enough to clear immigration on international departure from India; a printed copy is optional.
• The change covers departure immigration only; arrival requirements, including visas and the e-Arrival Card, are unaffected.
• Keep your phone charged and your boarding pass easily accessible before reaching the immigration counter to avoid delays.
• Check with your airline if you need a physical stamp for any onward visa or entry requirement at your destination, since some countries may still expect one.