India drops boarding pass stamps for global flyers

Starting from September 1, international passengers flying from India will no longer need to present a physical boarding pass or have it stamped at immigration checkpoints, as per an internal communication reviewed by the Hindustan Times. While physical boarding passes will still be accepted at immigration counters, they will no longer require stamping.

Passengers are now permitted to present their electronic boarding passes at immigration for clearance. The Bureau of Immigration communicated this decision to all relevant parties, including airport operators and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Deepak Yadav, the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Delhi, confirmed that producing a physical boarding pass for stamping by an immigration officer will no longer be mandatory at all international airports across the country starting September 1.

This change was implemented in response to the inconvenience caused by the requirement for physical boarding passes, as well as instances of errors resulting from improper or incorrect stamping. The Bureau of Immigration reviewed the matter and has now decided to stop mandating physical boarding passes and their stamping at immigration counters at international airports.

Airport and aviation stakeholders have been asked to inform their staff about this change, which will take effect from September 1.