International travel rules in India have seen five important updates covering digital OCI cards, boarding passes, biometric immigration and online arrival forms.
The Bureau of Immigration shared the changes on September 15, 2026, ahead of the upcoming travel season.
International Travel Rules Get New Digital Changes
OCI cardholders can now download an electronic OCI card, or e-OCI, on their mobile phones.
The digital document can be presented along with the passport at immigration checkpoints and participating airlines, while the existing physical OCI card remains valid.
From July 8, 2026, newly issued OCI cards are being provided digitally.
OCI cardholders who receive a new passport or change certain personal details can also update the information online instead of applying for a fresh OCI card.
Passport details must be updated within 90 days of receiving a new passport. A US$25 late penalty applies when the update is made after that period.
Digital Boarding Passes Accepted at Immigration
International passengers can now show their digital boarding passes on their phones at immigration counters.
Travellers who prefer a physical boarding pass can still carry one, but physical boarding passes will no longer be stamped at immigration.
The change removes the need for travellers to depend on a printed boarding pass during immigration clearance and is part of efforts to make airport processing more digital.
Biometric E-Gates Expand Through FTI-TTP
The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme, or FTI-TTP, allows registered travellers to use biometric e-gates for faster immigration clearance.
The programme is free, and eligible travellers complete biometric enrolment using fingerprints and facial recognition.
Membership is valid for 10 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
The facility is currently available at 14 international airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Amritsar, Calicut, Trivandrum, Trichy and Navi Mumbai.
At the e-gate, travellers scan their passport and boarding pass before completing a face scan. Once the details are verified, the gate opens and there is no physical immigration stamp.
Foreign Travellers Get Online Arrival Card
Foreign nationals travelling to India can complete an e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival.
The form requires information including the traveller’s name, nationality, passport details, arrival date, recent travel history and contact or address details in India.
The e-Arrival Card can be submitted through the Indian Visa Online e-Arrival Portal or the Su-Swagatam mobile application.
OCI cardholders entering India are also required to complete the form, while Indian passport holders do not need to submit it.
These international travel rules are part of wider efforts to reduce paperwork and increase the use of digital and biometric systems at Indian airports.
