1. US citizen, I obtained a 5yr multi-entry e-visa in Jan 2023 which was stamped into my passport upon arrival in BOM in Feb 2023.

2. I renewed my passport in Aug 2023.

3. Upon arrival into BOM in Oct 2023, had to present both passports.

4. Next trip, arrived into BOM in Nov 2023 with both passports, asked Immigration Officer if he could transfer the stamped visa to the new passport so that I need not carry the old passport every time. He did so, stamping the visa into the new passport and keeping both the visa number and expiration date the same as the visa stamped on the old passport.

5. Arrived into BOM in Oct 2024 and Immig demanded old passport. After some polite discussion (I speak Marathi), he agreed to admit me this time, but warned me to carry my old passport in future. I asked what was the point of transfering the visa to the new passport if old passport needs to be presented. He had no answer.


Their logic eludes me, but as I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer would appreciate your insight as to the reasoning of stamping the visa into the new passport.