Interior Ministry officials said the aim is to ensure smooth international travel.
New Delhi:
In order to reduce the time taken for completing the immigration process from a minimum of 30 minutes to a few seconds, the Centre has introduced a fast-track programme at Delhi airport. This programme will soon be extended to 20 other cities.
Under the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller (FTI-TTP) programme introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 22, biometrics are being used to provide pre-verified travellers with a seamless immigration experience, both at departure and arrival.
The program is currently being expanded to seven major airports: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad. Soon, the program will be available at 21 airports in the country.
“India is becoming an international destination and this scheme is being introduced to make the travel experience smooth and effortless for all. Eligible passengers will be allowed to use e-gates and bypass the normal immigration queues for a smooth journey,” a senior MHA official told NDTV.
“This programme will soon be launched in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, and then in other cities. The immigration process of pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders will be completed within seconds. The aim is to facilitate international mobility with faster, smoother and more secure immigration clearance,” the official added.
According to him, FTI-TTP has already become a success at Delhi airport with 18,400 persons (Indian passport and OCI card holders) having registered for it.
How it works
The FTI-TTP is implemented through an online portal and the Bureau of Immigration is the central agency for expeditious immigration of various categories of travelers under this program.
After due verification, passengers are added to a White List of 'Trusted Travellers' which is entered for implementation through e-gates. Biometrics of the 'Trusted Traveller' passing through the gates are recorded at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office or at airports.
When registered passengers reach the e-gates, they scan the boarding pass issued by the airlines to get the details of their flight. The passport is also scanned and the biometric details of the passenger are verified.
Once the passenger's identity is established and biometric authentication is performed, the e-gate opens automatically and it is deemed that the immigration formalities have been cleared.
How to apply
Eligible persons must apply online at www.ftittp.mha.gov.in and provide the required details, which will be verified by the Bureau of Immigration. Once their applications are approved, they will receive a message to schedule an appointment for providing their biometric details at international airports or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
The FTI registration is valid for up to five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first. Officials said that providing biometric data is mandatory and applicants must have a passport valid for at least six months while applying for the FTI-TTP.
The programme, which will also minimise human intervention in the immigration process, will be implemented in two phases, an official said. Indian citizens and OCI card holders will be processed in the first phase and foreigners will be included in the next phase.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also shared an email address for the helpdesk: [email protected]
