Fast track immigration to be introduced in Delhi and 20 other airports
The fast track program will be implemented in 20 other cities within the next few days.
With the intention of reducing the time needed to complete the legal immigration from 30 minutes to mere seconds, the Center has launched the fast-track program at the Indira Gandhi airport in Delhi. The fast track program will be implemented in 20 other cities within the next few days.
The Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveler Programme (FTI-TTP), recently launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at the International Airport of Delhi on June 22, applies biometrics to provide pre-verified flyers with a trouble-free immigration service on departure and arrival zones. This program has been initiated to introduce seven big airports at first, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Cochin, and this will be spread up to 21 airports throughout the country in the near future.
Eligibility and Application Process for Fast Track Immigration
While speaking to NDTV, a senior MHA official said, “India is becoming an international destination, and this program is being introduced to make travel experiences seamless and effortless for all. Eligible passengers will be allowed to utilize automated gates (e-gates) and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey.”
He further added, “This program will soon start in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, and then in other cities. Under it, the immigration process of pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders is done within seconds. The aim is to facilitate international mobility with a faster, smoother, and more secure immigration clearance.” According to him, FTI-TTP has been ‘on trial’ in Delhi airport, and 18,400 people (both Indian passport and OCI card holders) have shown interest.
The FTI-TTP is being implemented through a portal, and the Bureau of Immigration is the nodal agency for fast-track immigration of various categories of travelers under this scheme. On validation, the passengers are moved to the ‘White List of Trusted Travelers’ fed for implementation through the e-gates. The biometrics of the ‘Trusted Traveler’ as they passed through the gates are taken either at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office or airports.
After reaching the e-gates, the registered passengers scan the boarding pass with the details of the flight provided by the airline on it. The passport is also scanned, and the biometrics of the passenger are also verified. The e-gate would then open automatically once the state determines that the passenger is the rightful owner and biometric verification is completed; therefore, immigration clearance is deemed to be granted.
Eligible candidates can submit their application at www.ftittp.mha. go to its web site at http://www.gov.in and give the services that the Bureau of Immigration demands so as to confirm his or her identity. Once their applications are successful, they will receive a notification that they may make an appointment for the capture of biometrics at an international airport or the nearest Foreign Regional Registration Office.
The registry of the FTI will hence be valid for a maximum of five years or the validity of the passport, whichever is earlier. The state authorities informed us that biometric enrolment is mandatory and the minimum length of passport validity required at the time of applying for the FTI-TTP is six months.
The program that will also reduce the role of human beings in the process of immigration will be rolled out in two phases only, according to an official. Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card will be included in the first phase, while foreigners will be included in the second phase. The Union home ministry has also shared a help desk email ID: [email protected]
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