Fast Track Immigration: India's New Travel Programme

Written by

Shrishti Bajpai

Fact check by

Divyansh Chaudhari

Updated on

Oct 08,2024

Fast Track Immigration: India's New Travel Programme- TerraTern

Planning your Canada PR
Free last minute checklist

The Indian government recently launched its Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP). The program aims at simplifying international travel. It is an innovative initiative that will speed up the immigration process of pre-approved, low-risk travellers in certain airports across the country.

Programme Overview

The FTI-TTP was launched on June 22, 2024, at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and is said to cut down immigration processing time from the traditional 30 minutes to mere seconds. The programme is the equivalent of the United States Global Entry system; it ensures faster, smoother, and quicker immigration clearance for eligible travellers.

Eligibility and Registration

At present, this scheme is open to Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. The process for registration is as follows:-

  • Online application through the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs

  • Verification of details by the Bureau of Immigration

  • Biometric enrollment at specified locations in fingerprints and facial image

  • Final approval and completion of registration

Before making an application, the applicant must ensure that the passport he holds shall remain valid for more than six months. The registration made under FTI-TTP is valid for five years or upon expiry of the passport, which will precede it.

Read More: Understanding Australia 2024 Visa Application Charge Change

How Does it Work?

Sponsored travelers shall benefit from dedicated e-gates in the participating airports when reporting or exiting the country. This entails,

  • Scrutiny of the boarding card by the first e-gate

  • Scrutiny of the passport

  • Facial recognition by the second e-gate

  • Automated Immigration clearance

This automated mechanism essentially minimizes human interaction, thereby reducing processing times considerably and enhancing efficiency in general.

 

Participating Airports

The FTI-TTP was a pilot project first inaugurated at Delhi's IGI Airport. However, the government has high hopes that this scheme will be implemented in 20 other cities as well. The second phase will cover seven major airports as follows:

  • Mumbai

  • Chennai

  • Kolkata

  • Bengaluru

  • Hyderabad

  • Cochin

  • Ahmedabad

Benefits to Travellers

The FTI-TTP has the following benefits for the travellers:

  • The immigration process is reduced to a very short duration

  • Travellers are permitted to have dedicated e-gates, thereby saving time and avoiding long queues in the regular immigration halls

  • Security measures are improved through biometric checks

  • Overall, the travelling experience becomes better

The scheme will have 18,400 participants registered by September 2024. So far, it has benefited 1,500 passengers as they pass through e-gates at a quicker pace in Delhi.

Future Expansions and International Collaborations

While the program is open for Indian nationals and an OCI cardholder presently, it will be opened to international visitors in later phases. This aligns with international trends of trusted traveller programs and would result in reciprocal agreements with other countries as well.

Comparison with International Programs

The FTI-TTP model is modelled after all other country-specific trusted traveller programs:

  • United States: Global Entry

  • Australia and New Zealand: SmartGate

  • Germany: EasyPASS

  • South Korea: Smart Entry Service

  • Singapore: Automated Enhanced-Immigration Clearance System (eIACS)

These programs share the same objective of expediting immigration processes for prescreened, low-risk passengers while maintaining both security and productivity at international borders.

Implementation Issues and Solutions

Although any new system has a gestation period, the FTI-TTP is not exempt from some of these:

  • Technology integration in several airports
  • Officer training who would assist passengers in using the new system
  • Data privacy and security

To address these, the government often consults with airport authorities and technology providers to make sure that the rollout and execution of the program are as smooth as possible.

Impacts on Tourism and Business Travel

With the FTI-TTP, wait times in India are reduced and the process of entry is streamlined such that India becomes more appealing to international visitors and investors.

Read More: Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling Abroad in 2024

 

Conclusion

FTI-TTP is yet another major stride in the modernisation of the Indian immigration process. It harnesses the efficiency of technology with safety to bring India to par with the best practices in border management worldwide. If this program takes shape in other airports and eventually overseas travellers, it can revolutionise the international travel experience both from India and to India. It accelerates tourism, business, and overall global connectivity into and out of the country.

Enrollment in FTI-TTP would, for frequent travellers to India, add the richness of a travel experience, making the process of entry and exit smoother and faster. As the program progresses, it will be interesting to know whether this could become a springboard from which the country realises its desired position globally on the travel landscape and in bilateral relations with other countries' trusted traveller programs. To learn more about immigration and to find easy ways to immigrate to your favourite destinations, you must contact TerraTern right now!

Get all the details on Australia PR with this visa checklist

Why Trust TerraTern

At TerraTern, we adhere to a stringent editorial policy emphasizing factual accuracy, impartiality and relevance. Our content, curated by experienced industry professionals. A team of experienced editors reviews this content to ensure it meets the highest standards in reporting and publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the FTI-TTP?

Currently, the FTI-TTP is open to Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. Applicants must have a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity at the time of application. The government plans to extend eligibility to foreign travelers in future phases of the programme.

How long is the FTI-TTP registration valid?

The FTI-TTP registration is valid for a maximum of five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. After this period, travelers will need to renew their registration to continue using the fast-track immigration service.

What is the process for registering for the FTI-TTP?

The registration process involves the following steps: 1. Submit an online application through the official website (www.ftittp.mha.gov.in) 2. Wait for verification of details by the Bureau of Immigration 3. Complete biometric enrollment (fingerprints and facial image) at designated locations 4. Receive final approval and registration confirmation

At which airports is the FTI-TTP currently available?

The FTI-TTP was initially launched at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 22, 2024. The government plans to expand the programme to 20 other cities, with the next phase including seven major airports: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad.

How does the FTI-TTP work at the airport?

Registered travelers can use dedicated e-gates at participating airports. The process works as follows: 1. Scan the boarding pass at the first e-gate 2. Scan the passport 3. Undergo facial recognition at the second e-gate 4. Receive automated immigration clearance This automated system minimizes human intervention, reducing immigration processing time from the usual 30 minutes to mere seconds.