According to the latest news reports, the Center has introduced a new fast-track immigration plan at the Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi, which will reduce the immigration process from 15-30 minutes to a few seconds. The program, known as the Faster Immigration Trusted Traveler Program (FTI-TTP), will soon be launched in 21 more cities in India.
FTI-TTP, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is a biometric a system designed to improve the immigration journey of pre-vetted travelers both at the time of arrival and at the time of departure. Preparations are already underway to expand the program to 7 major airports namely Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, while there are plans for other airports to adopt this program soon.
According to a senior MHA official, the aim of the program is to enable Indians to fly abroad seamlessly as India gradually becomes an international aviation hub. Eligible passengers will also be able to use automated gates (e-gates) instead of going through the standard immigration queue. The official said the move is expected to begin in the next few days in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata to simplify the immigration process for pre-vetted Indian citizens and OCI card holders.
FTI-TTP is already has proven its effectiveness at Delhi Airport, where 18,400 people, including Indian passport and OCI card holders, have registered for the program.
FTI-TTP is implemented online, with the Bureau of Immigration acting as the nodal agency, implementing expedited immigration for various categories of travelers. Once verified, passengers are whitelisted as "trusted travelers" to access the electronic gate. Information about these travelers is collected at the regional foreigner registration office or at the airport. .
At the electronic gate, checked-in passengers scan their boarding passes to obtain flight details. Their passports are also scanned and their biometrics are authenticated. Once your identity is confirmed, an electronic gateway automatically opens, granting immigration clearance.
How to apply?
Visa eligible individuals can apply online at www.ftittp.mha.gov.in, providing the necessary details, which will be verified by the Bureau of Immigration. Once approved, applicants will receive notification of an appointment to collect biometric data at international airports or the nearest regional alien registration office.
FTI registration is valid for a maximum of five years or until the passport expires, depending on of what comes first. Applicants must provide biometric data and ensure that their passports have at least six months of validity when applying for FTI-TTP.
Source: timesofindia
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