This initiative, backed by an investment of ₹1,800 crore, will continue to enhance India’s digital immigration and visa framework, overseeing everything from visa requests to passenger clearances at airports.
For travelers, this means visa applications will remain entirely online, with digital appointment scheduling and payments in place. The government noted that over the last five years, more than 91% of e-visa applications have been processed within 72 hours, significantly shortening pre-travel waiting times.
At airports, the government indicated that immigration clearance time has already been reduced to approximately 2.5–3 minutes per passenger, down from the previous 5–6 minutes. At certain major airports, eligible travelers can utilize automated e-gates through the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), reducing clearance time to roughly 30 seconds.
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The next stage of the scheme will introduce features such as mobile services and self-service kiosks at immigration checkpoints, designed to streamline the entry and exit processes. Infrastructure at immigration posts and registration offices will also see upgrades to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.
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The system currently functions across 117 immigration posts and a comprehensive network of registration offices nationwide, forming the foundation of India’s visa and immigration services.
The government asserts that the ongoing rollout aims to facilitate smoother travel to India while ensuring security protocols remain intact, as international passenger traffic continues its upward trend.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
