In News:

• The Union Home Minister recently launched the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted TravellerProgramme (FTI-TTP) at five additional airports — Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode, and Amritsar — further expanding its coverage across the country.
• The initiative aims to provide seamless, secure, and faster immigration clearance for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders.

Background and Coverage

• Launch: First introduced at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in 2024.
• Latest Expansion: Now operational at 13 airports nationwide.
• Nodal Agency: Implemented by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Objectives

• To reduce waiting time at immigration counters.
• To enhance international mobility of Indian citizens and OCI cardholders.
• To ensure convenient yet secure border management using digital technology.

Enrollment and Process

• Online Registration: Applicants must apply via the official portal https://ftittp.mha.gov.in, providing personal details and uploading documents.
• Biometric Capture: Collected either at Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) or at the airport.
• Immigration Process at e-Gates:
  • Boarding pass scan to fetch flight details.
  • Passport scan for identity verification.
  • Biometric authentication (fingerprint/face scan).
  • Automated clearance — the e-gate opens within 30 seconds, eliminating the need for manual checks.
  • Validity: Enrollment remains valid until the passport expires or for five years, whichever is earlier, with provision for renewal.

Significance

• Cuts down long queues at airports, reducing clearance time to under 30 seconds.
• Aligns with India’s vision of Digital Governance and Smart Borders.
• Enhances traveller experience, particularly for frequent international flyers.
• Strengthens security protocols through biometric and digital verification.