By Bl New Delhi
Copyright thehindubusinessline
In a move to enhance ease of travel, the Ministry of Home Affairs has expanded the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) to five more airports: Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar, as foreign travellers visiting India have gone up to 2 crore – a jump of 31 per cent over the last ten years.
This brings the total number of airports offering the seamless immigration facility to 18.
Programme enables sub-30-second immigration clearance
The programme, aimed primarily at Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, allows faster immigration clearance in under 30 seconds, eliminating the need for manual checks and long queues. It was first launched in 2024 at Delhi Airport and has since been rolled out at major hubs, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.
Amit Shah: facility ensures speed, security, and convenience
Inaugurating the expanded rollout via video conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the programme represents a step forward in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Speed, Scale, and Scope” in public services. “This facility not only enhances travel convenience but also introduces travellers to the pace of transformation in the country,” Shah said.
The Home Minister also announced plans to integrate the FTI-TTP with upcoming airports in Navi Mumbai and Jewar, Greater Noida, as part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise border control and passenger experience.
Shah said the programme is designed to be both convenient and secure. “We are not just providing comfort — we’re ensuring national security is maintained while reducing delays. Around 3 lakh people have already registered on the portal, and 2.65 lakh have used the facility while travelling,” he noted. He urged authorities to integrate the registration process with passport and OCI issuance to encourage greater participation.
The facility, implemented via the portal https://ftittp.mha.gov.in, allows travellers to register online by submitting personal details and uploading necessary documents. Biometrics can be submitted at FRRO offices or during airport transit. At the airport, registered travellers simply scan their boarding pass and passport at the e-Gate, where biometric verification is conducted before automatic immigration clearance.
Foreign arrivals rise 31% over decade; outbound travel up 73%
India’s rising global travel footprint underlines the programme’s growing relevance. According to data shared by Shah, foreign arrivals to India have increased by 31 per cent over the past decade — from 1.53 crore in 2014 to nearly two crore in 2024.
Outbound Indian travellers also rose significantly, from 3.54 crore in 2014 to 6.12 crore in 2024 — a push of 73 per cent. Combined, international travel traffic grew by 60 per cent over the decade.
The next goal, Shah added, is to ensure every Indian citizen and OCI cardholder benefits from this transformative facility.
Published on September 11, 2025
