Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) in five more airports, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad. The programme will expedite the immigration process of pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders in five more airports.
The FTI-TTP programme was first rolled out at Indira Gandhi International Airport here in July 2024, which was later expanded to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad airports.
A traveller can avail the facility by applying through the government website www.ftittp.mha.gov.in. Eligible applicants should submit biometrics fingerprints and a facial photograph along with other necessary information. The Bureau of Immigration will verify the information, and aproved applications would receive a message to schedule an appointment to provide their biometrics details at designated international airports in India or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The applicants need a minimum passport validity of at least six months. After necessary verification, a White List of 'Trusted Travellers' will be generated and fed for implementation through e-gates. Once the genuine identity of the passenger is established and biometric authentication is done, the e-gate will open automatically, and immigration clearance will be deemed to have been granted.
"Fast Track Immigration: Trusted Traveller Programme makes immigration simpler, faster and hassle-free," the minister said at a special programme held virtually. He added that the OCI cardholders and Indian citizens travelling abroad will receive the maximum benefit under the programme, adding that three lakh people have registered and 2.65 lakh have availed the facility so far.
“The programme ensures faster immigration clearance. Several thousand passengers have been granted faster immigration clearance through e-gates till now,” officials added.
The programme, which resembles the Global Entry Program offered by the US, will eventually be launched at 21 major airports in the country. Eligible passengers will be allowed to utilise e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey. The FTI registration will be valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first.
The programme will be implemented in two phases -- for Indian citizens and OCI cardholders in the first, and foreign travellers in the second. The Union home ministry also shared a support help desk email ID -- india.ftittp-boi@mha.gov.in.