India Launches Fast Track Immigration Programme, Here's Everything To Know

Traveling internationally and taking that first international flight is always fun and exciting. However, one factor that all travelers and tourists tend to dread is the immigration queue. Regardless of which country you are flying to, the immigration process in your respective city in India can sometimes be daunting. To help ensure a more pleasant experience at immigration, India has launched the Fast Track Immigration programme. Here’s everything you need to know.

From January 16, seven airports across India - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad have implemented the 'Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Program' (FTI-TTP). This initiative will let Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders enjoy a faster, smoother, and more secure immigration clearance process for international travel. The program was first introduced on June 23, 2024, at Terminal 3 of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Using this programme, registered travelers can bypass regular queues and use e-gates or automated border gates for quicker immigration clearance. If you’re already excited about how this works, here’s everything you should know.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Fast Track Immigration Programme

- If you're interested in this program, visit the official website to complete the required information.

- The FTI-TTP registration will be valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first.

- After completing the details on the website, you need to submit them for verification to the Bureau of Immigration. Once your application is processed, you will receive a notification to book an appointment for biometric data submission.

- You can provide your biometrics at designated international airports in India or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

- Remember that submitting biometric data is a compulsory step in this process. Once this is done, your membership will be tied to the validity of your passport.

The program will phase out in two phases. The first phase will focus on Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, while the second phase will extend to foreign travelers. So if you travel quite frequently, hurry, get this one done.