Shah unveils seamless airport journeys via e-gates

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at five more airports in India. This programme is designed to make immigration quicker and easier for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders who have been pre-verified.

The FTI-TTP was first introduced at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in July 2024. Soon after, it expanded to seven major airports - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad. On this occasion, the programme was rolled out at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode, and Amritsar, bringing the benefits to even more travellers across the country.

Speaking at a virtual event, Amit Shah said the programme is aimed at making immigration “simpler, faster, and hassle-free.” He emphasized that Indian citizens and OCI card holders travelling abroad would gain the most from this initiative. So far, about 3 lakh people have registered, and 2.65 lakh have already used the service, according to officials.

The FTI-TTP ensures that travellers can bypass long immigration lines and receive faster clearance at airports through e-gates. This feature has already benefited thousands of passengers, making their travel experience smoother and more convenient. Initially, the programme is offered free of cost, making it accessible to a large number of eligible travellers.

The programme is modelled on the Global Entry Program in the United States, which allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to enjoy expedited immigration clearance at airports. In India, the FTI-TTP will eventually be available at 21 major airports, allowing approved travellers to skip regular immigration queues for a seamless journey.

To use the programme, travellers need to apply online at www.ftittp.mha.gov.in and submit required details, including biometric information such as fingerprints and a facial image. The Bureau of Immigration will verify these details. Once approved, travellers receive a message to schedule an appointment at a designated airport or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to provide their biometrics.

Applicants need to have a passport valid for at least six months, and the registration will remain valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

The FTI-TTP will be implemented in two phases: the first phase covers Indian citizens and OCI card holders, and the second phase will extend the facility to foreign travellers. The Bureau of Immigration will act as the main agency overseeing the programme. Once verification is complete, a White List of Trusted Travellers will be created, allowing e-gates to automatically grant immigration clearance once biometric authentication is done.

For any assistance or questions, travellers can contact the support help desk at india.ftittp-boi@mha.gov.in.

With this initiative, India is taking a big step toward making airport travel faster, safer, and more convenient for frequent international travellers, reducing waiting times and streamlining the entire immigration process.