India’s first Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme, launched by the Central Government, has become a success with over 19,000 participants registered since June. Currently available only at Delhi Airport, this service will be expanded to 31 airports. Aiming to expedite immigration processing, the program offers faster, more secure clearance for Indian citizens and OCI cardholders.
The Fast Track Immigration—Trusted Traveler Program (FTI-TTP) is loosely modelled on the Global Entry program of US Customs and Border Protection. However, the end game is that biometrics are used to control smart gates, which allow you into the Indian borders. Bureau of Immigration is the nodal agency for fast track immigration of various categories of travelers under this program.
How to Sign Up for FTI-TTP?
The program mandates biometric submission for all applicants, without which enrolment is not possible. Eligible individuals must apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) and other required information as specified in the application form. The FTI registration is valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever is earlier and will be renewed thereafter. After necessary verification, a White List of ‘Trusted Travelers’ will be generated and fed for implementation through e-Gates.
Biometrics of the ‘Trusted Traveler’ passing through e-Gates will be captured at the FRRO office or at the time of passage of the registered traveler through the airport. Approved applications would receive a message to schedule an appointment to provide their biometric details.
To Register- https://ftittp.mha.gov.in/fti/
Where Can We Provide Our Biometrics?
Biometrics can be submitted through 31 Airports or nearest FRRO office as per prior appointment schedule which will be provided on registered email.
Here are list of all the airports around India where you can submit your biometrics. You need to validate your biometrics before departing from India.
How You Can Skip The Queue
As soon as the ‘registered passenger’ reaches the e-gates, he/she will scan his/her boarding pass issued by the airlines at the e-gates to get the details of his/her flight. The passport will also be scanned and biometric of the passenger will be authenticated at these e-gates. After the passenger’s genuine identity is confirmed and biometric authentication is completed, the e-gate will open automatically, granting immigration clearance.
The program mirrors the US global entry program. Following the US’s offer to include India in its trusted travelers program, India launched its own version in June 2024. The US Global Entry offers expedited US Customs and Border Protection screening for international travelers with valid documentation, providing pre-check benefits.
Since the US Customs and Border Protection introduced the Trusted Traveler Program/Global Entry over a decade ago, numerous countries have adopted various biometrics or smart-card-enabled formats. These innovations allow their citizens and other low-risk travelers to enter borders without the need for a border police/passport control officer to manually stamp their passport.
India’s similar program aims to offer the same convenience and efficiency, with enrolments opened on June 22, 2024.
The program has attracted frequent global travelers, OCI card holders, high net worth individuals, chief executive officers and businessmen. Officials report that the e-Gates have achieved 60-65% faster immigration clearance for passengers.
