Fast-track immigration in India explained: Who can use it and how it works

International passengers at several Indian airports can now bypass conventional immigration counters and complete clearance through biometric e-gates under the government’s Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP). The system is aimed particularly at frequent international travellers, allowing registered passengers to complete immigration formalities in a matter of seconds.

The programme is currently operational at 13 airports, while Goa has received approval to join the network. Unlike DigiYatra, however, travellers cannot simply walk up to an FTI-TTP gate and use it. They must first register for the programme and complete biometric enrolment.

What is FTI-TTP?

FTI-TTP is a biometric-based immigration clearance system introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It allows pre-verified travellers to use automated e-gates instead of going through the regular immigration counter.

At the e-gate, a passenger scans the passport and undergoes biometric verification. Once the system establishes the traveller's identity against the information registered with the programme, immigration clearance is processed electronically.

The facility can be used for both international departures from India and arrivals into the country. The government says the automated process can bring immigration clearance time down to under 30 seconds for eligible passengers.

Who is eligible?

The programme is open to Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

There are, however, some exclusions. Indian passport holders whose passports fall under the Emigration Check Required, or ECR, category cannot enrol in the programme. Children below seven years of age are also not eligible.

Children between seven and 18 years can be registered, with the email address and mobile number of a parent or guardian used during the process.

There is no registration or membership fee for FTI-TTP.

How can travellers register?

Registration has to be completed before a traveller can access the e-gates. Applicants can enrol through the official FTI-TTP portal operated by the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The process begins with verification of the applicant's email address and mobile number. Applicants are required to provide their details and upload documents, including a recent photograph and scanned copies of the relevant passport pages. OCI cardholders must also provide their OCI documents. The passport should have at least six months' validity at the time of application.

Registration online alone does not complete the process. Applicants must subsequently provide fingerprints and a facial image for biometric enrolment at a designated international airport or Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

The entire registration process can take up to a month, making it advisable for travellers to apply well before their planned international journey.

How does it work at the airport?

Once registration and biometric enrolment have been approved, a passenger can proceed to the designated FTI-TTP e-gates at a participating international airport.

The traveller scans the passport at the gate, after which the system verifies the passenger using the biometric information stored during enrolment. If the verification is successful, immigration clearance is processed automatically and the gate opens.

The system therefore eliminates the need for eligible travellers to queue at a staffed immigration counter in normal circumstances.

Passengers must still carry their passports. Registration under FTI-TTP does not replace the passport or other documents required for international travel.

Which airports have the facility?

FTI-TTP e-gates are currently available at 13 airports across India:

Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Lucknow, Amritsar, Calicut, Trivandrum and Trichy.

Goa has also been approved for activation of the facility, expanding the programme further as the government seeks to introduce automated immigration clearance at more international gateways.

The programme was initially launched at Delhi airport before being expanded to major airports including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad. Further expansion subsequently brought Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode and Amritsar into the network.

Is it the same as DigiYatra?

No. FTI-TTP and DigiYatra are separate systems serving different purposes.

DigiYatra primarily facilitates passenger movement through various stages of the airport using facial recognition technology. Registration with DigiYatra does not automatically make a passenger eligible to use fast-track immigration gates.

A traveller who uses DigiYatra must separately register for FTI-TTP and complete the required biometric enrolment before accessing the immigration e-gates.

How long does registration remain valid?

Once approved, FTI-TTP membership can remain valid for up to 10 years, subject to conditions linked to the traveller's passport and programme rules. This makes the system particularly useful for people who travel abroad regularly.

The larger objective is to shift immigration clearance for pre-verified, low-risk travellers from manual counters to automated biometric processing. For passengers, the immediate advantage is simpler: shorter queues and significantly faster movement through immigration at participating airports.