New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at five additional airports, allowing pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders to complete immigration faster.
The programme was first introduced at Indira Gandhi International Airport in July 2024 and expanded to seven more airports — Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad — two months later. The new additions include Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode, and Amritsar.
“Fast Track Immigration: Trusted Traveller Programme makes immigration simpler, faster, and hassle-free,” Shah said during a virtual event.
OCI card holders and Indian citizens travelling abroad will benefit the most. So far, three lakh people have registered, with 2.65 lakh having used the facility. Thousands of passengers have already received faster immigration clearance through e-gates, officials said.
The FTI-TTP, offered free during its initial phase, is designed to provide secure, smooth, and expedited immigration for Indian nationals and OCI card holders. The programme is modeled on the U.S. Global Entry Program, which allows pre-approved low-risk travellers to bypass regular immigration queues at select airports.
Eventually, the FTI-TTP will be available at 21 major Indian airports. Eligible passengers can use e-gates for seamless immigration clearance. Applicants must apply online, submit biometrics (fingerprint and facial image), and provide other required information. Registration is valid for up to five years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
Travellers can apply via www.ftittp.mha.gov.in, and approved applicants will be notified to schedule a biometric appointment at designated international airports or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Passports must have at least six months of validity.
The programme will be implemented in two phases: first for Indian citizens and OCI card holders, and later for foreign travellers. The Bureau of Immigration will act as the nodal agency, creating a “White List” of trusted travellers. Once verified, passengers will receive e-gate clearance automatically upon biometric authentication.
