India: “Fast Track” Trusted Traveler Program Implemented
June 26, 2024
Country / Territory
Share
At a Glance
- On June 21, 2024, the government of India announced that the “Fast Track Immigration- Trusted Travelers’ Program” (FTI-TTP) has been launched to speed up the immigration clearance process for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards.
- The FTI-TTP allows Indian nationals and OCI card holders who are registered with the program to utilize e-gates and bypass regular immigration lines free of charge.
- The FTI-TTP will be implemented in phases at airports in India, with the program already open, since June 21, 2024, at the following eight airports: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
The situation
On June 21, 2024, the government of India announced that the “Fast Track Immigration- Trusted Travelers’ Program” (FTI-TTP) has been launched to speed up the immigration clearance process for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards.
A closer look
- FTI-TTP program. The FTI-TTP allows Indian nationals and OCI card holders who are registered with the program to utilize e-gates and bypass regular immigration lines free of charge. Specifically, registered individuals scan their boarding pass and passport and have their biometrics authenticated at the e-gate. Upon verification, which should happen in seconds, immigration clearance will automatically be granted.
- Application process. In order to use the FTI-TTP program, eligible individuals must first apply online. The processing time is generally 30 days and, once approved, the applicant will receive a message to schedule their biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image). Foreign nationals with criminal records will likely be denied use of the program.
- Validity. The FTI-TTP registration is valid for a maximum of five years or until the passport they applied with expires, whichever comes first.
- Phased implementation. The FTI-TTP is being implemented in phases, with the first phase being rolled out at eight major airports in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai. It will eventually be extended to a total of 21 airports in India.
- Regular immigration clearance policy. Indian nationals and OCI card holders who are not registered with the FTI-TTP program, along with all other foreign nationals, are required to follow the regular immigration clearance process at airports.
Impact
The FTI-TTP will allow eligible individuals to obtain immigration clearances at select airports more quickly.
Background
The FTI-TTP program was modeled off of the United States Global Entry Program which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low risk travelers.
Looking ahead
Fragomen will provide further updates on the implementation of the FTI-TTP once they are available.
Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in India. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
