18,400 individuals on first list for quicker immigration processing

New Delhi: High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Chief Executive Officers (CEO), businessmen and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) are part of India's first Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP). As many as 18,400 individuals, frequent global travellers and OCI card holders have been registered in the programme online for availing the service, said a senior home ministry official.

Besides Delhi's IGI Airport, the services in the first phase will be made operational at major airports including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad. According to officials, 60% faster immigration clearance to 1,500 passengers have been granted through e-Gates so far. The facility will be expanded to 21 airports.

When asked about the personal data of those enrolled for the programme, a senior official said, "the personal data is safe and secure and details are not to be shared." As per the programme, "Eligible individuals can apply online for the fast-track immigration facility. Those with approved applications are called to submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) at the international airports in India or the Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRRO)."

The programme was started in June this year by the union home ministry where it said that registration will be valid for up to five years, or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first. "FTI-TTP aims to facilitate international mobility with faster, smoother, secure immigration clearance. In the initial phase, it has been started for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders on a gratis basis," explained another official.

The Delhi airport, owned by the GMR Group, has equipped terminal 3 with eight electronic gates -- four for arrivals and four for departures -- to facilitate fast-track immigration under process. "The programme allows Indian passport holders and OCI cardholders to utilise these e-gates, bypass regular emigration/immigration queues, and enjoy a smoother journey," added the official cited above.

The trusted travellers programme is a replica of the US global entry programme but tailored to suit Indian needs, at international airports, said officials. The decision was made after the US offered to include India in its trusted travellers programme. The US Global Entry provides the pre-check benefit and expedited US Customs and Border Protection screening for international air travellers when entering the United States with valid documents.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/18400-individuals-on-first-list-for-quicker-immigration-processing/articleshow/113502015.cms