Amit Shah Launches Fast Track Immigration at Five Airports

12 Sep 2025 CW Team

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Amit Shah said the initiative will enhance travellers’ convenience while introducing them to ongoing changes in the country. He stated that this programme marks the next phase of improving traveller experience, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Speed, Scale and Scope. “Along with technological tools, we must act as a trust multiplier, and today’s programme is a significant step in that direction,” he added.

Shri Shah explained that the FTI-TTP will offer seamless immigration facilities at the airports from today. He emphasised that merely providing convenience is insufficient; efforts must be made to ensure that the maximum number of travellers benefit from it. “Registration should be enabled at the time of issuing passports and OCI cards so that travellers need not return for fingerprinting or documentation. They can travel freely using their passports whenever required,” he said. He further urged that all technical possibilities be explored to maximise participation, noting that while Indian citizens would certainly benefit, OCI cardholders would gain the most.

The Union Home Minister described the programme as one that enhances both convenience and national security. He stated that the scheme was launched in 2024 from Delhi and later extended to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi and Ahmedabad airports. With today’s addition of five airports, the programme is now operational at 13 airports simultaneously. He mentioned plans to integrate it with the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports. Shri Shah highlighted the popularity of the initiative, noting that travellers no longer face long queues or manual checks and receive immigration clearance in just 30 seconds. Approximately 300,000 travellers have registered on the portal, with 265,000 having used the service, and efforts are being made to expand these numbers further.

He also pointed to the growth in international air traffic over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. “In 2014, 35.4 million Indians travelled abroad, which increased by approximately 73 per cent to 61.2 million in 2024. Similarly, the number of foreign visitors to India rose from 15.3 million in 2014 to about 20 million in 2024, an increase of roughly 31 per cent. Combined, the total number of passengers increased from 50.7 million in 2014 to 81.2 million in 2024, a growth of 60 per cent. Our goal should be to ensure that all Indian citizens and OCI cardholders benefit from this facility,” he stated.

The FTI-TTP has been implemented through an online portal at https://ftittp.mha.gov.in. Applicants must register online by submitting their details and uploading the required documents. Biometrics are collected at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or during airport transit. Registered travellers scan their boarding pass at the e-Gate, followed by their passport. The system verifies the traveller’s biometrics and grants immigration clearance automatically upon successful authentication.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode and Amritsar airports through video conferencing. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.Speaking at the occasion, Shri Amit Shah said the initiative will enhance travellers’ convenience while introducing them to ongoing changes in the country. He stated that this programme marks the next phase of improving traveller experience, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Speed, Scale and Scope. “Along with technological tools, we must act as a trust multiplier, and today’s programme is a significant step in that direction,” he added.Shri Shah explained that the FTI-TTP will offer seamless immigration facilities at the airports from today. He emphasised that merely providing convenience is insufficient; efforts must be made to ensure that the maximum number of travellers benefit from it. “Registration should be enabled at the time of issuing passports and OCI cards so that travellers need not return for fingerprinting or documentation. They can travel freely using their passports whenever required,” he said. He further urged that all technical possibilities be explored to maximise participation, noting that while Indian citizens would certainly benefit, OCI cardholders would gain the most.The Union Home Minister described the programme as one that enhances both convenience and national security. He stated that the scheme was launched in 2024 from Delhi and later extended to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi and Ahmedabad airports. With today’s addition of five airports, the programme is now operational at 13 airports simultaneously. He mentioned plans to integrate it with the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports. Shri Shah highlighted the popularity of the initiative, noting that travellers no longer face long queues or manual checks and receive immigration clearance in just 30 seconds. Approximately 300,000 travellers have registered on the portal, with 265,000 having used the service, and efforts are being made to expand these numbers further.He also pointed to the growth in international air traffic over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. “In 2014, 35.4 million Indians travelled abroad, which increased by approximately 73 per cent to 61.2 million in 2024. Similarly, the number of foreign visitors to India rose from 15.3 million in 2014 to about 20 million in 2024, an increase of roughly 31 per cent. Combined, the total number of passengers increased from 50.7 million in 2014 to 81.2 million in 2024, a growth of 60 per cent. Our goal should be to ensure that all Indian citizens and OCI cardholders benefit from this facility,” he stated.The FTI-TTP has been implemented through an online portal at https://ftittp.mha.gov.in. Applicants must register online by submitting their details and uploading the required documents. Biometrics are collected at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or during airport transit. Registered travellers scan their boarding pass at the e-Gate, followed by their passport. The system verifies the traveller’s biometrics and grants immigration clearance automatically upon successful authentication.

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