Kolkata Joins Cities Offering Fast Track Immigration Service for Frequent Flyers
A new, streamlined immigration process has been introduced at seven major international airports in India, aiming to drastically reduce wait times and enhance the travel experience for frequent flyers. The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP), launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, promises to reduce the typically long immigration queues to a fraction of the time, offering a seamless, automated process that has been met with optimism among frequent travellers.
The service, which was first introduced at Delhi’s Terminal 3 last June, has now expanded to Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad airports. Designed to expedite immigration clearance for pre-approved passengers, the programme provides dedicated fast lanes at immigration checkpoints, enabling travellers to bypass long queues. The move comes at a time when increasing international travel demands smarter, more efficient airport services. By enrolling in the FTI-TTP, travellers can experience a much quicker immigration clearance process. This begins with the submission of biometric data via an online application process, accessible through the official portal at ftittp.mha.gov.in. Upon approval, travellers can schedule an appointment for biometric enrolment at designated centres, including the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or the relevant airport. Once the data is collected, the traveller is officially enrolled, and the process becomes valid for five years, or until the expiry of the passport, whichever comes first.
The true innovation of this programme lies in its automation. At Kolkata airport, where the service has recently been implemented, eight e-gates—four for arrivals and the remaining for departures—have been set up to reduce human intervention during the immigration process. These automated gates, designed to quickly verify a traveller’s identity, have been a game-changer in reducing delays at the often-crowded immigration checkpoints.
“To use the e-gate, a traveller simply scans their boarding pass and passport. After verification, the first flap gate opens, allowing the traveller to place a finger on the fingerprint reader and proceed with the photo verification. Once validated, the second flap gate opens, signifying immigration clearance,” explains an airport official. In total, the process at the e-gate takes just 30 seconds—an incredible reduction from the time-consuming traditional methods that can sometimes take upwards of an hour, particularly during peak travel times. Kolkata’s airport, which handles over 5,500 international flyers daily, is notorious for its congestion, especially when multiple flights arrive at the same time. Frequent travellers like Sachin Agarwal, who frequently commutes between Kolkata and Bangkok, have long been vocal about the inefficiency of the traditional immigration process. “It often gets chaotic when several flights land at once, and the long wait to pass through immigration can be frustrating. This new service will undoubtedly save time and reduce stress,” Agarwal remarked.
The FTI-TTP is not just about convenience; it also has security benefits. By employing biometrics and automated systems, the service offers a more secure and efficient way to manage immigration. The digital data collected throughout the process is designed to enhance the screening capabilities of security personnel, ensuring that only those who meet the necessary criteria for entry are cleared. Moreover, the program aims to improve the overall passenger experience, aligning with broader efforts to modernise Indian airports and make them more competitive on the global stage.
However, there are some requirements that applicants must meet before enrolling. Travellers must ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months from the date of application. Additionally, they must upload a recent passport-size photograph and a copy of their passport to the registration portal. Despite the promise of faster and more efficient processing, there remains some apprehension among frequent flyers, who are wary of relying on a service that has yet to be tested at scale. Nonetheless, the response from passengers and airport officials alike has been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that the FTI-TTP could soon become a permanent feature in Indian airports, paving the way for future innovations in immigration technology.
With the government’s focus on modernising airport infrastructure and improving traveller experience, the introduction of FTI-TTP signals a move towards more sustainable, eco-friendly practices that also contribute to a better global reputation for India’s aviation sector. As the program expands, it will not only ease the burden on both travellers and airport staff but also position India as a leader in adopting smart, digital solutions for the future of air travel.