Mumbai Airport’s Fast Track Immigration Program Delayed Until Further Notice
The much-anticipated launch of the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP) at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has been postponed. Originally slated for December 30, 2024, the launch has now been delayed indefinitely by the Bureau of Immigration. While no new date has been officially announced, sources suggest that the delay is due to the national mourning period following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The FTI-TTP program was introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite immigration processing for both Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). This biometrics-based system, designed to streamline the clearance process, was first launched at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in June 2024. With a goal to cover 21 airports across the country, the program was initially set to roll out in phases, with Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad among the first airports to benefit from the new system.
At present, Delhi’s airport has already enrolled around 19,000 passengers in the program, with users praising the faster, more efficient process. The FTI-TTP allows eligible travelers to use e-gates, bypassing the traditional immigration counters. The biometric system verifies passenger details via fingerprint and facial recognition, offering a much quicker clearance compared to standard processes. Travelers opting for the FTI-TTP can sign up at the airport during their first usage, providing biometric data, including a passport-size photo, passport scans, proof of address, and, if applicable, an OCI card. The process also allows for registration through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) by appointment.
Despite the delay, the FTI-TTP is expected to be a significant improvement for international passengers, especially as air travel is expected to surge in 2025. As per the Bureau of Immigration, it may take up to one month for travelers to complete the registration process, and once enrolled, the data is saved for subsequent use during international travel. The delay at CSMIA, though an inconvenience for passengers eager to take advantage of the new system, is understandable given the national mourning. The Fast Track Immigration program, once launched, is expected to greatly ease congestion at immigration counters, particularly during peak travel times, and provide smoother and faster experiences for frequent international travelers.
