Context: 

Recently, the Union Home Minister inaugurated the Fast-Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at various airports from Ahmedabad. 

More on the News:

• FTI-TTP will be implemented at 21 major airports across the country. In the first phase, in addition to Delhi, it has been inaugurated at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad airports.
• The FTI-TTP is similar to the Global Entry Program offered by the United States that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in America in select airports.
• FTI-TTP was launched in June 2024 at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi.

Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP):

• It facilitates international mobility with faster, smoother and more secure immigration clearance for Indian Nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) passengers arriving from other countries.
• This facility has been launched free of cost for Indian citizens and OCI cardholders.
• The FTI-TTP program is implemented through an online portal.
• To enrol, applicants must complete online registration (Valid for 5 years or passport validity) by providing their details and uploading the required documents on the portal.
• Biometric data of registered applicants will be captured either at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or at the airport.
• The Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal agency for programme implementation.
• It is a significant initiative under the ‘Viksit Bharat’@2047 vision.

Process of FTI-TTP implementation:

• At both arrival and departure points, registered travellers will scan their airline boarding pass and passport at the e-gates.
• The traveller’s biometrics will be authenticated at the e-gates.
• Once biometric authentication is successful, the e-gate will automatically open, granting immigration clearance.

• The programme will be implemented in two phases. 

• 1st phase: For Indian citizens and OCI cardholders. 
• 2nd phase: For Foreign travellers.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI):

• The OCI Scheme was introduced in August 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act of 1955, to allow Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to register as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

• OCI Card Holders are foreign nationals, with the following conditions 

(i) who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950.

(ii) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950.

(iii) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947.

(iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen.

(v) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above.

(vi) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India - is eligible for registration as an OCI cardholder.

Benefits of OCI:

• OCI is granted a multiple-entry, life-long visa to visit India and is exempt from registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer, regardless of the stay duration.
• The OCI holder has general parity with Non-Resident Indians in economic, financial, and educational fields, except for acquiring agricultural or plantation properties.