The Fast Track Immigration Program was recently launched by the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The main objective of this program is to facilitate the immigration process for Indian citizens and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holders. It is known as “Trusted Traveler Programme” (TTP). The sequence is specially designed for travelers who want to avoid long queues at immigration at international airports.
HTTP Program Outline
In which they will have to submit their biometric information and other required details. Under this program, Indian citizens and OCI card holders can register online in advance, once the registration process is completed, this service will be valid for a maximum of five years or till the validity of the passport.
Indian citizens will have to pay a fee of Rs 2,000 and OCI card holders will have to pay $100 for registration under TTP. This fee is a one-time fee and after this the passenger can avail special facilities during immigration. The aim of this program is to make the immigration process faster and smoother, so that passengers do not have to wait in long queues at the airport.
Model of TTP program in America
The TTP program has been started in India, but its model is inspired by the American Trusted Traveler Program (CBP- Customs and Border Protection). Under the Trusted Traveler Program run by CBP in the US, passengers are given special priority during immigration and customs. This program is applicable at all major airports in the US and is being run with great success.
Passengers registered under this program in the US get the benefit of Global Entry, which gives them special priority in customs and immigration processes after reaching the airport. This program is especially beneficial for those passengers who travel internationally regularly and want to save time.
Importance of TTP Program in India
There are many important aspects of the introduction of TTP Program in India, which make it a very beneficial scheme for travelers:
- Time Saving: The main objective of the TTP program is to save the time of travelers. Instead of standing in long queues at immigration, registered travelers will be given special priority, making their travel more smooth and stress-free.
- Use of modern technology: This program uses modern technology such as collection and verification of biometric data. This will not only speed up the immigration process, but will also be important from a security point of view.
- Increase in international travel: The implementation of the TTP program in India is likely to increase the number of international passengers. Especially those Indian citizens who frequently travel abroad will be able to take advantage of this facility and make their travel more convenient.
- Expansion to other airports: At present, this program has been started at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, but in the coming time it can also be implemented at other major international airports in India. This will improve the immigration process at all major airports in India.
- Economic benefits: The TTP program will also provide economic benefits to the government. The government will get income through registration fees, which can later be used to develop the infrastructure of airports and improve other facilities.
Registration Process under TTP Program
For registration under TTP program passengers have to apply through the online portal. It involves the following process:
- Filling the Application Form: First of all, the traveler has to fill an application form, which includes his/her personal information, passport details, purpose of travel, and other necessary information.
- Collection of biometric data: During the application, the passenger will also have to provide his/her biometric information. This includes fingerprints and photograph.
- Payment of Fee: For registration, a fee of Rs 2,000 for Indian citizens and $100 for OCI card holders has to be paid. This fee is one time and is valid till the expiry of the registration period.
- Authentication and Verification: After the application is submitted, the application will be reviewed and verified by the concerned officer. If the application is approved, the passenger will receive a registration confirmation.
- Validity of the Program: The registration period is valid for five years, as long as the passenger’s passport is valid. If the passport expires, the passenger will have to re-register.
Expansion of TTP to other international airports
The TTP program is currently being piloted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. However, depending on its success, it may be extended to other major international airports in India. This could be a major initiative,
Which will make the immigration process more convenient for passengers at all major airports in India.
In the future, this program can also be implemented at airports like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. This will provide great relief not only to Indian citizens but also to foreign citizens during travel.
International impact and possibilities of TTP
The implementation of the TTP program can also benefit India at the international level. The program can attract international travelers, especially those who visit India regularly. Additionally, the program can be made more comprehensive under bilateral agreements between India and other countries, so that citizens of other countries can sometimes avail this facility.
For example, if there is an agreement under this program between India and the US, then US citizens can avail this facility in India. Similarly, similar agreements can be made with other countries, which will further strengthen India’s global position.
Challenges of the TTP Program
The implementation of the TTP Program is certainly a big step, but it may also come up with some challenges:
- Technical issues: There can be technical issues in the collection and verification of biometric data. If the data is not collected or verified properly, it can hinder the immigration process.
- Security concerns: The collection and safe use of biometric data can be a big challenge. It is very important to ensure the security of the data so that it can be protected from any kind of misuse.
- Complexity of the registration process: The registration process has to be made simple and user-friendly. If the process is complex, passengers may hesitate to adopt it.
- Cost Burden: It is important to keep the fee for registration reasonable. If the fee is too high, many travelers will not be able to afford it, causing them to opt out of the program.
Future prospects
The TTP program is an important initiative that takes India forward in the direction of improving the immigration process and providing more facilities to the travelers. This program can prove to be a great convenience not only for Indian citizens but also for OCI card holders and other foreign travelers.
In the future, other new facilities and services can also be developed based on this program.
