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News: The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme from April 2026 to March 2031.
About Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme
- The IVFRT is a mission-mode project that creates a secure, integrated, and service-oriented framework for managing the entire lifecycle of travellers.
- Launched in: The project was originally approved on 13 May 2010.
- Timespan: The scheme will be in operation for a period of five years from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
- Legal basis: It is launched in the backdrop of the recently enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
- Objective: The objective is to modernize and interlink immigration, visa issuance, and foreigner registration functions to facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening national security and curbing illegal migration.
- Key Features
- Interlinked digital ecosystem: The system connects 117 Immigration Check Posts, 15 FRROs, and 854 FROs into a single integrated database.
- Contactless and faceless services: The scheme enables a fully online visa process with automated appointments and payments, with over 91% of e-visas cleared within 72 hours.
- Fast Track Immigration Programme: Automated e-gates at 13 major airports reduce clearance time from 3 minutes to 30 seconds for trusted travellers.
- Technological innovation and biometrics: The system uses self-service kiosks, mobile-based services, and biometric integration to ensure secure and seamless passenger movement.
