Immigration Process to Go Biometric at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru Airports

While traveling overseas might be exhilarating, nobody enjoys standing in long lines at busy airports. Long lines during peak hours are also a well-known feature of Indian airports, including those in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. However, as the government considers employing biometrics for a quicker immigration process, things could change for travelers arriving at these airports from overseas planes. Initially, only foreign visitors will be able to use this approach. Thus, before booking cheap flight tickets to India from USA, find out more about this recent update in the blog “Immigration Process to Go Biometric at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru Airports”.

Biometric-Based Immigration Checks at Airports

The Indian government plans to introduce biometrics at popular airports such as Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bengaluru (BLR) in an attempt to reduce the amount of time it takes for international visitors to finish the immigration procedure. Arriving travelers would save time due to the procedure being automated and the requirement to manually verify the passport details being removed. In addition, if you are looking to save extra on your flights, be sure to visit Flyopedia to book direct flights to Bangalore from USA at reasonable prices.

This directive, which requires Cabinet approval, aims to streamline legal procedures, ease immigration and security issues, allocate privileges for international aviation, and develop the necessary infrastructure to make airports—like the one in the National Capital—competitive transit hubs.

Automatic immigration clearances will be a feature of the biometric-based system, eliminating the requirement for physical passport verification. Additionally, it will confirm travelers’ identities using facial recognition or fingerprints. At first, only foreign guests will be able to use this facility. Eventually, Indian citizens will also have access after the government begins to issue e-passports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has earlier asked airport operators to look into the efficient biometric techniques that other countries are using to ensure smooth passenger movement.

Discussion with the Civil Aviation Minister

Recently, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is the country’s minister of civil aviation, convened with the chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the top executives of privately owned airports to talk about the strategies. Jyotiraditya Scindia, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, stated in a recent online remark that

“We are currently discussing design ideas to speed up the immigration and security processes for foreign visitors. Additionally, new technologies like e-biometrics are being tried and are on the horizon. These are essential to our plan for global aviation hubs in India.”

He also asked if using the DigiYatra app was feasible. Travelers on domestic flights can now save time by using the DigiYatra app to complete their paperwork digitally.

DigiYatra Project

A prototype for electronic passport-based enrollment is being developed by the DigiYatra project, which is overseen by the private non-profit organization Digi Yatra Foundation. Testing is currently underway, according to Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, to collaborate with the Bureau of Immigration and visa-issuing agencies to make this service accessible to overseas visitors.

DigiYatra uses facial recognition technology to enable contactless travel, simplifying airport check-in and authentication. This reduces waiting times and facilitates a smooth boarding experience. Scindia claims that in 2024, 25 additional airports—including those in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other cities—will have access to the DigiYatra service. In addition, make sure to check out Flyopedia.ca to grab the cheapest flight deals from Canada to India.

Use of E-Passports

First-time visitors to India must register at the manual counters and use their fingerprint, face, and iris biometrics to finish the immigration clearance process. They will, however, have the choice to take the automated clearing path when they depart. Once they have the same passport, they can use their iris and face biometrics to clear the manual counters on subsequent trips. This technology will initially be utilized by foreign visitors; Indian nationals will gain access after the government starts issuing e-passports.

Promote the Establishment of a Hub Airport

The aviation ministry of India is upgrading its airport infrastructure. The ultimate purpose of all the steps taken, including sanctioning new projects, expanding existing ones, and putting cutting-edge digital technology like DigiYatra into use, is to build hub airports across the country.

Scindia has backed the expansion of Indian carriers and stated his goal to establish a significant airport hub in India like Singapore or Dubai. The ministry has been evaluating the options, holding discussions with interested parties, and seeking to recruit specialists to talk about these kinds of big initiatives.

Delhi Airport may be one indication that India is keen to become a major international hub. It acts as the primary hub for several Indian airlines, like IndiGo, and might expand into a hub given enough support from these carriers as well as encouragement. This would naturally take time to develop, but the conversation has already begun.

Hence, if you want to stay up to date on developments relating to travel, keep coming back to Flyopedia for more news stories like this one. Also, make sure to browse Flyopedia to grab the cheapest business class flights to India from USA.

Also Read: A Detailed Roadmap for U.S. Citizens Seeking a 10-Year Indian Visa