Accelerated Visa Processing Now Available: One-Day Visa Issuance Explained
In a bid to expedite travel formalities and strengthen immigration enforcement systems, the Indian government has recently implemented a series of measures aimed at simplifying visa issuance and monitoring illegal immigrants.
During a review meeting, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Kumar Sanjay discussed policies on visa simplification, modernization of immigration check posts, and related matters. One of the key initiatives announced was the Fast-Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP), which is currently being implemented at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad airports. Pre-verified travellers can now obtain immigration clearance in just one minute, a significant improvement over previous processing times.
The FTI-TTP is set to be extended to Kozhikode, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Amritsar, Tiruchirappalli, Noida, and Navi Mumbai airports in the near future.
In addition to the FTI-TTP, India has introduced regulatory relaxations aimed at enabling the issuance of certain visa categories within one day. Although the exact visa types and criteria for expedited issuance have not been fully detailed, this move reflects a broader government focus on easing travel formalities for genuine visitors.
To address illegal immigration, India has launched new digital portals and mechanisms for the monitoring and tracking of illegal immigrants. This initiative complements enforcement measures such as the recent 30-day warnings issued for deportation of illegal immigrants from countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Other related updates include restrictions on the maximum stay for tourists on e-Visas or regular visas, capped at 180 days per calendar year, and a continued ban on entry by e-Tourist or regular Tourist visas through land routes.
The Central government has also made strides in simplifying visa procedures. The number of main visa categories has been reduced from 26 to 22, and the number of sub-categories has been reduced from 104 to 69. A user-friendly mobile application, "CAA-2019", has been developed to assist citizenship applicants from six specified minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Moreover, the number of Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) has increased from 82 in 2014 to 114, with 37 Air, 37 Land, 34 Sea, and 6 Rail ports. Two new portals, District Police Module (DPM) and Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP), have been launched to strengthen the monitoring of illegal immigrants and foreigners overstaying their visas.
Union Minister Sanjay has directed that all decisions and development works undertaken by the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah should be implemented at the grassroots level and reach the common people. He also appreciated the officials' performance and directed them to ensure that travellers face no difficulties in matters related to visas and immigration.
With these changes, India is prioritizing faster visa issuance and tighter immigration monitoring through digital tools as part of its latest visa and border management reforms.
- The implementation of the Fast-Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP) in India is not only aimed at expediting travel formalities, but also at enhancing lifestyle for frequent travelers by reducing immigration processing times.
- Recognizing the significance of technology in modern society, the Indian government has introduced digital portals and mechanisms for monitoring illegal immigrants, demonstrating a commitment to both education-and-self-development and sports by strengthening safety and security measures, thereby creating a conducive environment for all.
