Cabinet approves Continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme beyond 31 March, 2026 for a period of five year from 01 April, 2026 to 31 March, 2031 with budget outlay of Rs.1800 crore.

Scheme Continuation
- Approved for five years (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2031).
- Budget outlay: ₹1,800 crore.
- Builds on earlier phases (2010–2026) that modernized visa and immigration services.

Core Objectives
- Modernize and upgrade immigration & visa services within a secure, integrated framework.
- Facilitate legitimate travelers while strengthening national security.
- Align with the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 to address illegal migration and emerging challenges.

Focus Areas for Next Phase
1. Emerging Technology Innovations: Mobile-based services, self-service kiosks, automated e-gates.
2. Core Infrastructure Transformation: Upgrades across immigration posts, FRROs, FROs, and data centers.
3. Technology & Service Optimization: Unified digital platforms, revamped application architecture, stronger networks.

Achievements So Far
- 117 Immigration Posts, 15 FRROs, and 854 FROs covered.
- 100% contactless visa process with online scheduling and payments.
- 91.24% of e-Visa applications cleared within 72 hours in the past five years.
- Passenger clearance time reduced to 2.5–3 minutes (including biometrics), down from 5–6 minutes.
- Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at 13 airports: clearance in 30 seconds via automated e-gates.

Expected Impact
- Boosts tourism, medical travel, and business mobility.
- Enhances ease of doing business and strengthens India’s global competitiveness.
- Supports aviation and hospitality sectors, creating employment opportunities.
- Reinforces India’s image as a country with a world-class immigration and visa system.

In short, IVFRT’s continuation is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic transformation to make India’s immigration ecosystem faster, safer, and globally benchmarked.