Overview
- The Union Cabinet, which cleared the plan Wednesday, extended the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking scheme from April 2026 to March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay.
- IVFRT is a national digital system that links visa issuance, airport immigration checks, and the registration of foreigners so officers see the same records across posts and offices.
- The next phase adds mobile-based services, self‑service kiosks, unified online platforms, and expanded hardware at immigration posts, FRROs, and data centers, with initial rollouts at major airports reported by officials.
- Government statements tie the overhaul to the new immigration law and to stronger enforcement, with plans to connect visa records, travel history, watchlists, and FRRO filings to flag overstays or illegal entry.
- For travelers, the baseline today includes a fully contactless visa process with 91% of e‑visas cleared within 72 hours and e‑gates at 13 airports that can cut clearance to about 30 seconds for enrolled users, while the platform already spans 117 immigration posts, 15 FRROs, and 854 FROs.