Cabinet Approves ₹1800 Crore IVFRT Scheme to Modernise Immigration, Boost Tourism and Security
The next phase of IVFRT will focus on adopting advanced technologies, upgrading core infrastructure and improving service delivery.
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) scheme with an outlay of ₹1,800 crore for a five-year period from April 2026 to March 2031, aiming to modernise India’s immigration system and strengthen national security.
The scheme is designed to integrate immigration, visa processing and foreigner registration into a unified digital framework, improving efficiency while ensuring secure border management, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The ministry in a statement said on Thursday that the next phase of IVFRT will focus on adopting advanced technologies, upgrading core infrastructure and improving service delivery. The government plans to introduce mobile-based services and self-service kiosks to enable faster and seamless passenger movement across airports and immigration posts.
The system will also undergo major infrastructure upgrades across immigration checkpoints, Foreigners Regional Registration Offices and data centres. These changes aim to create a more resilient and scalable system to handle rising international travel.
The decision follows the enactment of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which has made it necessary to strengthen monitoring and management of foreign nationals, including addressing challenges such as illegal migration.
The IVFRT system has already delivered measurable improvements. Over the past five years, more than 91% of e-visa applications have been processed within 72 hours. Passenger clearance time at immigration counters has reduced to about 2.5 to 3 minutes, compared to 5 to 6 minutes earlier.
The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme, implemented at 13 major airports, has further reduced clearance time to about 30 seconds through automated e-gates.
The scheme currently covers 117 immigration posts, 15 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices and over 850 field-level registration authorities across the country.
Officials said the modernisation effort will not only enhance security but also improve ease of travel and business. Faster visa processing and smoother immigration are expected to boost tourism, aviation, hospitality and related sectors.
The government views IVFRT as a strategic initiative that goes beyond administrative reform. By enabling seamless international mobility and secure travel systems, the scheme is expected to contribute to economic growth, trade expansion and employment generation.
