India to use biometrics for E-immigration process for International flyers

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Wednesday that the central government is working to employ biometric technology to digitalize the immigration process to minimize the time at airports for international passengers.

As of now, the immigration process for international passengers is conducted manually by the Bureau of Immigration under the home ministry.

“One of the things that we are looking at doing, and this is in conjunction with the Union home ministry, is biometrics, and digitising immigration processes, and that process is on as we speak,” stated Scindia.

“Certainly, a data bank or a repository has to be created based on which the throughput capability of our international airports also becomes much more seamless. On the immigration side, that is something we are working on,” the Civil Aviation Minister added further.

The news comes as airports across the country, specifically the Delhi and Bengaluru international Airports, were seen overburdened and congested with the massive footfall during the peak of the travel season.

Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation rolled out its new ‘DigiYatra’ feature, which allows Facial Biometrics to validate your identity to “provide a fast and a new digital experience for air travellers in India.”