Published: 25 March 2026PIB / DD News / Kashmir ReaderGovernance
Cabinet Extends IVFRT Scheme Till 2031 with ₹1,800 Crore Outlay; 91% e-Visa Applications Cleared Within 72 Hours
On March 25–26, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme beyond March 31, 2026, for a further five years from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031, with a financial outlay of ₹1,800 crore.
IVFRT is a centralised digital platform that interlinks immigration checkposts, visa issuance centres, and Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) under an integrated, secure framework. Key achievements of the previous phase (2021–2026): 100% contactless and faceless visa processing; 91.24% of e-Visa applications processed within 72 hours; average passenger clearance time at immigration posts reduced from 5–6 minutes to 2.5–3 minutes; Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) through automated e-gates at 13 major airports now clears passengers in just 30 seconds.
For the 2026–2031 phase, the scheme will introduce mobile-based services, self-service kiosks, a unified digital platform, revamped core application architecture, and expanded FTI-TTP at more airports. The scheme directly supports India's tourism and foreign investment goals, and is relevant to Rajasthan's growing inbound tourism sector — the state being among India's top tourist destinations.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the achievements and the 2026–2031 roadmap of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme, and explain its relevance for India's tourism and security goals.
Answer (50 words):
The Union Cabinet extended the IVFRT Scheme till March 2031 with a ₹1,800 crore outlay. It achieved 91.24% e-Visa processing within 72 hours, cut passenger clearance from 5–6 minutes to 2.5 minutes, and enabled 30-second FTI-TTP clearance at 13 airports. Next phase adds mobile services and kiosks.
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalTypeInitiativeSubjectScience & TechnologyExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB / DD News / Kashmir Reader
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionEasy
Under the IVFRT Scheme, what percentage of e-Visa applications were processed within 72 hours in the previous phase (2021–2026)?
Explanation · Correct answer AThe article states that 91.24% of e-Visa applications were processed within 72 hours, a key achievement of the IVFRT Scheme 2021–2026 phase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IVFRT scheme and which ministry manages it?
IVFRT stands for Integrated Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking. It is a digital platform managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that integrates visa issuance, entry and exit tracking, and foreigners' registration into a unified system. It connects Indian missions abroad, immigration checkpoints, Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), and intelligence agencies, enabling seamless and secure immigration management.
What was the Cabinet decision on IVFRT on March 25–26, 2026 and what is its financial outlay?
The Union Cabinet on March 25–26, 2026 approved the extension of the IVFRT scheme till March 2031 with a financial outlay of ₹1,800 crore. This extension builds on the scheme's existing achievements and will fund expansion of digital infrastructure, mobile kiosks for visa-on-arrival services, enhanced data integration with intelligence agencies, and expanded foreigners' registration platforms.
What is the FTI-TTP and how does it improve airport experience?
FTI-TTP stands for Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme. It deploys biometric e-gates at 13 major Indian airports that enable pre-enrolled frequent travellers to clear immigration in just 30 seconds — compared to the typical queue of several minutes. Travellers enrol their biometric data in advance, and the e-gate automatically verifies their identity and clears them without manual intervention from immigration officers.
What does the 91.24% e-Visa processing rate within 72 hours indicate about India's digital governance?
The 91.24% e-Visa processing rate within 72 hours demonstrates a major improvement in India's visa facilitation efficiency and digital governance. It reflects successful automation of visa scrutiny processes, real-time data sharing between MHA and Indian missions, and streamlined intelligence checks. This metric is significant for India's tourism industry and business travel, as faster visa approvals directly attract more international visitors and investors.
What are the future plans under the extended IVFRT scheme till 2031?
Under the IVFRT extension till 2031, future plans include: (1) mobile kiosks for visa-on-arrival services at more entry points; (2) expanded digital platforms for foreigners' registration replacing manual FRRO visits; (3) enhanced data integration with intelligence agencies for better national security screening; (4) expansion of FTI-TTP e-gates to more airports beyond the current 13; and (5) development of a unified digital identity system for all foreigners entering India.
