New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has on Wednesday endorsed the extension of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme beyond March 31, 2026. This extension will span five years—from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031—with a financial allocation of Rs 1,800 crore.

The IVFRT initiative is designed to integrate and enhance processes related to immigration, visa issuance, and the registration of foreigners residing in India.

The primary goal of the IVFRT is to modernize and elevate immigration and visa services within a secure and cohesive service delivery framework. This scheme is intended to facilitate authentic travelers while bolstering national security, as per an official announcement.

This initiative was initially sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 13, 2010, with a budget of Rs 1,011 crore and a project timeline set until September 2014. The budget was later revised to Rs 638.90 crore in 2015, with the project’s implementation timeline extended to March 31, 2017, and subsequently to March 31, 2021, without necessitating additional financial resources.

An expenditure of Rs 613.28 crore was recorded against the total revised allocation of Rs 638.90 crore. The Cabinet approved an additional extension for five years from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026, with a new budget of Rs 1,365 crore, as stated.

This scheme aims to broaden and enhance the scope and capabilities of the existing IVFRT framework not only through a complete overhaul but also by incorporating cutting-edge technological solutions to elevate user experience while maintaining security integrity. The modernization of the IVFRT project is crucial to cater to the changing demands of global travel and to tackle emerging national security issues, as per the announcement.

Following the recent implementation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with its subsequent Rules and Orders, it has become essential to fortify and modernize the Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system to adeptly address upcoming requirements and challenges in immigration control and foreigner management, including illegal migration.

The project’s continuation signifies not merely a technical enhancement, but a strategic overhaul aligned with the Government of India’s vision to foster international mobility through a state-of-the-art immigration and visa issuance system.

The upcoming phase will concentrate on three primary areas: the introduction of innovative technologies, the transformation of fundamental infrastructure, and the optimization of technology and services, as stated.

The scheme will revitalize the immigration and visa ecosystem by embracing innovative technologies, such as mobile-based services and self-service kiosks, to ensure seamless and secure passenger movement. It will also bolster and expand the core infrastructure across Immigration Posts, FRROs, and Data Centers, establishing a robust and scalable system nationwide.

Moreover, it will enhance technology and service delivery by implementing unified digital platforms, modernizing core application architecture, and fortifying network and deployment frameworks for improved efficiency and user experience, which will facilitate legitimate travelers while reinforcing national security. This initiative aims to maintain service continuity and introduce innovative technological solutions to attract more international tourists to India in the future.

Consequently, this will invigorate the tourism, medical, and business sectors. The IVFRT has significant positive externalities that will enhance international movement, commerce, and tourism. This progression will pave the way for economic advancement and contribute to job creation, as further explained in the statement.

The scheme has reached 117 Immigration Posts (IPs), 15 Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs), and 854 Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs)/Superintendents of Police (SPs)/Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) throughout the country.

The IVFRT system has resulted in notable enhancements in service delivery and operational efficiency across immigration and visa functions. The system has facilitated a fully contactless and faceless visa process, with online appointment scheduling and payment options, leading to accelerated visa processing times—91.24% of e-Visa applications have been approved within 72 hours over the past five years.

The average time for passenger clearance at Immigration Posts has also been reduced to 2.5-3 minutes, including biometrics, from the previous average of 5-6 minutes, as per the announcement.

Additionally, the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) implemented through automated e-gates at 13 major airports has cut down immigration clearance time from 2.5-3 minutes to just 30 seconds. Currently, enrollment for this program is free for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders.