As the busy winter travel season approaches, bringing with it a swell of the Indian diaspora and tourists heading back to the motherland, the Indian government has enacted landmark changes aimed at radically simplifying airport immigration. India has decisively embraced digitisation to revolutionise its airport entry process. In a move that brings immediate relief and reassurance amidst global travel uncertainties, the government has launched two major, simultaneous policy shifts designed to cater for every traveller: a mandatory e-Arrival Card for non-Indian/non-OCI passport holders and a vastly expanded Fast-Track Immigration (FTI) scheme for citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
International passenger traffic to India has surged by approximately 60% over the last decade, reaching an estimated 8.1 crore travellers in 2024. This growth necessitated a fundamental overhaul of traditional immigration procedures to maintain efficiency and a world-class welcome. These new systems, effective from October 1, are particularly beneficial for the large and interconnected Indian community residing in the UK, ensuring their trips home are now smoother than ever before.
A seamless start to Indian sojourn
The foundation of this efficiency drive is the Fast-Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP). First launched in a pilot phase in June 2022, the programme has recently been massively scaled up. By September 2025, the scheme was expanded to cover an impressive 13 international airports, including major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. This system allows pre-verified travellers to use automated e-gates, dramatically cutting the processing time to as little as 30 seconds. The impact is already significant, with over 2.6 lakh travellers having availed themselves of the facility since its inception.
For members of the diaspora holding an OCI card, this expansion is a game-changer. They are now officially included in the FTI-TTP, meaning that with a prior one-time registration, they can bypass the general immigration queues alongside Indian passport holders, enjoying an unprecedented level of expedited service. This completely redefines the arrival experience for family members returning for extended visits.
Building on this success, the government introduced the e-Arrival Card (EAC) to address non-OCI foreign nationals. This system, which became mandatory for non-Indian passport holders from 1 October, directly replaces the traditional, time-consuming paper disembarkation card. Previously, the procedure for non-OCI holders, including British partners and friends travelling with the diaspora involved collecting a physical card on the plane or at the airport, manually filling in details, and then waiting for an officer to enter the information.
Now, travellers must simply complete the EAC online up to 72 hours before their flight. This digitisation shifts the administrative work from the congested airport counter to the traveller's pre-departure preparation. The result is a more efficient flow, enhanced data accuracy, and a significant reduction in arrival hall congestion, making the process cleaner and more user-friendly for British citizens and non- OCI family members alike.
Positive outlook for visitors from the UK
The benefits of these dual initiatives for the UK-based Indian diaspora and British travellers are clear. For OCI cardholders and their Indian family members, the e-gates promise speedy, hassle-free entry, maximising their valuable time with relatives during the peak holiday season. For any accompanying British citizen or non-OCI family, the mandatory e-Arrival Card removes the friction of paper forms and speeds up their interaction at the immigration desk. By modernising its entry systems, India is not only handling a substantial increase in international traffic but is also extending a warm, efficient welcome. In an era where travel often feels beset by unforeseen difficulties, this commitment to streamlining the gateway to India offers a positive and optimistic note, ensuring that the much-loved journey home is as joyful and seamless as possible.