How does biometric immigration work at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru airports?
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru airports are rolling out biometric-based immigration that uses facial recognition to speed up processing and reduce paperwork at checkpoints. Eligible travellers can use the faster biometric lanes, while standard immigration lanes remain available for everyone else.
The Indian government is set to introduce automated immigration clearances using biometric technology at New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru Airports. Initially, this system will be implemented exclusively for international passengers. Here are the key details of this latest update:
Features of Biometric-Based Immigration Checks:
- Elimination of the need for physical passports.
- Adoption of fingerprint and facial recognition technology for passenger identity verification.
- Approval from the cabinet is awaited, and this step aims to enhance security and address immigration challenges.
- Contribution to the development of necessary airport infrastructure.
Inclusion of Indian Citizens in the Scheme:
Indian citizens will be incorporated into the system after the issuance of E-Passports, which will incorporate both paper and electronic elements. Until then, the system will only be accessible to international passengers at New Delhi Airport, Mumbai Airport, and Bengaluru Airport.
Vancouver to New Delhi Connectivity:
If you are traveling from Vancouver to New Delhi through Mumbai Airport, Bengaluru Airport, or New Delhi Airport, you will have access to this biometric-based immigration clearance facility.
DigiYatra – Advancing Digital India:
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently discussed the DigiYatra app in a meeting with the Chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Chief Executive of Private Airports. DigiYatra is a contactless air travel solution utilizing facial recognition technology for a seamless checking and verification process at airports. This initiative aims to provide a paperless journey for domestic air passengers, reducing time wastage and ensuring a smooth boarding process.
Expansion of DigiYatra Facility:
Scindia revealed plans to extend the DigiYatra facility to 25 more airports in 2024, including Mumbai Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Delhi Airport, and others.
That wraps up the latest updates. For more travel-related news, stay tuned to Metairfare.
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Complete guide: For the full picture on this topic, explore our airports, layovers and connections guide.
Where biometric immigration stands in 2026
What began as a pilot has become a nationwide system. India’s Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) now runs automated e-gates at 13 major airports — including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad, with Amritsar, Lucknow and others recently added — and the government plans to reach 21 airports. For eligible travellers, it cuts immigration clearance from around eight minutes to under 30 seconds. Separately, from 1 June 2026 the Digi Yatra facial-recognition system became mandatory for international transfer passengers at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
What Canadian travellers should know
FTI-TTP is open to Indian nationals and, importantly for many Canadians, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders. If you hold an OCI card, you can register once on the official FTI-TTP portal, complete a biometric appointment, and then use the fast e-gates on future arrivals — a real time-saver at busy airports like Delhi and Bengaluru. Registration is valid for five years. Visitors on a regular visa still use the standard immigration counters, so factor normal queue times into your arrival. For entry requirements and paperwork, see our visas, documents & immigration guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biometric immigration at Indian airports?
Automated face and fingerprint clearance that speeds up entry.
Which airports have it?
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are rolling it out.
Do I need to enrol?
Yes — enrolment lets you use the faster e-gates.