India to Simplify Immigration Checks for International Travelers

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Key Takeaways:

India will streamline immigration at major airports with more officials and centralized checks for efficiency and appeal as transit hubs.
Passengers on connecting flights will complete immigration at their first point of departure and final destination, bypassing intermediary checks.
Technological advancements and airline expansions are key to reducing wait times and boosting international traffic at Indian airports.

How Will India Simplify Immigration Checks for International Trips?

India plans to revolutionize the process of immigration checks for international trips. Here’s how these changes aim to enhance passenger experiences at Indian airports.

India to Simplify Immigration Checks for International Travelers

What Changes Are Being Made to Immigration Checks at Indian Airports?

The Indian government is looking to streamline immigration rules and increase the number of officials at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai. The main objective is to speed up the process of entering or leaving the country, making Indian airports more appealing as South Asian transit hubs.

How Will the Confluence of Flights Simplify Immigration?

The concept of the “confluence of flights” is key to this strategy. Passengers on connecting flights under the same ticket number (or PNR) will now be able to complete customs and immigration checks at the first point of departure and the final destination.

For example, passengers traveling from Bengaluru to San Francisco with a halt in Delhi will no longer need to complete immigration checks in Delhi. Similarly, those traveling from San Francisco to Bengaluru with a stopover in Delhi can skip redundant checks in the capital.

An official explains, “This needs a lot of time and hence an airline has to keep a long connection time, which impacts efficient operation. The government is considering a proposal where a passenger will not need to do this at intermediary points but at their first or final destinations.”

Why Is This Change Important for Major Indian Airports?

This new approach will not only streamline the process for passengers but also reduce the workload for immigration staff at major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai. By spreading out immigration functions, the government intends to use its resources more efficiently.

Increasing the number of immigration officials and counters at these airports will help manage the increased flow of international travelers. Indian airports aim to serve as transfer points, concentrating passenger traffic and offering a wide range of routes to various destinations.

How Will New Technologies and Designs Improve the Immigration Process?

Recently, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the civil aviation minister, held a meeting with the Bureau of Immigration to discuss rule changes, airport interior design, and new technologies. These measures aim to expedite immigration and security checks.

Delhi Airport CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, shared insights on the use of artificial intelligence to study the profile of passengers, which helps in managing the workload of immigration officials. Jaipuriar noted, “For first-time visitors who arrive with an e-visa, we have put in additional biometric machines supervised by immigration officials.”

He added, “The maximum immigration time during peak hours is not more than 15-20 minutes.”

Will More International Flights Boost Indian Airports?

India’s major airlines and airports are keen on expanding international operations. Air India and IndiGo have ordered new long-range aircraft to support this vision. Specifically, Air India has ordered 470 aircraft, including 70 long-range planes, while IndiGo has ordered 30 such aircraft.

Air India aims to double the share of international passengers transiting through Indian airports. According to Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer, “The share of international passengers transiting via India on Air India flights has grown to an average of around 4% of our total international passenger traffic from 0.5% earlier. We expect this to grow even further to 10% over a period of 5-10 years.”

What Are the Challenges and Solutions for Major Airports?

To transform Delhi and Mumbai airports into global hubs, some challenges need to be addressed. Aggarwal points out that, “The way airports were privatized, they have ended up with a very heavy revenue share to the government. So, often they are not left with the resources to invest. This will need some out-of-the-box solutions or incentives.”

For more detailed guidelines and updates on immigration checks, you can visit the official Bureau of Immigration website.

Conclusion

India’s initiative to simplify immigration checks at Indian airports for international trips holds promise for both efficiency and convenience. This move should make Indian airports more competitive as international transit hubs and significantly improve passenger experiences.

By centralizing immigration checks and leveraging technology, the country aims to provide quicker and more efficient travel, reinforcing its status in global aviation.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

PNR (Passenger Name Record):
A unique identifier for each traveler, usually provided by the airline. It consolidates information regarding a passenger’s booking details across multiple flights within the same ticket.
Confluence of Flights:
A strategy whereby passengers can complete customs and immigration checks only at their first point of departure and final destination, streamlining the process for those on connecting flights.
E-visa:
An electronic visa that allows travelers to apply online for entry into a country, eliminating the need for a physical visa stamp in the passport.
Biometric Machines:
Devices used to identify passengers through physical characteristics like fingerprints or facial recognition. These are increasingly used at immigration checkpoints to speed up processing.
Transit Hubs:
Airports designed to serve as major layover points for international passengers, facilitating easy connections to numerous destinations with minimal inconvenience.

This Article In A Nutshell:

India aims to simplify immigration checks by increasing immigration officials and using new technologies. Major airports like Delhi and Mumbai will benefit most, speeding up entry and exit processes. Enhancements will include advanced biometric systems and streamlined procedures, making Indian airports more efficient and appealing as transit hubs.
— By VisaVerge.com

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