NEW DELHI: Seeking to harness cutting-edge technology to offer foreign visitors a smoother visa and immigration experience, while also strengthening national security, the Union cabinet Wednesday approved continuation of the immigration, visa, foreigners registration and tracking (IVF-RT) scheme for a further five years until March 2031, with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay.Sources in the govt told TOI that the Bureau of Immigration, with backing of the home ministry, envisages a seamless IVFRT network – which will inter-link multiple databases relating to visa issuance, immigration records, look out circulars, travel history, reporting/registration with the foreigner regional registration officers (FRROs) or foreigner registration officers (FROs), and requests made for visa extension or inner line permits etc during stay in India – to enable the immigration officer to make an informed decision on granting clearance upon entry/exit.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran war82nd Airborne Division to be deployed in Middle East: Inside America’s fastest strike force that once stormed Nazi-occupied France’Lack of permission’: Iran turns back Pakistan-bound ship trying to pass through Strait of HormuzNot only this, by making these databases talk to one another, the local FRRO/FRO will know the exact details of foreigners who have legally entered the country and help separate them from ones whose entry/immigration is undocumented, making them suspect illegal immigrants, said an officer.The database linking will initially be rolled out at select major airports and eventually cover all integrated check posts and FRRO/FRO offices.”The idea is to make the immigration experience smoother and faster for legitimate foreign visitors. At the same time, national security needs will be attended to as suspect foreign visitors can be tracked with help of technology and enforcement age-ncies can intervene where needed. This decision will no longer be left to human judgement alone,” said an officer.”The continuation of IVFRT project is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic transformation aligned with the govt’s vision to promote international mobility through a world-class immigration and visa issuance system,” the govt stated.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Not A ‘Broker’ Like Pak: Jaishankar Tells Leaders At All-Party Meet Amid Iran Mediation Buzz’No Locus Standi To Comment’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Remarks On Asiya Andrabi’s Life SentenceIran Dictates Endgame:Demands Closure Of US Bases In Gulf, Lifting Of Sanctions, Control Over HormuzCentre Pushes PNG: LPG Supply May Be Stopped Where Pipelines Are AvailableWomen’s Quota Bill: What Are The Big Challenges Modi Govt Is Likely To FaceIran Denies Permission To Pakistan-Bound Ship Trying To Cross Hormuz As Indian Ships Sail ThroughDelhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Calls Arvind Kejriwal Rehman Dakait In Assembly, Sparks Political RowAmid Hormuz Disruption, India Locks 60 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil To Secure Energy Supply’India And UK Are Now AI Superpowers’, Says Rishi Sunak As India Overtakes UK In Global RankingsOil, War, And A Phone Call: PM Modi Draws India’s Red Line At Strait Of Hormuz In Talks With Trump123Photostories10 strange scientific theories sound absurd today, but scientists once believed themInside Bigg Boss OTT 3 fame Armaan Malik’s lavish lifestyle: From an estimated Rs 100 crore net worth to his impressive luxury car collectionBuying lab-grown gold? 5 things you should know before you invest9 traditional dishes to enjoy in Ram Lalla’s Ayodhya Nagri this Ram Navmi9 largest eagles in the world and what makes them uniqueFeeling full too quickly while eating? Gastroenterologists explain the hidden causes, warning signs, and what you can do to improve digestionHeart attack prevention guide: Daily habits, diet changes, and medical checks that can save your life7 healthy office snacks to keep handy during summer months with minimum efforts5 cars known for their multiple driving modes for every terrainK-dramas like ‘Crash Landing on You’ that will give you butterflies: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and more123Hot PicksKaroline LeavitTristan da Cunha8th Pay CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStock market today8th Pay CommissionVanessa TrumpArnold Schwarzenegger’s sonUS Army EnlistmentZohran MamdaniNirav RanaWest Bengal ElectionLPG crisis reasonTransgender law
NEW DELHI: Seeking to harness cutting-edge technology to offer foreign visitors a smoother visa and immigration experience, while also strengthening national security, the Union cabinet Wednesday approved continuation of the immigration, visa, foreigners registration and tracking (IVF-RT) scheme for a further five years until March 2031, with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay.Sources in the govt told TOI that the Bureau of Immigration, with backing of the home ministry, envisages a seamless IVFRT network – which will inter-link multiple databases relating to visa issuance, immigration records, look out circulars, travel history, reporting/registration with the foreigner regional registration officers (FRROs) or foreigner registration officers (FROs), and requests made for visa extension or inner line permits etc during stay in India – to enable the immigration officer to make an informed decision on granting clearance upon entry/exit.Not only this, by making these databases talk to one another, the local FRRO/FRO will know the exact details of foreigners who have legally entered the country and help separate them from ones whose entry/immigration is undocumented, making them suspect illegal immigrants, said an officer.The database linking will initially be rolled out at select major airports and eventually cover all integrated check posts and FRRO/FRO offices.“The idea is to make the immigration experience smoother and faster for legitimate foreign visitors. At the same time, national security needs will be attended to as suspect foreign visitors can be tracked with help of technology and enforcement age-ncies can intervene where needed. This decision will no longer be left to human judgement alone,” said an officer.“The continuation of IVFRT project is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic transformation aligned with the govt’s vision to promote international mobility through a world-class immigration and visa issuance system,” the govt stated.