Centre approves continuation of the Immigration Visa Foreigners Registration Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme
- The Centre has approved continuation of the Immigration Visa Foreigners Registration Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme for a period of five years from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,364.88 crore.
- The government also said the average visa processing time, which was earlier at about 15-30 days, has now been reduced to a maximum of 72 hours in e-visas with 95 per cent of e-visas getting issued within 24 hours.
About IVFRT scheme
- It was introduced to modernise and up-grade immigration and visa services
- It is undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
- The core objective of this Project is to develop and implement a secure and integrated service delivery framework that facilitates legitimate travellers while strengthening security.
- The scope of the project includes 169 Missions, 77 ICPs (Immigration Check Posts), 5 FRROs (Foreigners Regional Registration Offices), and FROs (Foreigners Registration Offices) in the State /District Headquarters.
- Its implementation will enable authentication of traveller’s identity at the Missions, Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) and Foreigners Registration Offices (FROs) through use of intelligent document scanners and biometrics, updation of foreigner’s details at entry and exit points, improved tracking of foreigner’s through sharing of information captured during visa issuance at Missions, during immigration check at ICPs, and during registration at FRRO/ FROs.
Focus of the IVFRT Scheme
- Security, Facilitation, Enablement and Integration of various Immigration related activities.
- Authentication of traveller’s Identity at all encounter points.
- Online Registration of Foreigners and automated service delivery system.
- Centralised sharing of information.
- Automated Passenger Profiling and Alerts.