IVFRT Scheme

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme for five years (2026–2031) with a budget outlay of ₹1800 crore.

About IVFRT Scheme

• A central government e-governance initiative to modernize:
  • Immigration processes
  • Visa issuance system
  • Foreigners’ registration and tracking
• Implemented under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Originally approved in 2010 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Key Objectives

• Integrated digital platform for all immigration-related functions
• Facilitation of legitimate travellers with faster and smoother services
• Strengthening national security through better monitoring and tracking
• Data sharing & coordination among various agencies (immigration, FRROs, security agencies)

Key Features

• End-to-end online visa processing system
• Biometric-based identification of foreign nationals
• Integration with:
  • Airports & seaports
  • Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs)
• Real-time tracking and monitoring system
• Improved user interface and service delivery

Recent Update (2026–2031 Phase)

• Focus on:
  • Upgrading existing infrastructure
  • Adoption of advanced technologies (AI, data analytics, automation)
  • Enhanced cybersecurity framework
  • Better user experience without compromising security
• Expansion in scope and capacity of the system