The Union Cabinet has approved a five-year extension of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) scheme, keeping its ₹1,800 crore outlay and extending the program till March 2031. The move aims to inter-link and modernize multiple databases to support informed decision-making, strengthen national security, and streamline visa and immigration processes for foreign visitors.
IVFRT interlinks functions related to immigration, visa issuance and registration of foreigners in India, with the goal of modernizing the process within an integrated service delivery framework.
The five-year extension provides agencies with a clear horizon to pursue IT upgrades, maintenance, and capacity building to ensure smoother operations at immigration checkpoints and consular interfaces.
This decision reflects the government's ongoing emphasis on a tech-enabled approach to immigration and border management, leveraging integrated systems to improve efficiency and oversight.
