NationalThursday, 26 March 2026·The Hindu
Cabinet extends IVFRT Scheme from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 with ₹1,800 crore budget
The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking Scheme for five years from 1 April 2026.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In March 2026, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme for five years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 with a budget outlay of ₹1,800 crore.
Key specifics
- The extension aligns with the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
- The scheme will modernise services through mobile-based services and self-service kiosks.
- It will upgrade Immigration Posts, FRROs and Data Centres under a secure integrated delivery framework.
- About 91.24% of e-Visa applications are cleared within 72 hours.
- The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme operates at 13 major airports and reduces clearance time to 30 seconds for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders.
Exam lens
Governance and immigration question type: scheme period, budget, act and digital service features; remember 1 April 2026, 31 March 2031, ₹1,800 crore, Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, and 13 airports.