International travelers arriving in India on an e-Visa can now complete biometric registration faster at Kolkata Airport. The Bureau of Immigration has introduced self-service biometric kiosks at Kolkata Airport to simplify immigration processing for eligible passengers. The system has reduced the time required at the e-Visa immigration counter from around six to seven minutes per passenger to less than a minute once biometric registration is completed.
What Are the New Biometric Kiosks at Kolkata Airport?
The new biometric kiosks at Kolkata Airport allow passengers to complete mandatory biometric registration on their own instead of waiting for an immigration officer to perform the entire process. The Bureau of Immigration has installed four kiosks for this purpose. The kiosks scan the passport and capture a live facial image and fingerprints. After completing the process, passengers receive a confirmation slip that they can take to the immigration counter. Immigration officials can then verify the passenger’s passport and complete the remaining formalities more quickly.
Who Needs to Use the Biometric Kiosks?
The new facility mainly helps foreign nationals arriving in India for the first time on an e-Visa. Travelers who receive regular or sticker visas may complete biometric formalities earlier through an Indian embassy, consulate, or visa facilitation centre. However, people traveling with an Indian e-Visa generally complete their required biometric verification after arrival. India’s official e-Visa portal states that authorities require e-Visa applicants to provide biometric details on arrival.
By moving this process to self-service kiosks, Kolkata Airport can reduce the time passengers spend at immigration desks.
How Does the Kolkata Airport Biometric Kiosk Work?
Foreign travelers who need to complete biometric registration can follow a simple process after arriving at Kolkata Airport:
- Go to the self-service biometric kiosk before proceeding to the immigration counter.
- Scan the passport using the kiosk.
- Capture a live photograph.
- Place the required fingers on the scanner to record fingerprints.
- Complete the biometric registration.
- Collect the confirmation slip generated by the machine.
- Take the slip and passport to the immigration counter.
- Complete the remaining immigration checks.
The system moves the longer biometric process away from the immigration desk and allows officers to focus on passport verification and clearance.
Why Do India E-Visa Travelers Need Biometric Verification?
India requires foreign nationals to hold a valid passport and an appropriate visa or e-Visa unless an exemption applies. For e-Visa travelers, biometric verification forms part of the immigration process after arrival. India’s official visa portal confirms that authorities capture biometric details at immigration for e-Visa applicants. Biometric checks help immigration authorities confirm a traveler’s identity using fingerprints and facial information. The new self-service system does not remove this requirement. Instead, it gives eligible passengers a faster way to complete it.
How the New Kiosks Could Improve International Arrivals at Kolkata Airport
The new self-service biometric kiosks can make the arrival process easier for foreign visitors at Kolkata Airport. By allowing passengers to complete fingerprint and facial scans before reaching an immigration officer, the system can reduce time at the counter and help immigration queues move faster.
The initiative also reflects India’s wider push toward automated immigration services. Along with FTI-TTP and immigration e-gates, biometric kiosks can help make international arrivals faster while maintaining identity and security checks. For foreign travelers entering India on an e-Visa, the biggest change is simple: they can now complete an important part of the immigration process themselves and spend less time waiting at the counter.
If you are flying from the USA to India, check the latest visa and immigration requirements before departure. For affordable international flights, explore Indian Eagle deals for travel between the United States and India.
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