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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Air India is one of the biggest carriers offering flights on the competitive USA-India route. It is also offering the most nonstop flights between the two countries. After the iconic Boeing 777 and Airbus A320neo were added in the Air India fleet, the airline added more weekly flights to India from USA and vice versa. And to further boost the connectivity between this popular route, it is now entering into an interline partnership with an American carrier, Alaska Airlines. Continue reading to know what the Air India and Alaska Airlines partnership mean for passengers. 

Air India and Alaska Airlines Interline Partnership

Before understanding the Air India and Alaska Airlines partnership, let’s know the meaning of an ‘interline partnership’. It is basically an agreement between two airlines that permits both to issue and accept tickets for flights operated by their partner. When you purchase interline flight tickets, you will see flight numbers from both airlines, offering a seamless travel experience.

Passengers flying through Air India will benefit greatly from this interline partnership. Travelers may now experience uninterrupted connections from major US cities like New York JFK, Newark-New Jersey, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco to a staggering 32 destinations across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, all within Alaska Airlines’ enormous network. Apart from the US cities, flights from Vancouver will also be available. 

30 More Aircraft to Be Added in the Air India Fleet this Winter

30 new aircraft are planned to be inducted in the Air India fleet this winter. The airline will introduce 400+ additional flights per week in its winter schedule. Air India will also welcome a diversified fleet of more than 30 widebody and narrowbody aircraft until March 2024, comprising six A350s, four B777s, and twenty A320neos. Around 200 of these additional flights will service international routes, connecting India with North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, while also increasing flight frequencies and opening up new city pair links.

Passengers on Air India’s three nonstop US routes from Mumbai (San Francisco, Newark, and New York), as well as 2 Mumbai-Heathrow flights, will benefit from updated B777 aircraft. These aircraft have modern-generation seats and in-flight entertainment, making the flight even more comfortable and enjoyable.

Also Read: New Air India Boeing 777 Aircraft to Be Deployed for Flights to Mumbai from USA

Air India and Alaska Airlines partnership means more options, greater connectivity, and a seamless journey for passengers exploring North America. Furthermore, with an enhanced fleet, the carrier will definitely offer increased flight frequencies and might even start services on new routes. 

If you are planning to travel through Air India or Alaska Airlines flights, you can make use of the Indian Eagle deals and save more on your trip. With Indian Eagle, you will not just travel on a budget but you will also enjoy 24/7 customer support for a seamless experience.

The post Air India and Alaska Airlines Partnership to Offer Seamless Connectivity from USA to India appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.