India Expands Biometric Kiosks to Streamline e-Visa Arrivals at Airports

Biometric kiosks are being introduced to allow e-Visa holders to complete part of their immigration process independently. Travellers must scan their passport, have a live photograph taken, and register their fingerprints at the kiosk. After receiving a confirmation slip, they then present it along with their passport to an immigration officer for final checks. This system is specifically designed for foreign nationals making their initial e-Visa entry who require biometric data recording. Four new units recently became operational at Kolkata Airport, complementing existing kiosks at Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram airports. The primary aim is to significantly reduce the time spent at immigration counters and alleviate congestion, particularly during peak arrival times. Further expansion of these facilities is anticipated, as 22 kiosks were planned for installation across five airports by September 2025.