DigiYatra may soon make international departures from India easier

If you have used Digi Yatra while flying domestically, you may soon get a similar experience when travelling abroad. The Indian government is planning to test Digi Yatra for international departures at some of the country’s major airports between October and December 2026.

According to Hindustan Times, the trials are expected to take place at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin. Delhi and Mumbai are likely to be among the first airports to get the facility.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryHOW WILL DIGI YATRA WORK FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS?Unlike the domestic Digi Yatra system, which uses Aadhaar-based enrolment, the international version is expected to work with electronic passports.

Passengers with an e-passport will be able to scan the first page of their passport and use their phone's NFC feature to read the chip embedded in the document. The photograph stored on the chip will then be matched with a selfie.

This process will create a digital credential that can be used to verify the passenger's identity at different airport touchpoints.IMMIGRATION CHECKS WILL CONTINUE

The first phase of the international Digi Yatra rollout is not expected to replace the complete international departure process.

The initial trials are expected to focus on areas such as terminal entry and security, and potentially boarding gates. Immigration and emigration checks will continue under the existing process, with integration planned for a later stage.

For now, international passengers will still need to carry their passports and complete all mandatory immigration procedures.TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY CHECKS UNDERWAY

The proposed expansion is part of the government's wider push to make air travel more digital. From September 1, passengers no longer need to carry a physical boarding pass for immigration checks, as electronic boarding passes are accepted at immigration counters.

The government is also working on the technology and security requirements ahead of the international Digi Yatra trials. The upgraded application is expected to undergo vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

If the trials progress as planned, Digi Yatra could gradually become a larger part of the international departure experience at Indian airports. However, passengers will continue to follow the required passport and immigration procedures during the initial phase.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 16:10 IST