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Lead Story 4 | informatics.nic.in | October 2012 PRELUDE The National E-Governance Plan (NeGP) approved by Government of India (GoI) in 2006 comprises of 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMP) that includes 9 central, 11 state and 7 Integrated MMPs spanning multiple Ministries/ Departments. “Mission Mode” implies that the objectives and the scope of the projects are clearly defined and there are measurable outcomes (service levels) and well defined milestones and time-line for implementation. IVFRT is one of the central MMPs in the NeGP which is conceptualized with an aim to enhance the experience of in-bound and out- bound travelers from and to India by looking into the aspects of Passport, Visa, Immigration, Foreigners’ IMMIGRATION, VISA, FOREIGNERS’ REGISTRATION AND TRACKING (IVFRT) – AN MMP DR. B. N. SHETTY DDG, NIC [email protected] DR. R. K. MISHRA Technical Director [email protected] N. K. PRASAD Principal Systems Analyst [email protected] C. L. SHARMA Technical Director [email protected] The entire IVFRT system envisages the information capture from Visa applicants’ details till their exit from India and utilizes these sets of information for intelligence decision making at every stage. This system would facilitate information exchange between MHA, MEA and other agencies such as BoI and FRRO / FRO as role based access control.

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Lead Story

4 | informatics.nic.in | October 2012

PRELUDE The National E-Governance Plan

(NeGP) approved by Government ofIndia (GoI) in 2006 comprises of 27Mission Mode Projects (MMP) thatincludes 9 central, 11 state and 7Integrated MMPs spanning multipleMinistries/ Departments. “MissionMode” implies that the objectives andthe scope of the projects are clearly

defined and there are measurableoutcomes (service levels) and welldefined milestones and time-line forimplementation. IVFRT is one of thecentral MMPs in the NeGP which isconceptualized with an aim to enhancethe experience of in-bound and out-bound travelers from and to India bylooking into the aspects of Passport,Visa, Immigration, Foreigners’

IMMIGRATION, VISA, FOREIGNERS’REGISTRATION AND TRACKING (IVFRT) – AN MMP

DR. B. N. SHETTYDDG, [email protected]

DR. R. K. MISHRATechnical [email protected]

N. K. PRASADPrincipal Systems Analyst

[email protected]

C. L. SHARMATechnical [email protected]

The entire IVFRT system envisages the information capture from Visaapplicants’ details till their exit from India and utilizes these sets ofinformation for intelligence decision making at every stage. This systemwould facilitate information exchange between MHA, MEA and otheragencies such as BoI and FRRO / FRO as role based access control.

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Registration and Tracking. MMP-IVFRT under NeGP was approved bythe Cabinet in May 2010 with a vision‘to develop a secure and integratedservice delivery framework thatfacilitates legitimate travelers whilestrengthening security’.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES Based on the vision, the MMP-

IVFRT’s objectives are based aroundthe core values of security, facilitationand enablement, which includes :

l Improving efficiency andeffectiveness of the I-V-FR&T systemto facilitate legitimate travelers andprevent illegal immigration

l Developing an integrated ICTsystem across the functions ofImmigration, Visa and Foreigners’Registration and Tracking, as part of abroader emphasis on ImmigrationControl

l Developing a secure and integratedinformation collection and

dissemination system for intelligence-driven decision making

l Providing data confidentiality andintegrity to secure privacy and securityof the immigration system

OUTREACH OF THE MMP-IVFRTThe MMP-IVFRT has widest spread

within the country and also abroad.Hence, implementation of the IVFRTat multiple locations in secured way isthe most challenging job for NIC aswell as other stake holders. The Spreadis as follows :

l Over 170 Indian Missions abroad

l 81 Immigration Check Posts

l 12 FRROs under BoI

l Central Foreigners’ Bureau (CFB)

l Central IVFRT Office

l Disaster Recovery Centre

l 716 FROs

l 37 Passport Offices

l MEA, MOIA, Customs andSecurity Agencies

PROPOSED IVFRT SYSTEM ANDKEY COMPONENTSThe proposed IVFRT system is

envisaged as an asynchronous systemwith one central system. The systemwould enable cross flow of requisitedata for Unique Case File (UCF)creation and updation includingtraveler history, biometric andbiographic information as well as riskassessment. Additionally, interfaceswith external systems such as Airlines,Hotels, Hospitals, and Universities etc.are envisaged. It is proposed thatinterfaces be built for interfacing withother NeGP initiatives such as passportseva, eMigrate, CCTNS as well asother programs such as UID.

The entire IVFRT system envisagesthe information capture from Visaapplicants’ details till their exit fromIndia and utilizes these sets ofinformation for intelligence decisionmaking at every stage. This systemwould facilitate information exchangebetween MHA, MEA and otheragencies such as BoI and FRRO /FRO as role based access control. Thesystem would facilitate visainformation data and its sharing withICPs (under MHA) to enable viewingtraveler’s visa information at ICPs.

Similarly, relevant informationrelated to passenger’s tracking andregistration data, would be shared withconsular officials to enable them tomake informed decisions.

MODULES OF MMP-IVFRTUnique Case File (UCF)The UCF is a construct that is

designed to maintain all informationabout an individual traveler together.The biometric and biographicinformation is used to create

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uniqueness. Susequently all extensionspertaining to the person i.e. visa, visaestension, registration and travelhistory along with special events thatmay have occurred, such as arrests,deportations, new passport etc. arealso updated in the UCF file. The UCFdata is linked to main transactionaldatabases.

Online Visa Application RegistrationApplicant fills his/ her visa

application online using web basedonline application submission systemon the central system.

One can also take his onlineappointment for meeting with consularofficials and make e-payment wherecountries have accepted above policyof e-payments. With each subsequentvisits the UCF is enriched with latestinformation like visa details, ICPdetails, registration details, visa denials,deportation records, stay details athotels/hostels, hospitals etc. andacademic performance/attendance etc.

PRC System and Visa Issurance

Certain category of applicant requireapproval from HQ prior to issuance ofVisa from missions. Such recordsmove among verification agencies,States-District agencies and MHA.Based on these report the decision forVisa grant is taken by MHA.Subsequently, based on the Visa grant,visa stickers are personalized andprinted with inclusion ofpersonalization features such as MRZ,photo, letter screen image. Status ofVisa application is updated on theonline web application status indicator.

Immigration Control System15 minutes after flight departure

from foreign airport, Airline sendsFlight Manifest Data, APIS and PNRdata adhering to UNEDIFACTstandards to central system. Based onreceived Flight Manifest Data, thecentral system transfers all requireddata pertaining to each of thepassengers to respective ICPs, afteranalysis before arrival of flight. Uponarrival of vessel, each passenger’s

passport is scanned on the intelligentdocument scanner. The system shallbe extended for biometric verificationat ICPs. Based on the risk assessmenteach passenger is cleared or furtheraction is taken accordingly. Thecounter officer stamps the passportand clears the passenger for customschecks. The D/E cards are scanned inthe back room for identifying andentering non-system populated fieldse.g., port of boarding or change inaddress in India. The updated UCF forall the passengers travelled through theICP is maintained at central system.

Foreigners’ Registration andTracking (FRT)Applicants, who are required to

register, fill their registrationapplication online using web basedonline application submission systemon the central system. It will bepossible for the applicant to modifydata or dates only up to 2 workingdays prior to the appointment.Appointments apply to all nationalitiesexcept for nationals of Pakistan as theyare required to register within 24 hoursof arrival. Additionally, for any arisingsmall number of emergency situations,foreigners can visit the FRRO / FROeven if they don’t have an onlineappointment.

Online system validates the entereddetails and accepts fees using thedefined online payment modes. Withrespect to fee payments, theapplication would currently provide apayment gateway where every FRRO/ FRO will need to provide the‘acquiring’ bank details. Alternatively,FRRO / FROs will be able to continuereceiving payments as they currentlydo in addition to online paymentfacilities if they choose to do so with aplan to divert most of the payment

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traffic to the online channel.

Applicant takes online appointmentfor meeting registration officials tosubmit physical copy of the supportingdocument, provide biometrics andinterview for registration. Based on theappointment dates relevant UCF datacan be pushed or pulled to the specificFRRO / FRO office. Applicant arrivesfor interview on specified date.Documents generated during theregistration process are also linked tothe central record.

C Form C Forms are also automated and are

uploaded through an online mediumby hotels, hospitals, hostels,dharmashalas, and universities to thecentral system. The relevant FRRO /FRO will have access to this data andwill be updated in the UCF for analysispurposes, generating risk assessments,tracking as well as generation of alerts.

Other vital ApplicationsBesides all these, other vital modules

like online NRI/ PIO RegistrationSystem, Indian Citizenship, OverseasCitizenship of India (OCI), Arms

license database are being operational.

Present Status of IVFRTl Installation/ upgradation ofinfrasrtucture at 78 ICPs.

l ICS software is functional at all ICPs

l Networking of ICPs with CFB.

l Installation of PRMs, QDXmachines, Web Cameras & CCTV forImmigration requirements.

l Centralized APIS implemented atAirports.

l Facility made available at importantICPs for access to Passport Visa Data.

l Online registration of Visaapplication module implemented at 81missions abroad.

l FRRO Registration moduleimplemented at all 7 FRROs & 3FROs.

l Integration of ICS Software withVisa Module implemented.

l Immigration Support Centre & VisaSupport Centre become functional.

l Central IVFRT office established atShastri Park.

l Online submission of ‘C’ Formmodule implemented.

FinaleAs per the set milestones of MMP-

IVFRT, NIC has successfully achievedthe set targets in the stipulated timeframe. But, still many more targets areto be achieved and need based featuresare to be added as per the emergingrequirements of stake holders. Theareas where replications/strengthening are to be done arenetworking of ICPs and Missions,digitization of D/E Cards, installationof modern ICT equipments at ICPs,implementation of Biometrics,development of Software forintegration with Custom establishmentof Disaster Recovery Centre forIVFRT.

Hon’ble Home Minister Sh. P. Chidambaram, Inaugurating theCentral IVFRT Office at DMRC Building Shashtri Park

Hon'ble Home Minister Sh. P. Chidambaram during the Groupmeeting

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONDr.B.N.Shetty

Deputy Director General

National Informatics Centre

A-Block, CGO Complex

Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003.

T:+911124362753/24305153

F:+911124392225

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