International air travel from Amritsar is set to become more convenient, with the DigiYatra facility scheduled to begin its live trial for international passengers at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on November 1, 2026.
The initiative will extend facial recognition-based passenger processing to eligible Indian nationals travelling abroad with electronic chip-enabled passports, commonly known as e-passports. The facility is expected to simplify the airport entry process and reduce the need for repeated document verification at designated checkpoints.
Amritsar is among seven Indian airports selected for the international passenger trials, alongside Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin and Chennai. The programme is being introduced as part of DigiYatra’s expansion beyond domestic air travel.
Face Recognition to Simplify Airport Entry
Under the trial, eligible passengers will be able to use facial recognition technology to establish their identity at enabled airport touchpoints.
Face scanners have already been installed at the Amritsar airport, and the necessary technical preparations have been completed. The readiness test for the facility has also reportedly been conducted successfully.
Once the live trial begins, passengers will be able to use their digital travel credentials for identity verification, making the entry process more convenient and time-efficient.
The system is designed to reduce repeated identity checks while maintaining the existing mandatory travel procedures.
Who Can Use the DigiYatra Facility?
The facility will initially be available only to a specific category of international passengers.
Indian nationals holding e-chip-enabled passports and travelling on eligible international flights will be able to participate in the trial.
Passengers will need to create an e-passport-based digital credential through the DigiYatra mobile application. The process involves scanning the passport's machine-readable section, reading its embedded electronic chip using a compatible smartphone's Near Field Communication (NFC) feature, capturing a selfie and verifying the details.
The digital credential will then be stored in the passenger's DigiYatra wallet for use at participating airport checkpoints.
International Arrivals and Domestic Passengers Excluded
The initial trial will focus on passengers departing from India on international flights.
Passengers arriving in Amritsar from overseas will not be covered under the departure-focused trial. Similarly, domestic passengers will continue to follow the existing airport entry procedures.
The facility will also be available only at designated touchpoints where the required infrastructure is operational.
Importantly, DigiYatra will not replace mandatory airline document checks, immigration procedures or other travel formalities. Passengers will still be required to carry their travel documents.
A Step Towards More Seamless International Travel
The introduction of DigiYatra for international passengers marks a significant step towards modernising passenger processing at Amritsar airport.
The technology is expected to reduce waiting time and make airport entry more efficient, particularly during busy travel periods.
The trial will help assess the effectiveness of passport-based digital credentials and facial recognition for international travel. Passenger feedback and operational experience are expected to play an important role in shaping the future expansion of the facility.
With Amritsar joining the international DigiYatra trial, the airport is moving towards a more technology-driven passenger experience while retaining existing security and immigration requirements.