The Digi Yatra international trial began on 1 November at seven Indian airports. If you fly abroad on Air India or IndiGo with an e-passport, you may now be able to use facial recognition at some checkpoints. Here is who can use it, how to register and what it does not change.
Quick answer
- Trial start: 1 November 2026, running through December.
- Airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar.
- Airlines: Air India and IndiGo, on selected international flights.
- Who can use it: Indian citizens with an e-passport that has a chip.
- Still needed: your passport, visa and immigration checks.
How the Digi Yatra international trial works
According to reports published on 30 October, the trial lets eligible passengers use a digital credential built from their e-passport. It can work at terminal entry points, security hold areas and boarding gates. However, this depends on what each airport has installed.
The aim is to speed up some checkpoints. It does not make international travel paperless. Passport checks, airline checks and immigration still apply, so carry your original documents.
Digi Yatra is run by the Digi Yatra Foundation, a non profit that includes the Airports Authority of India and private airport operators. The reports say the trial will run until December, and feedback will shape a wider rollout in 2027.
Who can register for Digi Yatra on international flights
You need an e-passport, which is a passport with an embedded chip. Regular passports without a chip are not eligible in this phase. You must also be flying on Air India or IndiGo on a selected international route. Air India’s trial covers all its international destinations.
Not sure whether your passport has a chip? Look for the small gold chip symbol on the cover. If it is missing, your passport is likely the older type.
How to set up Digi Yatra with an e-passport
Registration happens in the Digi Yatra app, and it is best done before the day of travel. Your phone needs NFC and the latest version of the app. The steps reported are:
- Scan the machine readable zone at the bottom of your passport photo page.
- Hold the phone against the passport so NFC can read the chip.
- Take a selfie for facial verification.
- Check your details and confirm.
If you used the app for domestic flights, our guide to Digi Yatra registration steps shows how the earlier process worked. The international version adds the passport chip step.
What it means for you
For now, the benefit is small but real, mainly for frequent flyers from the seven airports. Meanwhile, travellers from the Northeast or Kolkata will not see it yet, because none of those airports is on the trial list.
Because it is a trial, it may not work at every gate. So keep your boarding pass and passport ready, and arrive early as usual. Check your airline and airport notices before you travel.
FAQ
Is Digi Yatra mandatory for international flights?
No. It is optional and works only for eligible e-passport holders during the trial. You can still use the regular queues and checks.
Which airports have the Digi Yatra international trial?
The trial covers Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar airports. It started on 1 November and is expected to run until December.
Can I use Digi Yatra with a regular passport?
Not in this phase. The reports say only Indian nationals with an e-passport can use the international trial.