Digi Yatra International Flights 2026: Face Recognition Entry Trial Begins at 7 Airports, Know How to Use It

Digi Yatra International Flights Update 2026: International air travel from India could soon become more convenient as the Digi Yatra facility is being extended beyond domestic flights. A new trial is reportedly underway at seven major Indian airports, allowing eligible international passengers to use facial recognition technology at designated checkpoints.

The initiative aims to reduce the need for travellers to repeatedly present their boarding passes and identification documents during different stages of their airport journey.

According to the latest report, the trial is being conducted during November and December 2026 at selected airports, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Initially, the facility is available to eligible Indian citizens holding e-passports and travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.

However, passengers must remember that Digi Yatra does not eliminate the requirement to carry a valid passport or complete immigration formalities.

Digi Yatra Now Expanding to International Flights

Digi Yatra is a digital travel initiative that uses facial recognition technology to simplify passenger identification at participating airports.

Until now, the facility has primarily been associated with domestic air travel in India.

Under the international expansion, eligible travellers will be able to create a digital identity using their e-passports and the Digi Yatra mobile application.

Once their credentials are successfully verified, passengers may use facial recognition at designated airport checkpoints equipped with the required technology.

Instead of repeatedly searching for identification documents or boarding passes, passengers can look into a camera at supported checkpoints to complete identity verification.

The system then compares the facial information with the passenger's authorised digital identity.

If the verification is successful, the traveller may proceed through the relevant checkpoint.

Digi Yatra International Trial: List of 7 Airports

According to the report, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated the international Digi Yatra trial at seven airports.

The facility is being tested on selected international services rather than every flight departing from these airports.

The government is also expected to collect feedback from participating passengers during November and December 2026.

This feedback could help authorities evaluate the system's performance and identify improvements before any wider rollout.

Who Can Use Digi Yatra for International Travel?

The initial trial has specific eligibility conditions.

According to the reported arrangements, passengers must meet the following requirements:

• Be an eligible Indian citizen.

• Hold a valid Indian e-passport.

• Travel on a participating international flight operated by Air India or IndiGo.

• Complete the required digital identity registration through the Digi Yatra app.

• Use an airport checkpoint where the international Digi Yatra trial is supported.

Passengers travelling with other airlines or from airports not participating in the trial may not have access to the international facility.

Similarly, holding an ordinary passport without the required electronic chip may not satisfy the trial's e-passport registration requirements.

Travellers should confirm eligibility with their airline and the participating airport before departure.

How to Register for International Digi Yatra Using an E-Passport

The registration process involves creating a digital identity based on the information stored in the traveller's e-passport.

Here is how the reported process works.

Step 1: Download the Digi Yatra App

Install the official Digi Yatra mobile application from a trusted app store.

Ensure that the application is genuine and published by the authorised provider.

Step 2: Select the International Travel Registration Option

Open the application and follow the available instructions for creating an international travel credential.

The exact menu options may depend on the application version and the trial rollout.

Step 3: Scan Your E-Passport

Use the phone's camera to scan the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your e-passport.

The MRZ contains machine-readable passport information used during document verification.

Step 4: Read the Passport Chip Using NFC

An e-passport contains an electronic chip holding relevant identity information.

A smartphone with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability is required for the reported registration process.

Follow the app instructions to read the chip securely.

Step 5: Complete Facial Verification

The app will ask the traveller to take a selfie.

The facial information will be used during the identity verification process.

Ensure that your face is clearly visible and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Verify Your Details

Review the identity information shown in the application and confirm that it matches your passport.

Step 7: Save Your Digital Credential

After successful verification, a verifiable digital credential will be stored in the Digi Yatra wallet on the passenger's phone.

This credential can then be used at supported checkpoints during the international trial, subject to the applicable travel and airline requirements.

How Will Face Recognition Work at the Airport?

The Digi Yatra system uses facial recognition technology to identify registered passengers at participating checkpoints.

When a traveller approaches a supported entry gate, the installed camera captures facial information for verification.

The system compares this information with the authorised digital identity associated with the passenger.

If the verification is successful and the traveller meets the relevant checkpoint requirements, the gate may open automatically.

This process can reduce the time spent manually presenting documents at supported locations.

Depending on the airport's infrastructure and the trial arrangements, facial recognition may be available at selected entry, security or boarding checkpoints.

However, not every checkpoint is necessarily included in the trial.

Will International Passengers Still Need a Passport?

Yes. A valid passport remains mandatory for international travel.

The introduction of Digi Yatra does not replace immigration checks, visa requirements or other international travel regulations.

Passengers must continue carrying their original passports and any other required travel documents.

Airlines and immigration authorities may also request physical documents during verification.

The facility is intended to simplify selected airport identity checks, not eliminate the legal documentation required to enter or leave a country.

Therefore, passengers should never arrive at the airport relying only on the Digi Yatra app.

What Are the Benefits of Digi Yatra for International Passengers?

The international expansion could offer several practical advantages.

Faster identification: Facial recognition may reduce manual document checks at participating airport gates.

Less repeated document handling: Passengers may not need to repeatedly remove boarding passes or identification documents at supported checkpoints.

More convenient airport movement: Automated identity verification could make movement between certain checkpoints smoother.

Digital credential storage: Eligible travellers can maintain their verified travel identity within the Digi Yatra app.

Potentially shorter queues: If the technology performs efficiently and adoption increases, automated processing may help reduce congestion at selected checkpoints.

However, actual waiting times will still depend on passenger traffic, airport operations, security procedures and system availability.

Is Digi Yatra Mandatory for International Flights?

The reported international rollout is a trial involving selected passengers and flights.

Travellers who are not eligible for the facility should continue following the standard airport entry, check-in, security and immigration procedures.

Passengers should check the official instructions issued by the participating airport or airline regarding the availability and use of Digi Yatra.

The introduction of facial recognition should not be interpreted as a requirement for every international traveller to register for the service.

Conclusion

The reported extension of Digi Yatra to international flights marks an important development in India's airport digitalisation efforts.

The trial at seven airports—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai and Amritsar—aims to make selected airport identity checks more convenient through facial recognition.

Initially, eligible Indian e-passport holders travelling on participating Air India and IndiGo international flights are expected to benefit.

To use the facility, travellers must create a digital credential by scanning their e-passport, reading its electronic chip through an NFC-enabled smartphone and completing facial verification.

Although the technology could reduce repeated document checks, passengers must still carry their passports and complete all mandatory security and immigration procedures.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the supplied report. Trial availability, participating flights, supported checkpoints and registration procedures should be confirmed through official Digi Yatra, airline and airport announcements before travelling.