International air travel could soon become easier for Indian passengers with the expansion of the Digi Yatra facility. The government has started testing the service for international travellers at selected airports, allowing eligible passengers to use digital identity verification during different stages of their airport journey.
According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the trial will run during November and December 2026 at seven major airports across India. Initially, the facility will be available only to eligible Indian citizens carrying e-passports and travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
The government plans to consider expanding the service in 2027 after reviewing passenger feedback and the results of the trial. Here is what international travellers need to know about the new facility.
Digi Yatra Trial Starts at These 7 Airports
The international passenger trial of Digi Yatra is being conducted at seven airports:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Kochi
- Amritsar
Passengers will be able to use the facility at designated airport entry points, security hold areas and boarding gates.
However, the service is not currently available to everyone travelling internationally. Access is restricted to passengers meeting the eligibility conditions and travelling on flights included in the trial.
Who Can Use Digi Yatra for International Travel?
At present, international Digi Yatra services are limited to a specific group of passengers. To use the facility, travellers must meet the following requirements:
- The passenger must be an Indian citizen.
- They must have an e-passport.
- Their journey must be on an international flight included in the trial.
- They must generate verifiable digital credentials linked to their e-passport through the Digi Yatra app.
Simply installing the Digi Yatra app will not be enough. Passengers must complete the required passport-based identity verification before using the service.
How to Create Your Digital Identity on the Digi Yatra App
International passengers need to register their e-passport details and generate digital credentials before accessing Digi Yatra services.
The process involves these steps:
- Open the Digi Yatra app on your smartphone.
- Scan the MRZ (Machine-Readable Zone) printed on your e-passport.
- Enable NFC on your phone and scan the electronic chip embedded in the passport.
- Take a selfie using the app to complete identity verification.
- Once verification is successful, your digital credentials will be stored in the Digi Yatra wallet on your device.
After completing these steps, eligible passengers can use the facility at participating airport locations and designated boarding points.
Digi Yatra May Expand to More International Flights in 2027
The Civil Aviation Ministry has indicated that the international Digi Yatra trial will continue through November and December 2026. Passenger experiences and feedback collected during this period will help the government decide how to expand the service.
A wider rollout is planned for 2027. However, the final list of participating airports and the number of international flights covered will depend on the outcome of the trial.
For now, Indian travellers planning an overseas journey should check whether their airport and airline are participating before relying on Digi Yatra for their travel process.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and is based on the details provided about the international Digi Yatra trial. Eligibility conditions, participating airports, airlines and service availability may change following government decisions. Passengers should check official Digi Yatra and Civil Aviation Ministry announcements before travelling.