Centre notifies Bhogapuram as immigration check post

Visakhapatnam: The Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district has been granted Immigration Check Post (ICP) status after the Central government issued a notification on Monday.The newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport received its aerodrome licence from aviation authorities three days ago. With construction completed, the airport is expected to be inaugurated by the end of this month. The grant of ICP status fulfils a key regulatory requirement for handling international passengers.Immigration Check Post status is mandatory for airports handling international operations. At these border control checkpoints, government officials verify travellers’ passports, visas and other travel documents, confirm their identity, and determine their legal eligibility to enter, leave or transit through the country.The ministry of home affairs (MHA) issued the notification through an amendment under Section 4(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. With this notification, Bhogapuram Airport has been included as the 39th Immigration Check Post under Category I (Airports) in the list of authorised immigration check posts.Bhogapuram becomes the third airport in Andhra Pradesh, after Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, to receive Immigration Check Post status. These airports facilitate the entry and departure of foreign nationals and Indian citizens travelling abroad.The airport features a 78,000-square-metre terminal building, designed in the shape of a flying fish.