As the two-month summer break in the UAE comes to a close, airports in the country are bracing for an influx of residents returning from their vacations. With Dubai International (DXB) expecting to receive a significant number of travelers, the airport has implemented measures to streamline the passport control process and expedite immigration procedures.
DXB’s Expected Influx
Dubai International (DXB), the world’s largest airport, is poised to receive approximately 3.3 million travelers over the next 13 days as residents return from their summer holidays. Recognizing the increased footfall, the airport’s operator has taken steps to enhance the passenger experience, particularly at passport control.
Smart Gate Advantages for Families
In a recent advisory, DXB airport encouraged passengers traveling with families to take advantage of smart gates to expedite passport control processes. Passengers aged 12 and above can utilize smart gates, which enable swift immigration formalities. For travelers aged 4 to 12, dedicated passport control counters have been set up, allowing them to independently stamp their passports.
Success of Smart Gate Implementation
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) revealed that during the first half of the year, approximately 36% of the 26 million passengers passing through DXB opted to use smart gates. These passengers successfully completed immigration procedures by simply looking at the green light atop the cameras at the smart gates, bypassing the need for document scanning.
Eligibility Criteria for Smart Gates
UAE and GCC citizens, residents, individuals eligible for visa on arrival, and travelers with pre-issued visas are eligible to use the smart gates. However, they must be registered and meet a minimum height requirement of 1.2 meters.
Checking Eligibility
To check their eligibility for using smart gates, passengers can visit the GDRFA website and follow these steps:
- Visit https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/smart-gate-inquiry
- Enter Emirates ID or passport number.
- Provide date of birth and gender.
Upon submission, passengers will receive one of two messages: “Record is registered. You can use smart gates” in green, indicating eligibility; or “Record is not registered. You need to be registered to use smart gates while traveling” in red, indicating the need to complete registration.
