On 17 November the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai quietly expanded access to its biometric Smart Gates at both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC). The automated lanes—now installed in every arrivals and departures hall—verify a traveller’s face against Emirates ID and passport databases and open in as little as six seconds, eliminating manual stamping.
Under the revised rules, six passenger groups may now use the gates: UAE citizens, GCC nationals, UAE residence-visa holders, visa-on-arrival passengers with biometric passports, Schengen-visa holders and travellers with pre-issued UAE entry permits. Children under 1.2 metres, first-time visitors and anyone with a visa-exception flag must still report to staffed counters.
![Dubai widens biometric Smart Gate eligibility, promising six-second clearance]()
The upgrade is significant for airlines and mobility managers. Emirates estimates the gates can process 60 passengers a minute—crucial capacity as DXB braces for nearly five million travellers during December’s holiday peak. Crew rotations and transit connections are expected to shorten by up to 30 minutes. Most residents are automatically enrolled after their first exit or entry, but visitors can check eligibility on the GDRFA website or the DubaiNow app.
Experts say the move is part of Dubai’s “No-Stop Border” vision that aims to make passport control invisible ahead of the emirate’s 2029 goal of handling 150 million passengers a year. For frequent business travellers, the practical advice is simple: remove sunglasses and masks before the gate, look straight ahead, and keep your passport handy in case of referral.
With biometric corridors already rolling out at boarding gates, Dubai is positioning itself alongside Singapore’s Changi and Amsterdam’s Schiphol as a leader in end-to-end touchless travel.
Under the revised rules, six passenger groups may now use the gates: UAE citizens, GCC nationals, UAE residence-visa holders, visa-on-arrival passengers with biometric passports, Schengen-visa holders and travellers with pre-issued UAE entry permits. Children under 1.2 metres, first-time visitors and anyone with a visa-exception flag must still report to staffed counters.
The upgrade is significant for airlines and mobility managers. Emirates estimates the gates can process 60 passengers a minute—crucial capacity as DXB braces for nearly five million travellers during December’s holiday peak. Crew rotations and transit connections are expected to shorten by up to 30 minutes. Most residents are automatically enrolled after their first exit or entry, but visitors can check eligibility on the GDRFA website or the DubaiNow app.
Experts say the move is part of Dubai’s “No-Stop Border” vision that aims to make passport control invisible ahead of the emirate’s 2029 goal of handling 150 million passengers a year. For frequent business travellers, the practical advice is simple: remove sunglasses and masks before the gate, look straight ahead, and keep your passport handy in case of referral.
With biometric corridors already rolling out at boarding gates, Dubai is positioning itself alongside Singapore’s Changi and Amsterdam’s Schiphol as a leader in end-to-end touchless travel.
