Arriving passengers at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) found a surprise in their passports on 3 December: a limited-edition immigration stamp depicting the UAE’s founding fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) said the ‘Eid Al Etihad 2025’ stamp is part of a week-long celebration of the federation’s 54th anniversary. Uniformed officers and costumed mascots greeted families at arrivals, handing out UAE-flag lapel pins and posing for selfies—a gesture aimed at reinforcing the country’s brand of hospitality at the first point of entry.
![Dubai airports issue commemorative ‘Zayed & Rashid’ passport stamp for 54th National Day]()
While the stamp is largely symbolic, it underscores how Gulf hubs increasingly use the immigration hall as a marketing canvas. Similar campaigns in previous years have highlighted Expo 2020, COP28 and the Dubai Fitness Challenge. For frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts, the collectible stamp adds “experiential value” and may increase dwell-time in duty-free areas, operators say.
Corporate travel managers should note that the commemorative mark does not affect visa validity, exit/entry rules or overstaying calculations. However, longer queues were reported at peak bank-holiday arrival waves; premium-lane upgrades or meet-and-greet services may be advisable for tight business itineraries this week.
GDRFA confirmed the stamp will be applied through 7 December, coinciding with heightened passenger volumes during the National Day long weekend and the start of Dubai Shopping Festival.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) said the ‘Eid Al Etihad 2025’ stamp is part of a week-long celebration of the federation’s 54th anniversary. Uniformed officers and costumed mascots greeted families at arrivals, handing out UAE-flag lapel pins and posing for selfies—a gesture aimed at reinforcing the country’s brand of hospitality at the first point of entry.
While the stamp is largely symbolic, it underscores how Gulf hubs increasingly use the immigration hall as a marketing canvas. Similar campaigns in previous years have highlighted Expo 2020, COP28 and the Dubai Fitness Challenge. For frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts, the collectible stamp adds “experiential value” and may increase dwell-time in duty-free areas, operators say.
Corporate travel managers should note that the commemorative mark does not affect visa validity, exit/entry rules or overstaying calculations. However, longer queues were reported at peak bank-holiday arrival waves; premium-lane upgrades or meet-and-greet services may be advisable for tight business itineraries this week.
GDRFA confirmed the stamp will be applied through 7 December, coinciding with heightened passenger volumes during the National Day long weekend and the start of Dubai Shopping Festival.
