Business travellers who dread long passport-control lines at Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports have just been handed a powerful new shortcut. On 18 January the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) quietly switched on “UAE Fast Track”, a smartphone application that lets eligible passengers complete all immigration formalities before they even board the aircraft. After a one-time enrolment that captures a passport scan, selfie and fingerprint set, travellers simply select their port of entry and walk through the Smart Gates on arrival; facial-recognition cameras match their biometrics to government databases and the gate opens—typically in under 90 seconds. (visahq.com)
The app’s first full day of live operations on 16 January saw smooth processing at all three airports, ICP officials told local media. For corporate mobility teams the upside is immediate: project staff, short-term assignees and VIP clients can be enrolled before departure, virtually eliminating the eight-to-ten-minute queues that often cause missed connections at peak times. Airlines and handling companies say shorter arrivals processing should also improve on-time performance during the coming Ramadan and Eid peaks.
Travellers who still need entry permits or want assistance navigating UAE visa options can streamline that step too: VisaHQ’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers corporate accounts, bulk uploads and real-time status tracking, making it easy to secure the right visa before activating Fast Track and flying out.
![UAE Unveils ‘Fast Track’ Biometric App to Clear Immigration in 90 Seconds]()
Security authorities benefit as well. Receiving biometric and itinerary data in advance allows the ICP to run risk-profiling algorithms without adding head-count at the border. Officials hinted that Fast Track enrolment could become mandatory in future high-volume periods, mirroring Singapore’s “SG Arrival Card” model.
From a compliance perspective the service is free and does not change existing visa rules or overstay penalties, but companies should update pre-trip check-lists to encourage enrolment and review the app’s data-privacy disclosures (facial images and fingerprints are stored on government servers). Early adopters report that bulk registration of travelling employees takes less than five minutes per person and shaves up to 30 minutes off total journey time.
Practical tip: add the Fast Track QR-code link to assignment letters and pre-departure briefings now; authorities have confirmed that travellers registered in January will be able to use the service throughout 2026 without re-enrolment.
The app’s first full day of live operations on 16 January saw smooth processing at all three airports, ICP officials told local media. For corporate mobility teams the upside is immediate: project staff, short-term assignees and VIP clients can be enrolled before departure, virtually eliminating the eight-to-ten-minute queues that often cause missed connections at peak times. Airlines and handling companies say shorter arrivals processing should also improve on-time performance during the coming Ramadan and Eid peaks.
Travellers who still need entry permits or want assistance navigating UAE visa options can streamline that step too: VisaHQ’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers corporate accounts, bulk uploads and real-time status tracking, making it easy to secure the right visa before activating Fast Track and flying out.
Security authorities benefit as well. Receiving biometric and itinerary data in advance allows the ICP to run risk-profiling algorithms without adding head-count at the border. Officials hinted that Fast Track enrolment could become mandatory in future high-volume periods, mirroring Singapore’s “SG Arrival Card” model.
From a compliance perspective the service is free and does not change existing visa rules or overstay penalties, but companies should update pre-trip check-lists to encourage enrolment and review the app’s data-privacy disclosures (facial images and fingerprints are stored on government servers). Early adopters report that bulk registration of travelling employees takes less than five minutes per person and shaves up to 30 minutes off total journey time.
Practical tip: add the Fast Track QR-code link to assignment letters and pre-departure briefings now; authorities have confirmed that travellers registered in January will be able to use the service throughout 2026 without re-enrolment.
