Us Immigration: Dubai Airport's Unique Offering

Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of international passengers annually. While the airport boasts efficient immigration processes, it does not currently have US pre-clearance facilities. This means that passengers travelling to the US from Dubai must undergo immigration checks upon arrival in the US. However, there are plans to implement a pre-clearance facility at the new Al Maktoum International Airport, which is expected to be completed in approximately ten years. In the meantime, passengers travelling to the US from Dubai should be prepared to go through the standard immigration procedures upon landing in the US.

US preclearance at Zayed International Airport

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is one of only a handful of airports outside the US that offers a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility. This means that passengers travelling to the US can complete all immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at Zayed International Airport before they depart the UAE. This includes travellers with connecting flights from other countries, such as India.

The CBP preclearance facility is located in Terminal A, at the end of Pier C, and is available for all Etihad Airways flights to the US. It is the only CBP preclearance facility in the Middle East.

The process is intended to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at US ports of entry, and facilitate travel between the preclearance location and US airports that may not be equipped to handle international travellers. It also means that passengers arriving in the US will be treated as domestic passengers, allowing them to skip lengthy customs and immigration procedures and save time connecting to other flights or getting to their final destination.

To use the CBP preclearance facility, passengers must check in at Terminal A at least four hours before their flight and make their way to the facility two hours before departure, or 90 minutes if travelling in Business, First, or The Residence. The facility closes one hour before the flight.

Passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for travel authorisation from the US Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours before travelling and add Advance Passenger Information (API) to their booking at least one hour before departure. They must also complete a CBP Customs Declaration Form, available at check-in, on board, or in the Immigration Hall at Zayed International Airport. This form must be handed to a US airport customs official upon arrival in the US.

Those who are not US citizens or legal residents will need to head to the CBP preclearance facility to have their biometric and fingerprint data processed, along with other preclearance requirements.

US preclearance at Abu Dhabi Airport

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport is the only one of its kind in the Middle East. It is available for all Etihad Airways flights to the US. Passengers can use the CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app to save time and submit all required documents and information before they fly from Abu Dhabi.

To use the CBP Preclearance facility, passengers must check in at Terminal A at least four hours before their flight and make their way to the facility two hours before departure (90 minutes for Business, First, or The Residence class). The facility closes one hour before the flight. After completing the preclearance process, passengers can wait in the US CBP lounge.

The preclearance process is intended to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at US ports of entry, and facilitate travel to US airports that may not be equipped to handle international travellers. It is particularly beneficial for passengers with onward connections, as they do not have to worry about border delays causing them to miss their connecting flights.

The process of US preclearance

US preclearance allows travellers flying from certain approved airports to complete their entry procedures at their departure airport, rather than on arrival in the US. This means that passengers travelling to the US will undergo all processes relating to immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at their departure airport before they leave the country. Upon arrival in the US, they will be treated as domestic passengers, saving time connecting to other flights or final destinations.

The preclearance process is as follows:

• Request the service with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Provide details about the flight, passengers, and crew. This can be done through a ground handler.
• Submit APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System): For pre-clearance, this must be submitted at least one hour before the scheduled pre-clearance processing time, not the departure time from the pre-clearance airport.
• Pre-clearance approval: CBP will send an email notice of approval, including an appointment confirmation number.
• The pre-clearance procedure: Upon arrival at the pre-clearance airport, CBP will conduct the same procedures as at a US airport. Travellers and luggage are screened, and the aircraft is inspected.
• Departure: Crew, passengers, and luggage board the aircraft. CBP officers will send passenger information to their counterparts at the US arrival airport.
• Arrival: On arrival in the US, passengers are treated as domestic travellers. They can discard their garbage for CBP to collect. If the flight lands at a different airport from the one stated in the APIS, pre-clearance approval will be voided, and travellers will have to go through the standard entry process.

Preclearance is available at 15 locations worldwide, including Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. However, there are currently no pre-clearance facilities in Dubai.

Benefits of US preclearance

US preclearance is available at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. This is the only preclearance facility in the Middle East. Here are some benefits of US preclearance:

Streamlined Border Procedures and Reduced Congestion:

US preclearance facilities allow travellers to undergo immigration, customs, and security checks before departure, streamlining border procedures and reducing congestion at US ports of entry.

Convenience and Time Savings:

Travellers can save time by bypassing CBP and TSA inspection lines upon arrival in the US and directly proceeding to their connecting flights or final destinations. This is especially beneficial for those with onward connections, eliminating the risk of border delays causing missed connections.

Enhanced Security:

US preclearance enhances the safety and security of all travellers while facilitating efficient trade and travel. CBP officers can exclude inadmissible passengers and prohibited goods before departure, minimizing the risk of incidents in the US.

Domestic Flight Benefits:

Precleared travellers can enjoy the convenience of checked baggage being transferred directly to their next destination within the US. Additionally, baggage security screening meets TSA standards, providing peace of mind and a smoother travel experience.

Cost Savings and Market Access:

Airlines can access less expensive US domestic gates and more flexible arrival times. Preclearance also enables direct routes to over 160 US airports, enhancing market access and providing a competitive advantage for airlines.

Collaboration and Innovation:

US preclearance fosters greater collaboration between the US and host governments through regular interaction with local law enforcement and authorities. It also encourages the implementation of innovative technologies, such as facial recognition biometrics, to expedite passenger processing and manage increasing passenger volumes.

The future of US preclearance in Dubai

US preclearance facilities are operated by the US Department of Homeland Security. They allow travellers to pass through immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at foreign airports before boarding their flight to the US. This means that when they arrive in the US, they are treated as domestic passengers, bypassing border control procedures and saving time.

The US operates preclearance facilities at a number of airports in foreign countries, including in the United Arab Emirates. In December 2011, the government of Abu Dhabi signed a letter of intent to construct a terminal that would house a US border preclearance facility. The preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport was officially opened on January 26, 2014. It is the only US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in the Middle East and one of only a few outside of North America.

However, plans to open a preclearance facility at Dubai International Airport were cancelled due to the airport's open terminal design, which makes it difficult to achieve "the level of segregation" of travellers required by the US government. The Al Maktoum International Airport has incorporated designs to meet US preclearance standards, but it is unclear if there are plans to develop a preclearance facility at this airport.

Frequently asked questions