Dubai Airport Smart Gates: Who Can Use Them?

who can use smart gates at dubai airport

Dubai Airport's smart gates are an automated self-service border control system that uses facial recognition technology to swiftly identify travellers. Three groups of people can use the smart gates: UAE and GCC Nationals, UAE residents, and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports. To use the smart gates, travellers must be registered. Registration can be checked via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website, which will inform travellers if their record is registered.

Characteristics Values
Number of smart gates 112
Who can use it? UAE and GCC Nationals, UAE residents and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports, Emirates ID cardholders
Who cannot use it? People of Determination (individuals with disabilities or impairments), guests with large strollers, families with children, guests under 1.2 meters in height, under 15s
Registration Registration can be done by visiting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website

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UAE and GCC Nationals

To check if you are registered, you can use the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website. This will allow you to check your eligibility to use the Smart Gate Service. To do this, you will need to visit the GDRFA website and follow the instructions.

Alternatively, you can use the 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration' online service, available on the GDRFA-Dubai official website. To do this, first visit the website. Then, scroll down on the homepage and click on the 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration' button. Next, choose one of the following options:

  • File Number: You can find the file number on the visa sticker in your passport or on the e-visa you received as a visitor. If you choose this option, you will then need to select the file type ('Resident' or 'Permit'), choose the Emirate that issued the visa, and enter the file number.
  • UDB Number or Emirates Unified Number
  • Emirates ID number
  • Passport Number: Enter your nationality and passport number.

After this, enter your date of birth and select your gender. Then, click on the 'I'm not a robot' captcha and click 'Submit'. You will then be informed by GDRFA-Dubai if your record is registered.

If you are registered for the Smart Gates service, you can pass through by looking at the green light, without needing to scan any documents. However, you should keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed. You should also remember to remove anything covering your face, such as masks, glasses, and hats.

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UAE residents

  • Visit the GDRFA-Dubai website - gdrfad.gov.ae.
  • Scroll down on the homepage until you see the service, 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration'.
  • Click on the red 'Start Service' button.
  • Choose one of the following options:
  • File Number - You can find the file number on the visa sticker on your passport or on the e-visa you received as a visitor. If you choose this option, you must select the file type as 'Resident' or 'Permit', choose the Emirate that has issued the visa, and enter the file number.
  • UDB Number or Emirates Unified Number
  • Emirates ID number
  • Passport Number – Enter your nationality and passport number.
  • Enter your date of birth.
  • Select your gender.
  • Click on the 'I'm not a robot' captcha.
  • Click on the 'Submit' button.
  • You will then be informed by GDRFA-Dubai if your record is registered.

If you are registered for the smart gates, you can pass through by looking at the green light, without needing to scan any documents. However, remember to remove anything covering your face, such as masks, glasses, or hats, and keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed.

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Visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports

If you are a visa-on-arrival guest with a biometric passport, you can use the smart gates at Dubai Airport. The smart gates are an automated self-service border control system that uses facial recognition technology to identify travellers. There are 112 smart gates across DXB's Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

To use the smart gates, simply look at the green light—there is no need to scan any documents. However, you must remove anything covering your face, such as masks, glasses and hats, and keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed.

You are likely to have been registered to use the smart gates when entering the immigration touchpoint. To check your eligibility, you can visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can use the online service 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration' from GDRFA-Dubai. To do this, first visit the website gdrfad.gov.ae. Then, scroll down on the homepage until you see the service, 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration', and click on the red 'Start Service' button. Next, choose one of the following options:

  • File Number: You can find the file number on the visa sticker on your passport or on the e-visa you received as a visitor. If you choose this option, you must then select the file type as 'Resident' or 'Permit', choose the Emirate that has issued the visa, and enter the file number.
  • UDB Number or Emirates Unified Number
  • Emirates ID number
  • Passport Number: Enter your nationality and passport number.

After this, enter your date of birth, select your gender, and click on the 'I'm not a robot' captcha and then 'Submit'. You will then be informed by GDRFA-Dubai if your record is registered.

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Emirates ID cardholders

To use the smart gates, Emirates ID cardholders need to ensure they are registered for the service. Registration can be done by visiting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website and following the instructions. Most international passengers who pass through the passport control checkpoint at Dubai Airports may already be registered for Smart Gates. However, it is essential to confirm eligibility through GDRFA-Dubai.

Once registered, Emirates ID cardholders can pass through the smart gates by simply looking at the green light, without needing to scan any documents. However, it is important to have your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed. Additionally, any coverings on the face, such as masks, glasses, or hats, should be removed to facilitate accurate facial recognition.

It is worth noting that specific groups are ineligible to use the smart gates at Dubai Airport, including people of determination (individuals with disabilities or impairments), guests with large strollers, families with children, and guests under 1.2 meters in height. Emirates ID cardholders who meet these criteria will need to use alternative means to pass through passport control.

Overall, the smart gates at Dubai Airport offer a convenient and time-saving option for Emirates ID cardholders, providing an efficient way to navigate passport control during their travel journey.

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Registered passengers with a height of 1.2 metres and above

If you are a registered passenger with a height of 1.2 metres and above, you can use the smart gates at Dubai Airport. Registration is required to use the smart gates, and most international passengers who have recently travelled through the passport control checkpoint at Dubai Airports are likely to have been registered.

To check if you are eligible to use the smart gates, you can use the 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration' online service available on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) website. To do this, visit the GDRFA-Dubai website and scroll down to the 'Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration' service. Click on the red 'Start Service' button and follow the instructions provided. You will need to provide your passport number, nationality, date of birth, and gender. After submitting your information, the GDRFA-Dubai website will inform you if your record is registered.

If you are registered, you can pass through the smart gates by simply looking at the green light, without needing to scan any documents. However, it is important to keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed. Additionally, make sure to remove anything covering your face, such as masks, glasses, or hats, as the smart gates use facial recognition technology for identification.

It is important to note that the smart gates are not accessible for individuals under 1.2 metres in height, as well as people with disabilities or impairments, guests with large strollers, families with children, and those under 15 years of age.

Frequently asked questions

Three groups of people can use the smart gates at Dubai Airport: UAE Nationals and GCC Nationals, UAE residents, and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports.

Most international passengers who passed through the passport control checkpoint at Dubai Airports may have been registered for Smart Gates. You can check your eligibility on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website.

You will need to have your passport and boarding pass ready. You will also need to remove anything covering your face, such as masks, glasses, and hats.

Stand on the footstep poster and look at the green light to follow the instructions on the screen.

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