A perfect travelling experience begins right from the airport, and there can be no better example than Dubai International Airport when it comes to taking care of a passenger’s comfort.
The airport welcomed 23 million passengers in Q1 2024, an 8.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, and is set to welcome 91 million guests by the end of the year, surpassing its previous annual traffic record of 89.1 million in 2018.
As summer holidays in the UAE continue, the country’s airports have geared up for heavier-than-usual passenger rush.
DXB will welcome over 3.7 million guests in the period from June 12 to 25, with an average daily traffic of 264,000. June 22 is expected to be the busiest day with guest numbers likely to exceed 287,000.
A hassle-free journey
There are several facilities that can help a make a passenger’s journey as smooth as possible.
For instance, Emirates passengers can take advantage of the airline’s home, early and self-check-in facilities, including city check-in options.
Meanwhile, families with children over 12 can expedite the passport control process by using smart gates.
Moreover, it’s preferable to use the Dubai Metro to get to and from the airport and between Terminals 1 and 3 to avoid road congestion.
What are smart gates?
Smart gates help passengers fly through the immigration in a matter of seconds. They are a faster alternative to the traditional manned immigration desks you would find at arrival and departure terminals globally.
A passenger registered to use the smart gate simply must stand in a designated area, look into a camera and wait for the instructions on the screen. If everything goes well, the gates open and the passenger can pass through. Many smart gates at Dubai airport don’t need any documents, but it’s still a good idea to keep your Emirates ID, passport and boarding pass handy in case they are needed.
What to keep in mind while using the smart gate
Most importantly, take off any glasses, caps or masks you might be wearing. Then, stand exactly in the designated zone and look directly into the camera positioned at the gate and wait for a few seconds. The screen will then display your details. Additionally, as you step into the smart gate zone, the screen may ask you to place your passport or Emirates ID for scanning.
Are there any fees for using the smart gate?
No, there is no additional fees for using the smart gate.
Can anyone use the smart gate?
Anyone who is registered for the service can use it. This includes UAE and GCC nationals as well as UAE-based expats.
Visa-on-arrival guests can also use smart gates with ease.
According to the Dubai airport website, all guests who have recently arrived at DXB are likely to have been registered when they entered the immigration touchpoint.
Who should not use the smart gate?
People of determination and guests with large strollers should avoid using the smart gates. Also, families with children shouldn’t use the facility. Moreover, guests who are under 15 years old or under 1.2 metres in height should also not use the gates, according to the airport’s website.
How to check if you can use the smart gate?
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) has launched a service through which any passenger can check if they can use the smart gate facility.
To check your eligibility, keep any of the four details handy:
- File number
- UDB number
- Emirates ID
- Passport
The file number and UDB number are mentioned on your visa.
Once you have any one of these details handy, follow the below steps:
- Go to the GDRFA web page here
- Select the radio button of one of the four options: File number, UDB number, Emirates ID or passport number
- If choosing file number, select the file type – resident or permit. Then select place of issue and enter the number in the field provided. Then, enter your date of birth and select your gender. Finally, select the captcha and hit submit.
- If choosing UDB number, enter the number, followed by your date of birth. Then select your gender, select the captcha and hit submit.
- When selecting Emirates ID, enter the figure in the field provided, followed by date of birth, gender and captcha check.
- When selecting passport number, enter the passport number in the text box, followed by nationality and date of birth. Finally, select your gender, clear the captcha and hit submit.
Once you submit the form successfully, the website will tell you if you are eligible to use the smart gates or not.
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