Dubai is taking another step toward making border procedures faster and less dependent on traditional passport counters. The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) is preparing to present a package of biometric, mobile and visa services at Arabian Travel Market 2026, highlighting how technology is becoming increasingly integrated into the visitor journey.
The authority will showcase its solutions during the four-day travel exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre from September 14 to 17. According to Gulf News, the presentation will include the Red Carpet biometric clearance system, the recently launched Click and Travel service, long-term tourist visa options and services designed to provide additional benefits to visitors during their stay.
The initiatives point to a broader strategy that goes beyond simply digitising existing immigration procedures. Dubai is increasingly redesigning the process around passengers, using biometric identification and mobile technology to reduce waiting points while giving airport teams more flexibility during periods of heavy traffic.
Mobile passport control changes the airport experience
One of the central technologies being presented is Click and Travel, a mobile passport-control service launched by GDRFA Dubai in September. Instead of directing every traveller to a fixed immigration desk, the system allows authorised officers equipped with connected mobile devices to process passengers at different locations inside an airport terminal.
The technology combines access to immigration databases with biometric identity verification. Entry or departure procedures can therefore be completed in approximately 12 to 15 seconds in suitable cases.
The scale of its pilot programme provides an early indication of how the system can work in a major international aviation hub. From the beginning of pilot operations in May through August 31, 2026, Click and Travel was used to complete 31,373 transactions.
Its mobile format is particularly relevant during peak travel periods, emergencies or other situations in which passenger flows need to be managed quickly. Rather than relying exclusively on permanent processing points, airport authorities can deploy officers where additional capacity is required.
For departures, the service is available to UAE citizens, residents and visitors. The first phase for arriving passengers covers UAE citizens and residents, while its availability is expected to expand gradually in accordance with operational and security requirements.
Click and Travel is designed to complement Dubai’s broader smart-border infrastructure rather than simply replace existing immigration channels. Together with biometric systems and automated passenger screening, mobile processing gives authorities another tool for managing growing traffic without making the airport journey more complicated for travellers.
Biometric technology reduces reliance on documents
GDRFA Dubai will also highlight its Red Carpet service at Arabian Travel Market. The system uses biometric verification to identify travellers and complete passport-control procedures without requiring passengers to repeatedly produce travel documents during different stages of the process.
The significance of biometric processing extends beyond shorter queues. Automated identity checks can help airports handle larger passenger volumes while maintaining security standards, an increasingly important consideration for Dubai as it continues to strengthen its position as an international aviation and tourism centre.
The strategy also reflects a wider shift in airport technology. Instead of treating immigration as a single checkpoint, digital systems can connect different stages of the passenger journey. Automated pre-screening, biometric verification and secure access to official databases allow authorities to process information earlier and respond more efficiently when passenger numbers increase.
For Dubai, such infrastructure has a direct economic dimension. Easier airport procedures can support the emirate’s tourism, business and residency sectors by reducing friction for international visitors. This becomes particularly relevant for repeat travellers who regularly enter the UAE for business, leisure or investment purposes.
Dubai puts more emphasis on flexible entry options
Technology is only one part of GDRFA Dubai’s presentation at ATM 2026. The authority will also provide information about visa programmes intended to give international travellers more flexibility when planning visits to the UAE.
Among them is the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. It allows eligible travellers to enter the country repeatedly without requiring a sponsor or host in the UAE, subject to applicable regulations and conditions. The format is particularly suited to people who make frequent trips to the Emirates rather than planning a single short visit.
Another option being highlighted is a 60-day entry visa available to eligible nationals of certain countries who reside abroad. The service expands the range of entry arrangements available to qualifying visitors and forms part of the UAE’s broader effort to accommodate different travel patterns.
Tourists arriving through Dubai’s ports can also learn about the ALSAADA Card programme. The initiative provides access to offers and discounts from participating businesses across sectors including hospitality, restaurants, retail, travel, healthcare, beauty and vehicle services. Visitors can activate the related application using their passport information and access available benefits during their stay.
Bringing biometric border systems and flexible visa programmes together at Arabian Travel Market illustrates how Dubai is approaching tourism infrastructure as a connected ecosystem. Faster immigration alone cannot determine the competitiveness of a destination, but when combined with convenient entry rules, digital services and strong transport connectivity, it can remove several practical barriers from international travel.
As competition between global tourism hubs intensifies, the quality of the arrival and departure experience is becoming part of a destination’s wider proposition. Dubai’s latest initiatives indicate that the emirate sees immigration technology not simply as an administrative upgrade, but as infrastructure capable of supporting tourism growth, business mobility and its long-term position as an international travel hub.