Dubai Airport Introduces Passport-Free Smart Gates, Cuts Immigration Time to 3.4 Seconds

Dubai International Airport has launched a new biometric Smart Gates system that allows eligible passengers to pass through immigration without presenting their passports at several checkpoints. The initiative aims to speed up passenger processing during the busy summer travel season while reducing waiting times.

The new Smart Gates Eligibility PreCheck service, developed with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), allows passengers to determine if their travel documentation meets the requirements for the airport’s biometric immigration gates before they enter into the airport’s passport control process.

How Dubai Airport Smart Gates Work

The new digital service is user friendly and not passengers should install a separate mobile application. The Dubai Airport portal, dxb.pocketflights.com, can be accessed on smart phones and QR codes are available across the various terminals.

Passengers just choose the Smart Gates PreCheck option, take a picture of the photo page of their passport with their phone, and get an instant response on whether they are permitted to access the Smart Gates.

Eligibility is decided at the biometric gates, which use facial recognition technology to complete immigration in seconds without the need to deal with manual counters.

Immigration Time Reduced to Just 3.4 Seconds

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced facial recognition technology has significantly enhanced the processing speed at Dubai International Airport.

The average time taken to clear immigration is now down to 3.4 seconds from 12.5 seconds, meaning passengers can pass through the airport quicker during busy travel times.

Who Can Use Dubai Airport Smart Gates?

The Smart Gates service is available for:

• UAE citizens
• GCC nationals
• UAE residents
• Travellers eligible for visa on arrival
• Passengers from Schengen countries

Eligible travellers can enjoy a faster and more seamless immigration experience without waiting in long queues.

Over 9 Million Passengers Already Used Smart Gates

In the first half of 2026, over 9 million passengers passed through Smart Gates, with Dubai Airports reporting a rising trend in the use of biometric immigration services.

The airport is also bracing up for a hectic summer, with the capacity to accommodate over 265,000 passengers every day at Dubai International Airport. The new Smart Gates Eligibility PreCheck service is expected to be a significant factor in boosting the flow of passengers and augmenting the overall travel experience.