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Dubai unveils 'click and travel' service to fast-track airport passport checks
AE💻 TechnologyCenter9/8/2026

Dubai unveils 'click and travel' service to fast-track airport passport checks

Dubai has introduced a new service called 'Click and Travel' to streamline passport checks at its airports. This initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), utilizes portable devices equipped with advanced biometric recognition technology, including facial and iris scans, allowing immigration officers to verify travelers' identities quickly. The service operates alongside existing smart gates and the Red Carpet tunnel, offering an alternative during peak times, particularly for families, children, and individuals with special needs. Initially available for all departing passengers and limited to Emirati nationals and UAE residents upon arrival, the service aims to reduce wait times and enhance the overall travel experience. It was tested in October and officially rolled out at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in late September, with over 31,000 passengers participating in the pilot phase.

Dubai authorities have launched a new mobile immigration service called 'Click and Travel', aimed at streamlining passport checks and reducing queues at the country's airports. The service, officially introduced on September 7, enables immigration officers to conduct passport procedures directly at passengers' locations using handheld devices equipped with advanced biometric technology. This innovation marks a shift from traditional fixed counters to a more flexible, mobile approach in managing passenger flow. The 'Click and Travel' service operates by utilizing facial recognition, electronic passport reading, and secure connectivity to verify traveler information rapidly. Officers can complete arrival or departure procedures without requiring passengers to approach a fixed counter. According to GDRFA Dubai, the service processes each transaction in approximately 12 to 15 seconds, significantly cutting down on wait times. During its trial phase, over 31,373 passengers were processed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system. The service is available to UAE nationals, residents, GCC nationals, and visitors, and can be utilized for both arrival and departure procedures. It complements existing systems like smart gates and the Red Carpet service, which allow passengers to clear immigration swiftly without presenting passports or boarding passes. However, 'Click and Travel' does not replace these established methods but serves as an additional tool to enhance flexibility and efficiency. Maj Gen Talal Al Shanqiti, assistant director general for airport operations at GDRFA Dubai, noted that the service acts as a backup for smart gates and the Red Carpet tunnel, particularly useful during periods of heavy congestion. Priority is given to families, children, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring smoother processing for vulnerable groups. The service can be deployed anywhere within the airport, offering a more adaptable solution compared to fixed counters. The implementation of 'Click and Travel' follows extensive testing phases. The initial trial began in October 2025 at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3, focusing primarily on families. In May 2026, the trial expanded to all terminals and diverse traveler categories. These tests allowed officials to evaluate the system's performance and refine its operation before the official launch on September 7, 2026. The initiative aligns with Dubai's broader strategy to modernize government services and streamline procedures in accordance with international standards. Developed in collaboration with key partners, including Dubai Airports and Emirates, the service reflects the city's commitment to enhancing the travel experience through technological advancements. The mobile device used in 'Click and Travel' integrates biometric verification and automated pre-checks, enabling officers to verify passengers and complete procedures securely while remaining mobile. This technology reduces the reliance on fixed counters, providing airports with greater flexibility in managing passenger processing areas. By eliminating the need for physical stamps at immigration checkpoints, the system enhances convenience and speeds up the overall travel process. As part of Dubai's ongoing efforts to optimize airport operations, 'Click and Travel' exemplifies the integration of smart technology into daily functions. With its ability to adapt to varying passenger volumes and offer personalized assistance, the service underscores the city's dedication to creating a more efficient and user-friendly environment for travelers. The continued expansion and refinement of such initiatives are expected to further enhance the quality and accessibility of services offered at Dubai's airports.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

4 reports

Gulf News logoGulf NewsParty-aligned🔒CenterFactual 95Objective 989/8/2026
Click and Travel: Who can use Dubai’s new airport service and how does it work?

Dubai International Airport has launched a new biometric passport-control service called 'Click and Travel' aimed at improving efficiency during peak travel times. The service allows immigration officers to move to passengers within the terminal to complete entry and exit procedures using mobile devices linked to the GDRFA Dubai's systems. It is available to UAE citizens, residents, and visitors departing, and initially to UAE citizens and residents arriving. The service complements existing systems like smart gates and the Red Carpet tunnel rather than replacing them. It is activated during high traffic, emergencies, or when managing queues, but is not a mandatory process for all travelers.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a new airport service implemented by a government agency without overtly praising or criticizing the initiative. It explains the service's purpose, functionality, and target users objectively. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing of the story, a

Why factuality (95): This article provides detailed information about the service, including launch date, target users, and operational conditions. It confirms the service is not a replacement for existing systems but an optional tool for managing passenger flow. This aligns with the Khaleej Times article, reinforcing t

Why objectivity (98): The article maintains a neutral tone, providing clear explanations without favoring any particular viewpoint. It presents the service's purpose, limitations, and implementation details objectively, without editorializing or emotional language.

Khaleej Times logoKhaleej TimesParty-alignedCenterFactual 95Objective 989/8/2026
Dubai airport’s new 'Click and Travel' service explained: What travelers need to know

Dubai airport has introduced a new 'Click and Travel' service aimed at streamlining passport control processes. This mobile system enables immigration officers to conduct arrival and departure procedures using handheld devices equipped with biometric verification, facial recognition, and electronic passport reading capabilities. Launched on September 7, the service was tested on thousands of passengers during a trial phase at Dubai International Airport. It allows officers to move to travelers rather than requiring passengers to approach fixed counters, offering greater flexibility in managing passenger flow. While the service is available to UAE nationals, residents, GCC nationals, and visitors, it complements rather than replaces existing fixed immigration counters.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the introduction of a new technological service at Dubai airport as a factual update, focusing on its features, functionality, and benefits without overtly endorsing or criticizing any political stance. The framing remains neutral, providing balanced information about the system

Why factuality (95): The article accurately describes the 'Click and Travel' service as a mobile passport-control initiative launched by GDRFA Dubai on September 7. It explains the technology used (biometrics, facial recognition, electronic passports) and mentions the service was tested on thousands of passengers. The i

Why objectivity (98): The tone remains neutral, focusing on explaining the service's features and benefits without expressing personal opinion or bias. The language is informative and objective, presenting facts without emotional appeal.

The National logoThe NationalParty-alignedCenterFactual 95Objective 989/7/2026
Dubai unveils 'click and travel' service to fast-track airport passport checks

Dubai has introduced a new service called 'Click and Travel' to streamline passport checks at its airports. This initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), utilizes portable devices equipped with advanced biometric recognition technology, including facial and iris scans, allowing immigration officers to verify travelers' identities quickly. The service operates alongside existing smart gates and the Red Carpet tunnel, offering an alternative during peak times, particularly for families, children, and individuals with special needs. Initially available for all departing passengers and limited to Emirati nationals and UAE residents upon arrival, the service aims to reduce wait times and enhance the overall travel experience. It was tested in October and officially rolled out at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in late September, with over 31,000 passengers participating in the pilot phase.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on technological advancements in airport security and does not present any political viewpoints or controversial issues. It provides factual information about the implementation of a new service without any apparent bias or ideological framing.

Why factuality (95): The article provides specific details about the 'Click and Travel' service including its implementation by GDRFA Dubai, the use of biometric technology, and quotes from Maj Gen Talal Al Shanqiti. These details align with what would be expected from a well-researched report on the topic. The only min

Why objectivity (98): The article presents information in a neutral manner, using direct quotes from officials and explaining the features and benefits of the service without apparent bias. It avoids emotionally charged language and maintains an objective tone throughout.

Khaleej Times logoKhaleej TimesParty-alignedCenterFactual 85Objective 789/7/2026
New mobile immigration service at Dubai airport clears travellers in 12 seconds

Dubai International Airport has introduced a new mobile immigration service called 'Click and Travel' that allows passport control officers to process passengers using handheld devices. This service utilizes biometric technology, facial recognition, and electronic passport reading to verify traveler information quickly and securely. The process takes approximately 12 to 15 seconds, significantly reducing wait times and improving passenger flow. The service is available to UAE nationals, residents, GCC nationals, and visitors, and can be used for both arrival and departure procedures. Officials noted that the mobile approach offers greater flexibility in airport operations and provides assistance to children and individuals with special needs by bringing services directly to passengers. During a trial period, the service processed 31,373 passengers.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the introduction of a new technological service at Dubai International Airport without overtly praising or criticizing the initiative. It focuses on the technical aspects, benefits, and implementation of the service, providing balanced information without leaning toward any left

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the launch of a new mobile immigration service at Dubai airport, citing details such as processing time (12-15 seconds), biometric technology, and quotes from officials like Saeed Ahmed Saeed. These claims align with typical reporting on technological advancements in airport s

Why objectivity (78): The article presents the new service in a positive light, emphasizing efficiency and innovation. It includes direct quotes from an official, which adds credibility, but the overall tone is promotional, highlighting benefits without presenting alternative viewpoints or potential challenges.

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