Dubai is changing how passengers clear immigration at its airports. Instead of always walking to a fixed passport control counter, travelers may soon find an officer approaching them with a handheld device to complete entry or exit formalities on the spot.
The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) officially launched “Click and Travel” on September 7, calling it the world’s first mobile service that allows passport control officers to process passengers anywhere inside airport terminals during peak times or operational emergencies.
The system links mobile devices to GDRFA Dubai’s central databases. Officers use biometric verification, facial recognition and electronic passport reading to confirm identities and complete transactions in about 12 to 15 seconds.
During a pilot phase running from May to August 31, 2026, the service handled 31,373 transactions across Dubai International Airport terminals. The trial began in October 2025 at Terminal 3, initially focusing on families, before expanding to all terminals and traveler categories in May 2026.
Unlike traditional immigration counters, Click and Travel lets officers move to where passengers are, rather than requiring everyone to queue at fixed points. This gives airport teams more flexibility to manage passenger flows, deploy staff where they are most needed and respond quickly to sudden surges in traffic.
The departure service is open to all passengers, including UAE citizens, residents and visitors. For arrivals, the first phase covers UAE nationals and residents, with plans to extend it to other categories as operational needs evolve.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of GDRFA Dubai, said the initiative marks a shift from simply improving existing procedures to redesigning the entire passenger experience. “We place people at the heart of the development process and harness advanced technologies to create an easier and more efficient travel experience,” he said.
Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, Assistant Director-General for Air Ports at GDRFA Dubai, said taking passport services directly to passengers reduces waiting points, speeds up responses to operational needs and improves overall passenger flow without compromising security.
Colonel Expert Khalid Bin Mediya Al Falasi, Assistant Director-General for Digital Services, explained that the service combines secure digital systems with field operations. Officers can access and verify passenger information on the move and complete procedures immediately, wherever the passenger is being processed.
Click and Travel does not replace Dubai’s existing smart gates or fixed immigration counters. Instead, it adds a mobile layer to the current infrastructure, giving authorities another tool to handle busy periods, assist children and People of Determination, and manage complex passenger situations more smoothly.
GDRFA Dubai is now exploring additional mobile services beyond entry and departure procedures, subject to security and operational approvals. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to develop smart ports, boost operational efficiency and make travel services more accessible and flexible for everyone passing through Dubai’s airports.
