DXB passport control goes mobile with Click and Travel

Passengers travelling through Dubai could see passport control officers move beyond fixed counters during busy periods and emergencies, following the launch of a new mobile service that allows entry and departure procedures to be completed at the passenger's location inside airport terminals. Called Click and Travel, the service from the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) uses mobile devices connected to the authority's systems and databases, with biometric verification used to confirm passengers' identities. GDRFA Dubai says transactions can be completed in approximately 12 to 15 seconds. The practical change for travellers is that passport control can be brought to passengers rather than requiring officers to work only from designated passport control points. Dubai airport passport control: How Click and Travel works Click and Travel is designed for use during peak periods and emergencies, when airport teams may need greater flexibility to manage passenger numbers and operational pressures. Officers use mobile devices integrated with GDRFA Dubai's systems to access and verify passenger information. Biometric verification is then used as part of the process before the entry or departure transaction is completed. The authority describes the service as the world's first mobile service of its kind, although the announcement does not provide details comparing it with similar systems at other airports. The pilot phase ran from May 2026 through August 31, 2026, during which GDRFA Dubai says the system handled 31,373 transactions. Who can use Click and Travel? The availability differs depending on whether a passenger is leaving or entering the UAE. For departures, the service is available to all passengers, including: UAE citizens UAE residents Visitors For arrivals, the first phase covers UAE citizens and residents. GDRFA Dubai says the service will be expanded in line with operational requirements. This means the service is not being presented as a replacement for all fixed passport control facilities. Instead, it gives airport teams an additional way to process passengers when circumstances require it. What does the new mobile passport control mean for passengers? The main potential benefit is flexibility during periods when passenger traffic puts additional pressure on airport operations. Instead of relying exclusively on fixed passport control locations, officers can operate elsewhere within the terminal and complete procedures on the spot. GDRFA Dubai says this approach can help teams manage passenger flows, allocate resources and respond to increased traffic while maintaining security and operational efficiency. For travellers, the announcement does not mean every passenger will automatically have their passport procedure completed by a mobile officer. The service is specifically intended to support operations during peak periods and emergencies, and its use will depend on operational requirements. How fast is the Click and Travel service? GDRFA Dubai says the mobile process takes approximately 12 to 15 seconds to complete. The authority also points to the 31,373 transactions processed during the pilot period as evidence of the service's operational readiness. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said the initiative reflects a shift from improving procedures to redesigning the 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 bringing passport services directly to passengers enables faster responses to operational needs, reduces waiting points and improves passenger flow while maintaining security and efficiency. Could more Dubai airport services become mobile? GDRFA Dubai says it is exploring additional mobile services beyond entry and departure procedures. Any expansion will be subject to approved operational and security requirements. The Click and Travel initiative forms part of GDRFA Dubai's broader work on developing smart ports and making travel-related services more flexible and accessible. For passengers, the immediate change is therefore less about a new immigration requirement and more about where and how passport procedures can be delivered when airport operations come under pressure. tanvir@dubainewsweek.com