Travelers entering or leaving through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can complete passport control in just a few seconds. However, many passengers still wait in traditional passport control queues because they are unaware of their eligibility to use the Smart Gates system.

As biometric border control technologies expand in Dubai, travelers can now check their eligibility for Smart Gates before their trip using an online tool that takes less than a minute to complete.

How to check if you can use Dubai Airport Smart Gates

Dubai Airports has simplified the eligibility check through the Smart Gates PreCheck service. This service is available via DXB’s real-time flight information platform, Pocket Flights.

Travelers can access this tool from anywhere in the world before their trip to confirm their eligibility before arriving at the airport.

To use this service:

▪️Visit dxb.pocketflights.com on your mobile phone.
▪️Select the Smart Gates PreCheck option.
▪️Open your passport to the photo page.
▪️Scan the passport within the frame displayed on the screen.
▪️The system will indicate within seconds whether you are eligible to use the Smart Gates.

Passengers already at DXB can also access the same service directly by scanning QR codes installed at the arrival and departure passport control areas.

The process is designed to eliminate the need for manual passport data entry and is considered one of the fastest methods to check Smart Gate eligibility.

How to use Smart Gates at DXB

If eligible, using the Smart Gates is very simple. Passengers should:

▪️Stand on the designated spot in front of the gate.
▪️Remove any face coverings, including masks, hats, and sunglasses.
▪️Look directly at the camera and focus on the green light.
▪️Wait for the facial recognition technology to verify biometric data.
▪️Once identity is confirmed, the gate opens automatically, allowing the passenger to proceed without interacting with a passport control officer.

Passengers can also check their registration status through the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).

After entering the Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration section, users can search using one of the following:

▪️Emirates ID details
▪️Passport number and nationality

If the passenger is registered in the system, a confirmation message is displayed almost immediately.

However, the DXB Smart Gates PreCheck tool is generally faster as it only requires a passport scan instead of manual data entry.

Do you need to pre-register to use Smart Gates?

No, pre-registration is not required. Passengers who have recently entered the UAE through DXB may have been automatically registered in the system during immigration and passport control procedures.

This means many tourists or returning travelers may be eligible to use the Smart Gates without realizing it.

What are Dubai Airport Smart Gates?

Smart Gates are automated border control systems operated by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.

This technology uses facial recognition and biometric identity verification to process passengers through passport control within seven to 13 seconds. Consequently, it replaces traditional document checks and significantly reduces waiting times.

Eligible passengers can pass through passport control during the identity verification process without presenting a physical passport or boarding pass.

Who can use Smart Gates?

The system is available to various groups of travelers, including:

▪️UAE nationals
▪️GCC nationals
▪️UAE residents
▪️Visa-on-arrival travelers
▪️Travelers from Schengen area countries
▪️Holders of pre-issued UAE visas
▪️Returning tourists with biometric passports

New Red Carpet service for border crossing in Dubai

Dubai has gone beyond Smart Gates with the launch of the Travel Without Borders – Red Carpet service, which is considered one of the most advanced biometric border control technologies in operation.

This service allows eligible passengers to complete border control procedures simply by walking through a dedicated path, without presenting travel documents or stopping to interact with immigration officers.

Powered by AI and biometric recognition technology, the system has reduced average border processing time from 12.5 seconds to just 3.4 seconds—a reduction of approximately 60 percent.

The technology can process information for up to 10 passengers simultaneously and completely eliminates the need for paper documents and physical contact.