Dubai: More than 21 million passengers cleared immigration within minutes in 2023

More than 21 million travellers cleared passport control within minutes at Dubai airports in 2023, it was announced Monday. This is a 55 per cent increase compared to nearly 13.5 million passengers that used the gates in 2022.

According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, these travellers breezed through 127 smart gates at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) without any assistance from immigration officials.

In October last year, the GDRFA told Khaleej Times that five gates at DXB Terminal 3 were enhanced, with the facial recognition feature added. Travellers are able to clear procedures within seconds without having to even take out their documents. All they need to do is look at the green light over the enhanced smart gates.

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Emirates passengers in Concourse B, Terminal 3, can check-in, clear immigration and board their flights at selected gates by facial recognition.

These gates and travel paths are powered by the latest biometric technology — a mix of facial and iris recognition.

Other smart gates at Dubai airport terminals are contactless, too, but require the scanning of passports or Emirates ID of arriving and departing passengers.

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