What happened? GDRFA Dubai launched Click & Travel, a mobile service that allows passport-control officers to complete airport entry and departure procedures away from fixed service points.
Who is affected? All passengers can use the service for departures, while the initial arrival phase covers UAE citizens and residents.
Why does it matter? GDRFA Dubai says biometric verification can allow a transaction to be completed in approximately 12 to 15 seconds, giving airport teams more flexibility during periods of high passenger traffic.
- Location: Dubai airports
- Organisation: General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai)
- Launch: September 7, 2026
- Who is covered: All departing passengers; UAE citizens and residents arriving in the initial phase
- Processing time: Approximately 12–15 seconds
- Pilot: 31,373 transactions completed between May and August 31, 2026
- What’s next: GDRFA Dubai is exploring additional uses for the mobile system
What is Dubai’s Click & Travel service?
Dubai’s Click & Travel is a new GDRFA Dubai mobile immigration service that brings passport-control procedures directly to passengers instead of requiring them to move to a fixed immigration point.
GDRFA Dubai officially launched the service on September 7, 2026, describing it as the world’s first mobile service designed to complete entry and departure procedures at Dubai airports during peak periods and emergencies.
The service works through mobile devices integrated with GDRFA Dubai’s systems and databases. It also uses biometric verification technology to confirm passenger identity and complete the required transaction.
According to GDRFA Dubai, the process takes approximately 12 to 15 seconds.
•
— GDRFA DUBAI ????? ??? (@GDRFADUBAI) September 8, 2026
???? ????? ??? "???? ?????"? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ?????.
????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????… pic.twitter.com/9PPDjvwShg
How does Click & Travel work at Dubai airports?
Click & Travel allows passport-control officers to move around the airport and process passengers at their location when the service is deployed.
Instead of passengers always having to find a fixed immigration counter or service point, officers can use the mobile system to verify passenger information and identity before completing the relevant entry or departure procedure.
GDRFA Dubai says the system can be activated when passenger traffic increases or when airport operations face additional pressure.
This gives airport teams more flexibility in managing passenger movement and deploying resources where they are needed.
The service does not mean fixed immigration facilities are being removed. Instead, Click & Travel provides an additional mobile option that can be used when operational conditions require it.
Who can use Click & Travel when travelling from Dubai?
For departures, Click & Travel is available to all passengers, including UAE citizens, residents and visitors.
For arrivals, the first phase is limited to UAE citizens and residents.
GDRFA Dubai says the scope of the arrival service will be gradually expanded according to approved plans and operational requirements. The authority has not disclosed a specific date for when all arriving passengers will become eligible.
This distinction is important for tourists arriving in Dubai. At launch, visitors should not assume that Click & Travel will be available to them during arrival procedures.
How many passengers have used Click & Travel?
GDRFA Dubai says 31,373 transactions were completed through Click & Travel during its pilot operation, which ran from May through August 31, 2026.
The figure indicates that the system had already been tested in Dubai airport operations before its official launch.
GDRFA Dubai said the pilot results demonstrated the service’s ability to operate efficiently within the airport environment and supported the decision to continue developing it.
However, the 31,373 figure refers to transactions during the pilot period and does not represent the number of passengers who will use the service after the full launch.
Why does Dubai need another airport immigration service?
Dubai’s exceptionally high passenger traffic makes flexible immigration processing increasingly important.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 95.2 million guests in 2025, a 3.1 per cent increase from 2024. Dubai Airports said it was the busiest year in DXB’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic recorded by any airport.
DXB also recorded 454,800 flight movements during 2025. December was the airport’s busiest month, with 8.7 million guests.
These numbers help explain why Dubai is looking beyond traditional fixed immigration points. During particularly busy periods, a mobile system can give GDRFA Dubai another way to manage passenger flows without relying entirely on fixed service locations.
For UAE residents, the biggest practical change is the additional flexibility Click & Travel could provide when leaving or entering Dubai.
The key points are:
- Departing residents and visitors are eligible for the service.
- Arriving UAE citizens and residents are covered in the initial phase.
- Biometric verification supports the identity-checking process.
- Transactions can take approximately 12–15 seconds, according to GDRFA Dubai.
- The service can be deployed during peak passenger traffic and operational pressure.
- It is an additional service, rather than a replacement for existing immigration facilities.
For Dubai’s tourism and aviation sectors, faster passenger processing can also support the wider airport experience. This is particularly relevant as DXB continues to handle record levels of international traffic.
Could Click & Travel expand to other airport services?
GDRFA Dubai says it is exploring the possibility of using Click & Travel for services beyond entry and departure procedures.
The authority has not yet announced exactly which additional services could be added or when they could become available.
GDRFA Dubai said the mobile platform has been designed to support future development and could eventually deliver other services and processes connected to the passenger journey, subject to operational and security requirements.
That means the current launch should be viewed as the starting point for a broader mobile service model rather than a final list of features.
Is Click & Travel replacing Dubai’s Smart Gates?
No. Click & Travel is not a replacement for Dubai’s existing Smart Gates.
Smart Gates provide fixed, automated biometric processing points for eligible travellers. Click & Travel instead allows GDRFA Dubai officers to take the immigration service directly to passengers when required.
The two systems therefore serve different operational purposes.
Click & Travel gives GDRFA Dubai more flexibility during periods when passenger movement needs to be managed quickly, while existing automated facilities continue to handle passengers through established airport procedures.
FAQs
What is Click & Travel in Dubai?
Click & Travel is a GDRFA Dubai mobile immigration service that allows passport-control officers to complete entry and departure procedures at passengers’ locations inside Dubai airports.
When did Dubai launch Click & Travel?
GDRFA Dubai launched Click & Travel on September 7, 2026.
How long does Click & Travel take?
GDRFA Dubai says biometric verification and transaction completion can take approximately 12 to 15 seconds.
Can tourists use Click & Travel when leaving Dubai?
Yes. GDRFA Dubai says Click & Travel is available for departures to all passengers, including UAE citizens, residents and visitors.
Can tourists use Click & Travel when arriving in Dubai?
Not in the initial phase. GDRFA Dubai says the arrival service initially covers UAE citizens and residents. The authority plans to gradually expand the scope, but no specific date for visitor eligibility has been announced.
Will Click & Travel offer more services in the future?
GDRFA Dubai is exploring additional uses for the mobile platform beyond entry and departure procedures. Specific future services have not yet been announced.
Dubai’s Click & Travel service gives GDRFA Dubai a new way to manage airport immigration during busy periods and operational pressure. The system uses mobile technology and biometric verification to allow officers to process passengers away from fixed service points.
With 31,373 pilot transactions already completed and DXB handling a record 95.2 million guests in 2025, the mobile approach could become an important addition to Dubai’s wider smart-airport strategy.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
