In a bold step towards revolutionizing air travel, Dubai International Airport has launched a cutting-edge passport control system that enables passengers to breeze through immigration in just seconds—without showing any physical documents.
Announced during Dubai AI Week, the initiative—called ‘Unlimited Smart Travel’—has been introduced by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the First and Business Class lounges at Terminal 3. The new system uses advanced artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to verify the identity of passengers on the move, eliminating the need for them to stop or interact with immigration officers.
According to the GDRFA, the service marks a “qualitative leap” in smart travel technology, aimed at enhancing the travel experience while also increasing operational efficiency at one of the world’s busiest airports.
10 Passengers in 14 Seconds
The innovation enables up to 10 passengers to clear passport control procedures simultaneously in under 15 seconds. This dramatic speed increase is powered by AI-driven facial recognition systems that automatically identify individuals as they pass through the designated smart gates in the lounge.
“This new service is designed in line with our mission to improve the quality of life for travellers and simplify travel procedures,” said the GDRFA in an official statement. “By cutting down on steps and reducing waiting times, we’re aiming to increase customer and staff satisfaction.”
A senior GDRFA official explained that the upgraded system is based on insights gained from the Smart Tunnel initiative introduced in 2020. Over the past five years, this program has laid the groundwork for using biometric data and AI for fast, paperless travel.
“In the current phase, we are moving away from traditional document checks. The system is now built to operate solely on facial recognition,” the official added. “Travellers can pass through as a group, with no need for scanning passports or boarding passes.”
How It Works
Inside the lounge, specially equipped zones are fitted with multiple high-resolution cameras that capture facial features from various angles as passengers walk through. The AI system instantly compares live imagery with pre-registered biometric data to confirm identities, without stopping the flow of movement.
Currently, the Unlimited Smart Travel system is available only to departing passengers in First and Business Class, but the GDRFA says it plans to expand the service to include all travellers in the near future, including arrivals.
Once a passenger registers their biometric data for the first time, it will be stored securely in the system for future use. This “register once, use anytime” model is expected to significantly streamline repeat travel.
Looking to the Future
The timing of this launch during Dubai AI Week underscores the city’s broader push to integrate artificial intelligence into public services. The initiative also shares many features with the ‘Travel Without Borders’ concept showcased at GITEX Global 2024, which envisions a future where travel is fully automated and barrier-free.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, emphasized the significance of these innovations during his keynote at the AI Innovations Conference. He noted that the system could make immigration processing up to 10 times faster than conventional methods.
With an 8 percent increase in travel volume expected, officials say these high-tech solutions will be crucial for managing future demand while maintaining security and efficiency.
As Dubai continues to push boundaries in smart travel, the Unlimited Smart Travel program sets a new global benchmark for how airports can leverage AI to transform the passenger journey—from document-based to entirely digital, seamless, and fast.
