Dubai has launched a new mobile immigration service that allows passport-control officers to complete passengers’ entry and departure procedures inside airport terminals, without requiring travellers to move to fixed immigration service points.
The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) launched the service, called “Click & Travel,” on September 7, 2026. The service has been introduced to improve passenger movement during periods of high traffic, operational pressure and emergencies at Dubai airports.
The system changes the traditional process by bringing immigration services directly to passengers. Instead of passengers moving to a fixed immigration counter, passport-control officers can move through the terminal and process travellers at their location.
According to GDRFA Dubai, the service operates through mobile devices integrated with the authority’s systems and databases. The devices use biometric verification technology to confirm passengers’ identities and complete the relevant procedures. A transaction can be completed in approximately 12 to 15 seconds, according to the Dubai government.
The service is designed to give airport authorities greater flexibility in managing passenger flows. Officers can be deployed to areas where additional immigration capacity is required, allowing procedures to be completed without passengers necessarily having to wait at fixed service points.
“Click & Travel” is not intended to replace Dubai’s existing immigration infrastructure. Instead, it provides an additional mobile option that can be deployed when operational conditions require greater flexibility. GDRFA Dubai said the service can be used during periods of increased passenger traffic and other situations requiring a rapid operational response.
The service has already undergone pilot operations. According to GDRFA Dubai, approximately 31,373 transactions were completed between the start of pilot operations in May 2026 and August 31, 2026. The results of the pilot were used ahead of the service’s official launch.
The availability of the service differs between departures and arrivals. For departing passengers, Click & Travel is available to UAE citizens, residents and visitors. For arrivals, the first phase covers UAE citizens and residents. GDRFA Dubai said the scope for arriving passengers will be expanded gradually according to approved plans and operational requirements.
The mobile system is also intended to support airport teams when passenger numbers increase suddenly. By allowing officers to reach passengers rather than relying exclusively on fixed locations, GDRFA Dubai says the system can help reduce waiting points and improve the movement of travellers through airport terminals.
The authority has described Click & Travel as part of its wider effort to develop Dubai’s smart ports and integrate digital technology into border and immigration services. GDRFA Dubai said the technology could eventually be expanded to cover additional services connected to the passenger journey, subject to operational and security requirements.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said the initiative reflects a move beyond simply improving individual procedures towards redesigning the passenger experience. The authority said its approach is focused on using technology to provide services that are more flexible and responsive to passengers’ needs.
Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, Assistant Director General for Air Ports at GDRFA Dubai, said the service provides greater flexibility in managing passenger movement and allows immigration teams to respond more quickly to operational requirements.
GDRFA Dubai said it will continue developing Click & Travel and examine opportunities to expand the range of services that can be completed through mobile devices. Any future expansion will be subject to approved operational and security requirements.
The launch adds another digital immigration option to Dubai’s airport infrastructure, with the immediate focus on providing a mobile response during busy periods and situations where passenger flow requires additional flexibility.
