UAE launches biometric app to speed airport immigration

DUBAI, UAE (MNTV) — The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new biometric smartphone application that enables eligible travellers to complete immigration procedures in advance, reducing airport clearance times to under 90 seconds, authorities said.

The “UAE Fast Track” app, activated this month by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, allows passengers to register before travel by scanning their passport and submitting facial and fingerprint data.

Once enrolled, travellers select their port of entry and proceed directly through Smart Gates on arrival at airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, where facial-recognition systems verify their identity against government databases.

Officials said the system recorded smooth operations during its initial rollout in mid-January, with immigration processing completed significantly faster than traditional passport-control procedures.

Airlines and airport service providers said the reduced processing time is expected to ease congestion during peak travel periods, including Ramadan and Eid, and improve overall on-time performance.

Authorities said the system also enhances border security by allowing biometric and travel data to be assessed in advance, enabling risk screening without increasing staffing levels at entry points.

The service is free to use and does not alter existing visa requirements or immigration regulations, officials said, adding that enrolment data is stored on government servers in line with national data-protection standards.

The authority indicated that Fast Track use could be expanded or made compulsory during high-traffic periods, similar to pre-arrival immigration systems used in other global travel hubs.

Travellers enrolled during the initial launch phase will be able to continue using the service throughout 2026 without re-registration, officials said.