Emirates rolls out biometric travel at Dubai Airport, enabling passport-free journeys

Emirates passengers transiting through Dubai can now travel seamlessly from check-in to boarding without showing a passport or phone. As part of an Dh85 million project, over 200 biometric cameras are being installed in Terminal 3. Developed with the GDRFA, the facial-recognition system allows registered travellers to clear all airport stages with a quick facial scan, identifying them from a metre away for a faster, contactless journey.

All Emirates passengers, whether UAE residents or visitors, can enrol for the service via the Emirates app, self-service kiosks, or check-in counters. After registration, travellers can access exclusive biometric lanes for a seamless journey each time they depart from or transit through Dubai.

Skip the queues with Emirates’ facial-recognition journey:

Step 1: Register

Join through the Emirates app, self-service kiosks, or check-in counters. Travellers aged 18 and above must be Emirates Skywards members, scan their passport, and give consent for biometric use.

Step 2: Check-in

Use facial recognition at kiosks instead of showing travel documents. The feature will soon cover connecting flights as well.

Step 3: Immigration

Glide through passport control using GDRFA Smart Gates at Terminal 3. The system is open to UAE citizens, residents, GCC nationals, and visa-on-arrival visitors with biometric passports.

Step 4: Lounge entry

Eligible passengers can access Emirates Lounges in Concourse B through five dedicated facial-recognition gates — no card or boarding pass needed.

Step 5: Boarding                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        At selected gates in Concourses A, B, and C, simply look at the camera to board — no need to present a boarding pass.