The e-gate facility will soon be installed in all airports in the country, said a senior official.
"The e-gate smart card system, which was installed two years ago in Dubai International Airport, will be soon in all the country's airports and the Interior Ministry plans to call it the Emirate Gate," said Brigadier Saeed Mattar Bin Bleilah, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
He said the e-gate has become obligatory for those applying for or renewing residence visas in Dubai. It will soon become obligatory for all UAE residents.
He said there will be free access for children who are under 15 because they do not need the e-gate card.
"All children can use the high quality services which means that they will pass with their parents through the e-gate and an immigration official will stamp their passport."
He said the facility will cover all the data about people who will use it and it will offer a high degree of security and safety because it will not allow any misuse of passports or visas.
A source from the ministry told Gulf News that the emirate gate project is under process. "We have bought 60 new e-gates and they will be installed in airports soon. We're working on the whole system," he said.
He said there are four e-gates in Dubai International airport and they will be increased to cover passengers to offer smooth movement without delay.
"The first step will be in Abu Dhabi International Airport followed by Sharjah International Airport as the emirate gates will be installed in those airports," the official said.
He said residents will be able to obtain the e-gate from the immigration departments in each emirate. The DNRD has installed the fast-track electronic passport control system at Dubai International Airport.
The e-gate card helps passengers complete passport control within a few seconds, using an electronically operated fool proof fingerprint identification system.
The new e-gate cost is Dh150 and the renewal cost is Dh100 every two years.
The use of e-gate technology would ensure that passengers do not queue up at the immigration counters.
Brigadier Bin Bleilah said the DNRD is also planning to extend the e-gate service by linking it with the e-gate system in the UK.
"As a first step, it will test the feasibility of this project by sending selected UAE national passengers to the UK, with the e-gate card. If this proves successful in the UK, the service will gradually be extended to other countries."
Gulf News
