Announcements

Dubai brings mobile immigration to airports with ‘Click & Travel’

Published

1 month ago

September 9, 2026

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Dubai is changing the way some passengers pass through immigration, with a new mobile system that allows officers to process travellers without requiring them to approach a traditional immigration counter.

Called Click & Travel, the service uses handheld devices equipped with biometric verification, facial recognition and electronic passport-reading technology. GDRFA Dubai officially launched it on 7 September after testing it on more than 31,000 passengers.

The move raises an obvious question: if immigration officers can now move around the terminal with the technology needed to clear passengers, how much will the traditional passport-control process actually change?

And what does Click & Travel mean for travellers who are already familiar with Dubai’s smart gates?

Here is how the new system works.

What is Click & Travel?

Click & Travel is a mobile passport-control service that allows immigration officers to complete passengers’ arrival and departure procedures using handheld devices.

Rather than every traveller having to approach a fixed immigration counter, officers can take the device to the passenger and carry out the necessary checks there.

The system is connected securely to official databases, giving officers access to the information needed to verify a traveller and complete the immigration process.

It is designed to work alongside Dubai’s existing immigration infrastructure, rather than replace it.

How does it work?

The handheld system brings several parts of the immigration process together.

It can read electronic passports, verify biometric information and use facial recognition. Automated checks are also carried out as part of the process.

Once the passenger’s details have been verified, the officer can complete the relevant immigration procedure through the device.

The key difference is that the technology is no longer tied to a fixed desk.

How fast is it?

GDRFA Dubai says a Click & Travel transaction takes around 12 to 15 seconds.

During the trial period, the system processed 31,373 passengers, allowing authorities to assess how it performed in real airport conditions before its official launch.

Who can use Click & Travel?

The service is available to:

UAE nationals
UAE residents
GCC nationals
Visitors

It can be used for both arrivals and departures at Dubai’s airports.

Does it mean immigration counters are going away?

No.

Click & Travel is an additional way of processing passengers, rather than a wholesale replacement for conventional immigration counters.

The system gives airport staff more flexibility over where immigration procedures take place.

That could be useful during busy periods, when passenger flows need to be adjusted, or when certain travellers would benefit from being processed where they are rather than having to move to a fixed counter.

What about Dubai’s smart gates?

Click & Travel does not replace the smart gates.

Dubai International Airport already uses automated passport-control systems that allow eligible passengers to complete immigration with minimal interaction with an officer.

The new service works differently.

With a smart gate, the passenger goes to the technology.

With Click & Travel, the technology can go to the passenger.

That distinction is at the heart of the new system.

Why is Dubai introducing it?

For airport authorities, flexibility is one of the main attractions.

Passenger numbers can fluctuate considerably during the day, and airports need to be able to respond when particular areas become crowded.

A fixed immigration counter cannot easily be moved. A handheld device can.

The system therefore gives immigration teams another way to manage passenger flows and potentially reduce the time travellers spend waiting at fixed points.

Can children and People of Determination use it?

Yes.

The mobile nature of the system could be particularly useful for passengers who need additional assistance.

Children and People of Determination can be processed without necessarily having to approach a conventional immigration counter, with the officer able to bring the device to them.

When was it first tested?

Click & Travel has been in development for almost a year.

The first trial began in October 2025 at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, initially focusing on families.

A second phase began in May 2026, expanding the trial across Dubai’s airport terminals and to different categories of travellers.

Following the trial, GDRFA Dubai officially launched the service on 7 September 2026.

What does it mean for passengers?

For travellers, there is no new app to download or separate procedure they need to learn.

The change is largely behind the scenes.

Passengers may still use smart gates or traditional immigration counters, depending on their circumstances. But where Click & Travel is used, an immigration officer can complete the process away from a fixed desk.

The broader aim is to make the journey through immigration quicker and more adaptable, particularly when airports are dealing with heavy passenger traffic or travellers who require additional assistance.

Could this change the way airport immigration works?

Click & Travel is part of a wider shift towards technology-based immigration at Dubai’s airports.

Smart gates have already reduced the need for some face-to-face passport checks. Biometric technology has made identity verification increasingly automated.

Click & Travel adds another possibility: keeping the immigration officer, rather than the passenger, mobile.

For now, it is another option within Dubai’s passport-control system.

But its introduction suggests that the future of airport immigration may not be defined by how many counters an airport has — but by how easily the technology can move to wherever passengers need it.

Related Topics:#clickandtravel #dubai #Dubainews #travel #travelnews

Sudhashree Dash

With 20 years of experience across print, TV, and digital journalism, Sudhashree is a seasoned media professional with a keen eye for news. A true news bug, she thrives on curating stories that capture the pulse of fashion, film, and all things trending. Deeply immersed in the fast-evolving media landscape, she swears by the power of social media to shape narratives and spark conversations.

Announcements

MIRAL Joins 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 as official experience partner

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

Sudhashree Dash

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Yas Island will become the official experiences partner of the Abu Dhabi T10 for its 2026 edition, under a new partnership between Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) and Miral.

Under the agreement, all six Abu Dhabi T10 franchises will be based on Yas Island during the tournament, while a number of events linked to the competition will also be held across the destination.

The partnership will include the tournament’s Trophy Launch, Opening Party and Closing Party, with Yas Island’s attractions and venues forming part of the wider Abu Dhabi T10 experience for players, teams, partners and fans.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yas Island as the Official Experiences Partner of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10,” said Matthew Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub and Abu Dhabi T10.

“The island is an unbelievable destination which will provide an exceptional setting for our teams, our players and for many of the tournament experiences.”

Leon Marsh, Miral’s director of events, said the partnership reflected a shared aim of creating experiences for “fans, teams and families alike”.

“Yas Island is the ideal setting for the key moments and flagship events taking place during this year’s Abu Dhabi T10,” he said.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Draft, held at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, saw 108 players selected by six franchises: Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, Royal Desert Champions, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Yas Lions.

The tournament will take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium from 7 to 20 November, bringing together international players for the 10-over competition.

The partnership is also intended to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination combining international sport, leisure and entertainment, with Yas Island providing the base for the teams throughout the tournament.

Announcements

Dubai-born HOP Events targets 25 cities in global expansion

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

Staff Reporter

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A Dubai-founded events company is planning to expand into 25 cities worldwide over the next two years, as it looks to build an international business around music and culture.

HOP Events, founded by Dubai-based entrepreneur Kalpesh Kinariwala, said it aims to stage more than 250 events a year across 75 venues and arenas, reaching more than one million people annually.

Its planned expansion includes London, New York, Doha and Singapore, alongside its existing base in Dubai.

The company has organised concerts featuring artists including A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Lucky Ali, Nancy Ajram, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and sitarist Rishab Sharma.

HOP now plans to broaden its programme beyond large-scale concerts, with storytelling, art and other cultural events forming part of its international expansion.

“Our goal has never been to build an events company,” Kinariwala said. “We’re building a platform where culture becomes a catalyst for connection.”

The plans were outlined after a recent Dubai event featuring storyteller Laksh Maheshwari.

HOP is the cultural arm of PANTHEON ACR, a Dubai-based venture founded by Kinariwala with interests spanning art, culture and real estate.

Kinariwala said Dubai’s position as a city with a large international population provided the starting point for HOP’s expansion.

The company said its programme over the next 24 months would feature both established international performers and emerging creative talent, alongside storytelling and other cultural experiences.

“The moments people carry with them for years are rarely the biggest,” Kinariwala said. “They are the moments that make us feel connected, inspired, understood or part of something larger than ourselves.”

Announcements

New-look Abu Dhabi T10 raises the stakes with star-studded 2026 draft; Naseem, Hales, Amir and Shanaka among top picks

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

Sudhashree Dash

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The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Player Draft saw a host of international stars find new homes ahead of the upcoming season, with Naseem Shah (Royal Desert Champions), Noor Ahmad (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Amir (UAE Bulls), Alzarri Joseph (Arabian Aces), Dasun Shanaka (Yas Lions), Shadab Khan (UAE Bulls), Kusal Perera (Emirates Eagles) and Chris Jordan (Royal Desert Champions) among the headline names selected.

The Draft also saw several of the UAE’s leading players join the six franchises, underlining the growing depth of local talent in the reimagined Abu Dhabi T10. Alishan Sharafu (Arabian Aces), Aayan Afzal Khan (Royal Desert Champions), Muhammad Waseem (Royal Desert Champions), Haider Razzaq (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Bulls), Ansh Tandon (Yas Lions) and Luqman Faisal (Emirates Eagles) were among the prominent UAE selections.

Awais Ali Shah (United Tigers), Dhruv Parashar (Royal Desert Champions), Harshit Kaushik (Emirates Eagles), Wali Muhammad (UAE Bulls), Adithya Shetty (United Tigers), Haider Ali (Yas Lions) and Vriitya Arvind (Arabian Aces) were also among those selected, further strengthening the UAE presence across the six squads.

The Arabian Aces will have plenty of experience and firepower in their ranks, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings and Imran Tahir among their notable draft selections. Alzarri Joseph, Richard Gleeson, Dwayne Pretorius and Dunith Wellalage add further bowling and all-round options to a squad that already featured Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone as pre-draft signings. The Aces also secured further local and emerging talent to complement their international core.

The Emirates Eagles’ batting stocks feature Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Hassan Nawaz and Kusal Perera, while David Wiese and Chris Green offer valuable all-round options. Noor Ahmad, Rehan Ahmed and Ali Raza further strengthen the bowling department, complementing pre-draft signings Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Trent Boult.

The Royal Desert Champions assembled a formidable side led by the likes of Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Chris Jordan. Muhammad Waseem, Brandon King and Jayanth Liyanage add batting depth, while Gulbadin Naib and Keemo Paul provide all-round ability. The side already had Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt and Sherfane Rutherford on board as pre-draft signings.

The UAE Bulls have an abundance of power-hitting options through Andre Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khwaja Nafay, Max Bryan and Azam Khan, with Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah offering all-round depth. Muhammad Amir and Nuwan Thushara add to the bowling attack, while the franchise had already secured Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Romario Shepherd before the Draft. Scotland’s Bradley Currie also joins the squad.

The United Tigers have established international experience with Azmatullah Omarzai, Odean Smith and Mahedi Hasan offering all-round options, while Abbas Afridi and Sufyan Moqim strengthen the bowling resources. The Tigers’ pre-draft haul comprised the Pakistani trio of Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf.

The Yas Lions have plenty of experience with James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Tom Moores and Akeal Hosein among their notable selections. Eshan Malinga and Obed McCoy build their bowling strength, while the Lions had already secured Jason Holder, David Willey and Andries Gous before the Draft. Netherlands’ Aryan Dutt also joins the squad as their Associate Member selection.

Arabian Aces: Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Arfan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Richard Gleeson, Sam Billings, Paul Walter, Alzarri Joseph, Imran Tahir, Salman Irshad, Quentin Sampson, Dwaine Pretorius, Vriitya Arvind, Ibrahim Masood, Amshi De Silva, Dunith Wellalage

Emirates Eagles: Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal, David Wiese, Noor Ahmad, Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Akif Javed, Hassan Nawaz, Rehan Ahmed, Ali Raza, Chris Green, Harshit Kaushik, Hilal Afghan, Toby Albert, Kusal Perera

Royal Desert Champions: Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Luke Wood, Gulbadin Naib, Brandon King, Janith Liyanage, Keemo Paul, Dhruv Parashar, Raizal Nadir, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, Chris Jordan

UAE Bulls: Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Romario Shepherd, Muhammad Rohid, Tahir Zaman, Aneurin Donald, Muhammad Amir, Andre Fletcher, Khwaja Nafay, Nuwan Thushara, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Max Bryant, Azam Khan, Wali Muhammad, Uddish Suri, Bradley Currie, Shadab Khan

United Tigers: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Zeeshan Naseer, Awais Ali Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sufyan Moqim, Abbas Afridi, Odean Smith, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Noor ul Rahman, Shamim Hossain, Adithya Shetty, Noor Ullah Ayubi, Paul van Meekeren, Yasin Patel

Yas Lions: Jason Holder, David Willey, Andries Gous, Ajay Kumar, Ansh Tandon, James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Eshan Malinga, Karim Janat, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tom Moores, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Obed McCoy, Kamil Pooran, Haider Ali, Masood Gurbaz, Aryan Dutt, Akeal Hosein