Dubai Showcases Biometric Entry Services and Visa Options at ATM 2026

Source-checked update: This article brings together information checked against primary sources and independent reporting available at publication time. Full source links are listed at the end of the article.

Dubai’s immigration authority is using Arabian Travel Market 2026 to showcase several entry and travel-processing services, including biometric passport control, mobile immigration processing and selected visa options. The presentation is taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from September 14 to 17, 2026, but it does not amount to a universal change in Dubai’s entry requirements.

What Happened

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai is participating in ATM 2026, where it is presenting its Red Carpet biometric passport-control service and Click and Travel, a mobile service for immigration processing on entry and departure.

The authority is also highlighting the UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visa and a 60-day entry visa for eligible nationals residing abroad. The 60-day option is subject to nationality-specific eligibility rules and other applicable requirements.

GDRFA Dubai’s stand is scheduled to welcome visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the travel trade show. The event provides an opportunity for visitors and industry professionals to learn more about the services directly, while Dubai continues to present technology-led approaches to passenger processing.

Click and Travel is not simply a trade-show concept. It is an operational GDRFA Dubai mobile passport-control service that can be deployed during peak periods and emergencies. The service completed approximately 31,373 pilot transactions between May and August 31, 2026.

What This Means for Travelers

For most visitors, the immediate significance is informational rather than a change to the process at Dubai’s borders. The verified announcement concerns services and visa options being showcased at ATM 2026; it does not confirm a new blanket visa policy or a new entry rule applying to all travelers.

Travelers who may qualify for a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa or the 60-day visa should treat the ATM presentation as a point of information, not as confirmation of eligibility. Requirements can vary according to nationality and individual circumstances. A visa option mentioned at the event should not be assumed to apply to every passport holder or every type of visit.

The biometric and mobile-processing services may also be relevant to the airport experience, but their use depends on the applicable service and operational arrangements. Click and Travel does not replace Dubai Smart Gates or the Red Carpet service, and it may be deployed according to operational needs. Travelers should therefore avoid assuming that a particular processing channel will be available for a specific journey.

Visitors attending ATM 2026 can use GDRFA Dubai’s stand to ask about the services and visa categories being presented. The scheduled opening hours are especially useful for those planning a visit to the exhibition, although travelers should still allow time for their wider event and transport arrangements.

What Travelers Should Do Now

Before traveling to Dubai, check the latest entry requirements directly with GDRFA Dubai or another relevant UAE authority. Confirm whether your nationality, travel purpose and planned length of stay fit the visa option you are considering.

If you are interested in the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa or the 60-day entry visa, verify the current conditions before making travel arrangements. Do not rely only on a general description of the option, particularly if your eligibility depends on nationality or other requirements.

Passengers should also check directly with their airline before departure for any document or boarding requirements connected with their itinerary. Carry the travel documents required for your specific journey and allow normal time for immigration processing.

If you expect to use a biometric or mobile immigration service, confirm whether it is available for your circumstances and whether it is operating at the time of travel. Click and Travel may be used according to operational needs, so travelers should not treat it as a guaranteed replacement for existing passport-control options.

Those already in Dubai during ATM 2026 can visit the GDRFA Dubai stand between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from September 14 through September 17 to seek information about the services being showcased. For travelers unable to attend, direct confirmation from the relevant immigration authority remains the safest way to check eligibility and procedures.

What Is Confirmed

• Arabian Travel Market 2026 is scheduled at Dubai World Trade Centre from September 14 through September 17, 2026.
• GDRFA Dubai is participating in the event.
• The authority is showcasing the Red Carpet biometric passport-control service and Click and Travel mobile entry and departure processing.
• The presentation includes the UAE five-year multiple-entry tourist visa and a 60-day entry visa for eligible nationals residing abroad.
• Click and Travel is an operational service that may be deployed during peak periods and emergencies.
• GDRFA Dubai’s ATM stand is scheduled to welcome visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• The event does not confirm a universal change to Dubai’s entry requirements.

Sources

Primary sources

• Arabian Travel Market
• Issuing a multi-entry tourist visa (5 years)
• GDRFA Dubai launches “Click & Travel”

Independent reporting

• GDRFA Dubai to showcase Click and Travel, Red Carpet service at Arabian Travel Market
• Arabian Travel Market 2026: Dubai’s GDRFA Showcases Biometric Travel, Flexible Visas and ALSAADA Card Benefits
• GDRFA Dubai showcases visitor facilitation at Arabian Travel Market

Editorial note

This Travel News article was prepared by the VibrantGateways Team using publicly available information and primary sources where available. AI-assisted tools may be used during research and drafting, with publication subject to our editorial verification process.

Links identified as “Optional source” are provided for additional context only. They have not been independently verified by the VibrantGateways editorial team, and VibrantGateways is not responsible for their accuracy, completeness, availability, or subsequent changes.

Travel information can change quickly. Schedules, routes, prices, entry requirements, availability and other time-sensitive details should be confirmed with the relevant official provider or authority before making travel decisions.

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