Mobile immigration: Zips disabled passengers through

Immigration formalities at Dubai airports can soon be done from the comfort of a seat in a trolley that drives you through the border while the passport control is done.

The immigration trolley was launched by the GDRF at Gitex Technology Week, and is launched to facilitate people with disabilities, elderly or pregnant women.

An immigration officer will take his place in the trolley, behind a computer screen and the tools to complete the procedure that is required for a person to officially enter the UAE.

On the other side sits the visitor, who will hand over his passport and lean back, until the formality is completed. By the time this is done, the trolley will reach the luggage belt.

Border procedures are an often dreaded part of arriving at an airport. Long waiting lines are not uncommon, and for people unable to stand for a long time this can prove to be a burden, explained immigration officials.

The service will be free of charge, but not available to everybody, they emphasised. “Not any person unable or unwilling to walk can make use of this service,” said an official at the stand.

“We are considering some options now to make sure that the service is used appropriately. We might work together with the airlines by asking them to provide us with a list of the people who need assistance when getting off the plane.

“These passengers will be picked up from the plane and dropped off behind the border control.”

The e-Gate provides another solution for people dreading long queues, and this service is available to anybody who has registered before arriving at the airport.

With details of passengers saved in the system, access is provided by a simple swipe of the passport and an eye scan, which together will take approximately 20 seconds.

The e-Gate is set to be expanded to all UAE airports before the year-end, and only one registration is required to be recognised at any airport.