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28 March 2024

UAE immigration alert: Your visa at Dubai airport is with this robot

A total of 13 robots will be deployed at Dubai International Airport terminal 1 and 3, Al Maktoum Airport and the immigration office in Dubai (Supplied)

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Visitors to the UAE may soon be met with a robot taking care of their visa needs at Dubai airports.

Although it doesn’t include all visas, transit visitors and those who enjoy a visa-on-arrival provision will have the chance to jump the queue as this piece of machinery will handle their paperwork.

“It is real simple: you tab transit visa, enter your details, pay, and an email and SMS confirming the transaction are now sent to you,” an official of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) demonstrated at the ongoing Gitex Technology Week, where the robot is being displayed.



The SMS or email should then be demonstrated at the counter, where a border official will stamp the visa in the passport.

If the visitor is unable to access one of these messages, the visa request can also be printed.

A total of 13 robots will be deployed in Dubai International Airport terminal 1 and 3, Al Maktoum Airport and the immigration office in Dubai.



The robot can also deal with visa renewal requests: residents should simply swipe their emirates IDs and follow instructions.

Payment can be made with credit or debit card and cash.

Transit visas represent the largest share of visas handled at Dubai airports and the GDRFA is keen to explore various channels to facilitate visa provision and renewal, the authority explained.