How to apply and obtain UAE E-gate/Smart gate card?

What is an E-gate/Smart gate card?

It’s easy to get E-gate/Smart gate card. Passengers and citizens of the United Arab Emirates can avoid long passport waits at airports by presenting their e-gate card and fingerprint to a special e-gate reader or scanning equipment at immigration and passport control in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and possibly Sharjah.

Using the smart gate instead of the usual passport control counters and e-gates is fast and convenient. Passengers are permitted to go through customs and immigration on their own.

Benefits of having a Smart gate card?

• There is no learning curve when it comes to using smart gates. On the scanner, a passport that is open to the photo page is placed. The passenger then enters the gate and undergoes an eye screening before boarding the plane. After that, the gate will be opened, allowing the passenger to pass.
• The smart gates process a passenger’s credentials seven seconds faster than the e-gates. Passport control can be completed in a matter of minutes using these services.
• A smart gate is a tried-and-true way to tighten entry restrictions if your business sees a lot of foot traffic.

Who can use the Smart gate?

People from the following nations can use smart gates: UAE residents, GCC nationals, and passport holders.

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Brunei Darussalaam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, USA.

Procedure to apply/register for E-gate card

You can activate or apply for an E-gate card in the below center:

• Locals can sign up at Dnata on Sheikh Zayed Road, Terminal 3 arrivals, and Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, all of which are in the airport. Both airport terminals are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Documents required (E-gate/Smart gate card)

For  citizens:

• Original passport (at least  6 months Validity) and with an Emirates (ID).
• Photograph

For GCC nationals:

• Identity card if he/she was a resident of the State.
• Original passport (at least  6 months Validity)

For holder of entry permit on arrival:

• Original passport (at least  6 months validity).
• Personal Photograph

For activation of Skyward Card on e-Gate

• Original passport (at least  6 months validity).
• Personal Photograph
• (Skyward cards are issued by Emirates Airlines, and are free of charge.)

What is the cost?

Total Fee AED 300.00 which includes:

• Card issuance fee: AED (200)
• Application fee AED (100)

What is the validity?

• It’s valid for 2 years.

What is the processing time?

• The new E-gate card takes a processing time of just 12-14 seconds.

What is the procedure for registering the Smart gate Card?

• After completing the eye scan, first-time users must register with an immigration officer.

How to activate Emirates ID into an e-gate card?

• Use the smart e-gate facility at the airport (terminal 3) and your Emirates ID card to bypass the huge lines for passport control.
• To make your Emirates ID card an e-gate card, visit one of the Service Addition Centers with your Emirates ID card, passport (valid for at least six months), and money (300 dirhams should be enough – in theory, it costs about 150 dirhams). Below are the centers:
• All UAE Naturalization and Residence departments
• Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI)
• DNATA Center Sheikh Zayed Road
• DNATA Center Deira
• Dubai Media City Passport Center
• DNATA Center Abu Hail (Abu Heil)
• Jebel Ali Free Zone Passport Center

Can you use the Emirates Skywards membership card as a Dubai e-gate card?

• Moreover, Your passport (valid for at least six months), a passport photo, and the Skywards e-gate card, or the standard one you have previously been granted, are all that is needed to activate your Skywards e-gate card (should be on your residence or entry visa stamped in your passport).
• e-gate offices in these locations: DNATA Holiday Travel Center on Sheikh Zayed Road (tel +971-4-3166966), Dubai Airport e-gate office near the food court in Terminal 1 (tel +971-4-2061597), Dubai Airport e-gate office in the Arrivals Immigration Hall (Terminal 1), Jebel Ali Port Passport Office (tel +971-4-8818777), Dubai Municipality (tel +971-4-2064055).
• You can use this card at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports but can not use it at Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, or Sharjah.
• For Gold members, activation of the e-gate card is free, whereas, for Silver members, the activation fee is 5,000 Skywards Miles (as of March 2012). Additional 10 dhs per level for administration.
• If you have a silver or gold Skywards frequent flyer card or higher, you can use it as an e-gate card.

Share this page!