Dubai’s e-Gate Smart Card
I first heard about this from Marzouqs blog and today a friend of mine sent me this video from YouTube. The e-gate smart card basically allows you to go through the immigration process at the Dubai airport A LOT quicker. Once I watched the YouTube video on how practical the e-Gate card can be I was instantly convinced to get one. I travel to Dubai on average 5 times a year and this could save me a lot of time. It supposedly take 10 minutes and costs KD15 to get card which makes it even more enticing.
Here is the video showing the e-Gate (skip to 2 minutes). [YouTube]
Here is some more info on the e-Gate [Link 1] [Link 2]
Picture from Airport International
Jan 20, 2008
Really worth it, I have used it twice now and it makes things a lot faster and that is what I like.
its not really that crowded in dubai airport passport control to worth doing that..not like other airports..i dont even get the need to use the pass they give first and biz class passangers..
Its always crowded when i go there. maybe you use the gcc line?
i used to have a pass .. but at that time it was finger print recognition only .. you go to this office .. they take your photo .. put it on a card .. and thats it .. they just took a photo copy of my passport .. and i was set ..
5 times a year? lol. i know someone who goes there like five times a month, and still wont get that pass!
Mark, but would you be able to issue one? isn’t it only for GCC citizens, or is it GCC residents?
I have had this card for 5 years now, I got it as free promo in Gitex. Its a life savior, I used to travel in nad out of this place 7 -8 times a monht. Kuwait MOI did issue a tender for such a device but I doubt we will see it operational any time soon.
Amjad a friend of mine with a Canadian passport was able to get one so i guess its not only for gcc countries. I think its for countries that dont require a visa to enter meaning next time i go to dubai with nat i will ditch her ass at the immigration and head for the alcohol i mean duty free.
yeah and then I will ditch your ass in Dubai until we get back to kuwait!
Thats correct only countries not needing a visa can get the card, any other nationality can not apply such as Lebanese, Jordanians, Syrian, Indians, pakistanis etc… except if you have a UAE resident permit or a free hold appartment.
Way to go Nat :P
LOOL @ Mark & Nat.
Mark, not that I want to interfere with your personal issues, but can’t you as a Canadian citizen give your wife Nat the Canadian citizenship ?
Not that easy, its a process which we’ve already started but takes time.
Sorry – This is not available to bearers of visa-waived countries. You must be a resident (with iqama) or citizen of region to qualify.
214b my friend who is canadian got the e-gate card.
I have one – makes journey much smoother. however, sometimes you have to go through machine 10 times before it works but better than queing.