Dubai puts AI-powered biometric travel back in focus
Photo: Emirates
Dubai is highlighting its AI-powered biometric border systems, including a document-free corridor that has reduced average passenger processing time to just a few seconds.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) recently showcased its smart travel ecosystem, which uses artificial intelligence and digital technologies to strengthen border security while accelerating passenger processing.
A key part of the ecosystem is the Red Carpet biometric corridor at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3. The system allows travelers to complete passport control procedures without presenting physical travel documents, using biometric identification as passengers move through the designated corridor.
According to figures attributed to GDRFA Dubai for the first half of 2026, 9.4 million travelers used Dubai’s automated border-processing systems. Most passengers were processed through the established Smart Gate network, while nearly 444k travelers, or about 4.6%, used the newer Red Carpet document-free corridor. Average processing time through the Red Carpet fell from 12.5 seconds to 3.4 seconds.
Red Carpet in numbers
439,321 travelers processed in H1 2026
3.4 seconds average processing time
Down from 12.5 seconds
Up to 10 travelers processed simultaneously
The system can process multiple passengers simultaneously, with up to ten travelers able to move through the corridor together. Artificial intelligence and biometric matching are used to identify passengers and complete border-control procedures without the conventional sequence of passport presentation and individual inspection.
The Red Carpet forms part of Dubai’s broader deployment of biometric and automated passenger processing technologies alongside its established Smart Gate infrastructure.
