UAE Smart Gate Q's
Nov 27, 2019 | 11:48 pm
#76
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,849
I think I'm going to answer my own question. Since smart gates are fully electronic, and all passports have a chip in them. I believe every country now has the capability of pulling up all the information on every country the passport holder has entered and departed. So, I don't think a manual visa entry stamp is even necessary any longer. That's just my conclusion.
Another example is the Schengen area, where all that info is (supposedly) shared. When you enter Germany (from outside the Schengen area), they will be able to see that you entered Italy (also from outside the Schengen area) 2 years ago. For border crossings within Schengen, no passport is shown (and therefore those movements are not recorded).
Jul 9, 2025 | 8:19 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), IHG Plat (CC), UA (*G) Gold, AA Plat (OWS)
Posts: 10,247
An interesting data point - Ive had no issues with eGates / SmartGates before as a US passport non-resident - however, this last time last month, I entered AUH via the eGates just fine but was denied upon exit at DXB and had to go the manual counter (there was no overstay, and the counter process had no questions). I wonder if the mixed entry and exit points were the cause?
