Difference between Smart Gates and eGates?
Jul 8, 2019 | 4:29 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 604
Again, I haven't done this, so I cannot vouch for it. The article is also several years old.
Jul 8, 2019 | 6:31 am
#17
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 19,797
I haven't done this, but I read in the comment section of an article about SmartGates on onemileatatime.com that you can sign up at the SmartGates. The commenter said to go to SmartGates and scan your passport as if you are already signed up. It will of course not work. You will be directed to an agent nearby who will sign you up. This saves waiting in line at regular immigration.
Again, I haven't done this, so I cannot vouch for it. The article is also several years old.
Again, I haven't done this, so I cannot vouch for it. The article is also several years old.
Jul 8, 2019 | 7:01 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Queretaro
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 5,228
I'm arriving at T3, and to avoid any possible hassle, I'll just proceed to the regular immigration que as you previously indicated and process from there.
Jul 8, 2019 | 8:12 am
#19
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,835
Back in March I entered Dubai for an STPC. Went through normal immigration and asked the immigration guy if I could register for smart gate at the same time. He nodded and put a sticker on my passport, did not appear to do anything else. Some 8 hours later I tried to go through the smart gate when leaving the country. It did not recognise my passport and I was directed to an immigration officer who quickly processed and stamped my passport. Two possibilities: I was never registered on arrival or the registration takes some time to propagate through the system and my short stay was not sufficient to do this.
Any similar experiences?
Any similar experiences?
Jul 8, 2019 | 8:53 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 845
Back in March I entered Dubai for an STPC. Went through normal immigration and asked the immigration guy if I could register for smart gate at the same time. He nodded and put a sticker on my passport, did not appear to do anything else. Some 8 hours later I tried to go through the smart gate when leaving the country. It did not recognise my passport and I was directed to an immigration officer who quickly processed and stamped my passport. Two possibilities: I was never registered on arrival or the registration takes some time to propagate through the system and my short stay was not sufficient to do this.
Any similar experiences?
Any similar experiences?
Jul 8, 2019 | 8:59 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA PP
Posts: 1,433
Is the sticker a new thing? I though I registered back in 2015 but do not believe i got a sticker and have not entered Dubai since so I cant tell if I am registered. Is there a way to check other than attempting to use the smart gate? Im flying in Sat evening and leaving a few hours later; if I ask to be registered on arrival, will I be able to use the smart tunnel on exit or does it take a while for the system to add you?
Jul 8, 2019 | 9:39 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,791
Back in March I entered Dubai for an STPC. Went through normal immigration and asked the immigration guy if I could register for smart gate at the same time. He nodded and put a sticker on my passport, did not appear to do anything else. Some 8 hours later I tried to go through the smart gate when leaving the country. It did not recognise my passport and I was directed to an immigration officer who quickly processed and stamped my passport. Two possibilities: I was never registered on arrival or the registration takes some time to propagate through the system and my short stay was not sufficient to do this.
Any similar experiences?
Any similar experiences?
Jul 8, 2019 | 12:14 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: AKL
Posts: 453
The only time Smart Gate hasn't worked for me was at DWC, but that's largely irrelevant now that the runway maintenance at DXB is complete.
Jul 11, 2019 | 5:12 am
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 345
You shouldnt have any issues using the automated gates in Dubai. At any rate, there is an immigration official who sits just behind the gates, and if there are any issues you get waved through and they will stamp your passport. The US is one of the countries eligible to use the gates.
https://gulfbusiness.com/10-7-millio...airports-year/
Just to update. I was not able to use the automated gates at DXB. I talked with a couple of the officials there who told me that the Smart Gate system I was signed up for with my US Passport only works at AUH and Sharjah. Indeed when I flew out of AUH a few days later my passport worked fine at the automated gates.
Sep 15, 2019 | 8:23 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA PP
Posts: 1,433
Is the sticker a new thing? I though I registered back in 2015 but do not believe i got a sticker and have not entered Dubai since so I cant tell if I am registered. Is there a way to check other than attempting to use the smart gate? Im flying in Sat evening and leaving a few hours later; if I ask to be registered on arrival, will I be able to use the smart tunnel on exit or does it take a while for the system to add you?
Sep 15, 2019 | 7:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 604
I registered for Smart Gates last week on a short layover. I was processed through entry immigration as I was signed up. I immediately returned airside as I had a flight to catch so I used Smart Gates. It worked, 15 minutes or so after I was registered.
Sep 29, 2019 | 11:55 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,043
I have previously read that is correct, but the post just 4 above yours (!) indicates otherwise. Maybe depends on passport?
Sep 30, 2019 | 4:04 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 591
This is how I understood it used to work, it may have changed