There isn't. I've never seen one.

Eitherway, the registration process is not quicker than the Q ..... actually it might be if you arrive at midnight !

If you go upstairs, there is an office at departures (at least there was 2 years ago)

My Skywards gold card no longer working
The last 2 entries into the UAE (dubai and AD) my card has not worked.

Its valid till Dec 2012 so not sure what the issue is. has any non resident had any problems the last 6 weeks with egate working?

Not sure cuz I'm a resident but I do have friends that are not w gold cards. When the card doesn't work it's no big deal as there is always an immigration officer on hand at the E gates that can just stamp you in. You still don't need to wait in line & if you ask he can look at your card in the computer & tell you why it's not working

Odd you should say that. Because it was this post written actually by you that I was looking to get confirmation on:

Whatever, I'll figure it out when I arrive tonight.

That was meant for T1

Did it work out?

Quite a story, but in the end it worked out. After arrival in T3 I went up to departure level and eventually found the registration desk. THe entire team had disappeared for dinner. 10 minutes they slouched back and after another 5 minutes it was my turn. First the gentleman spent full 5 minutes looking at every page of my passport and then said he wouldn't register me as my passport wouldn't have an entry stamp. I showed him that it had. Then he spent anoter full 5 minutes searching me in the immigration records. Didn't find me. Turned to his colleagues, who searched as well until he realized that he had my first and family names mixed up. Finally found me. Back to the first guy. Did the entire procedure of putting my thumbs. Waited. Nothing happened. He said that the machine was broken and tried again. Thumbs, phone number, etc. Again, after a long wait, he declared that his system was broken and that I should try again next morning.

This morning I went to the same counter in departure hall, wanted to do it before immigration so I could try if it worked at departure. Same guy. "Maybe it works today". I waited for the gentleman in front of me to finish, then approached the counter. But behind me about 15 people exclaimed that they were waiting as well. So I gave up, went over to the F/C Terminal, went through immigration with my passport, went to the registration office, and 3 minutes later it was done.

My obsession to have it done for a usage on this trip has cost me easily 30-40 minutes of wasted time. I only have myself to blame.

So there aren't any before immigration on arrivals then. The F/C Terminal desk is the best as its always quite (sometimes even the lights are off). My guess most F/C customers either don't do it due to small Qs or already have it so nobody rushes to register especially after you have already cleared immigration !

Another experience to add to the list.

I found this easy (I'd previously held a regular e-gate card issued before arrivals in T1, and renewed in the office upstairs at T1, but these had expired). Once through arrivals in T3 I headed upstairs to the economy departures area (the lifts are the quickest way) and went to the Residency/Visa Desk - I'm not sure what the right term is, but a small office with desk right in the middle of the concourse before entering any of the checkin areas. It's near the duty free shop.

Go to the left hand counter and they will help you, they can issue both regular e-gate cards and put your details onto an Skywards Gold card. Took only a few minutes.

As a general comment I've noticed there are some snide remarks about service from Emiratis on immigration counters etc. In my experience on many, many trips through the UAE a smile goes a long way, and getting my e-gate card is no different. Lighten up folks!

FYI

Anyone that lives in the UAE can go to DNATA on SZR and pay 200 dizzles for an e-gate card.

The last thing I want to do in DXB airport is look for the e-gate office.

Phil

Any updates as I can see the last message posted was 5 months ago?

I'll register my gold card on the 28th flying from DEL back to DXB. I'll keep you posted.

Is there an E Gate office in the First/Business class check in area in Terminal 3 before going through immigration or do you have to go throughh Immigration and into the Terminal to find it?

There is one but it is right after immigration !!