The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has launched “UAE Fast Track,” a mobile application that allows travelers to complete most immigration formalities before even departing or arriving by air, land, or sea.
After downloading the app, users create a single profile, scan the identity page of their passport, take a selfie, and capture their fingerprints using their phone’s camera. They then select their point of entry and expected arrival date.
Upon arrival, registered travelers bypass manual counters and proceed directly to the Smart Gates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, where biometric verification takes only seconds. According to the ICP, the average arrival process now takes less than 90 seconds, compared to 8 to 10 minutes previously—a critical efficiency gain as annual passenger numbers approach 140 million.
Travelers who still require an entry permit before enrolling in Fast Track can simplify the process through the VisaHQ platform, which handles visa applications online, offers real-time tracking, and provides customer support to ensure documents are ready upon arrival at the Smart Gates.
The initiative forms part of a broader digital roadmap that includes AI-driven risk assessment, facial recognition corridors, and fully digital residence visas. Airlines and ground service providers have welcomed the move, noting that shorter queues reduce missed connections and improve punctuality.
For businesses, the ability to register project teams in bulk opens the door to international mobility as seamless as that of residents. For visitors, the benefits are immediate: less waiting, fewer documents, and a reduced risk of administrative errors.
For authorities, Fast Track creates a new data layer, including advance biometric information, strengthening security without increasing staffing levels. The ICP says the service is free and optional for now, but suggests that pre-registration could become mandatory during peak periods such as Eid.
