Who is not allowed to use the Smart Gates at Dubai airport?
Dubai Airports lists four groups who should not use the Smart Gates: guests under 15 years old or under 1.2 metres tall, families with children, People of Determination, and guests with large strollers. Anyone in those groups uses a manual counter instead. The gates are for registered adults, and this page lists who is excluded so a family can plan before reaching immigration.
Who is excluded, group by group
| Group Dubai Airports lists | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Guests under 15, or under 1.2 metres | Use a manual counter |
| Families with children | Go to a counter together |
| People of Determination | Use a manual counter |
| Guests with large strollers | Use a manual counter |
The airport’s page does not explain how it treats an older teenager travelling with parents, because families with children appear on the excluded list. If you are in that position, ask an officer at the entrance to the hall rather than assuming.
Who can use the gates
| Eligible group | Notes |
|---|---|
| UAE and GCC nationals | Registered, biometric passport or ID |
| UAE residents | Registered |
| Visa-on-arrival guests | Biometric passport and registered |
| Schengen guests and pre-issued visa holders | Listed by GDRFA Dubai in its FAQ |
Registration is required. Recent arrivals through Dubai International Airport (DXB) are likely already registered from their passport control check. GDRFA Dubai states there are no additional fees for the gates, and Dubai Airports lists them at DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC).
Example Scenario: A Family of Four
The family here is made up. Two registered resident parents land at DXB with children aged 12 and 7. Both children are under 15, so the family goes to a manual counter together. If the parents had travelled alone, they could use the gates after checking their registration. At busy times an officer may clear families on the floor with a handheld device, which you cannot request. Our Click and Travel guide explains what to expect.
How eligible adults use the gates
- Confirm you are registered, using the Smart Gates pre-check if you are unsure.
- Look at the green light at the gate. No document scan is needed.
- Remove anything covering your face, such as a mask, glasses or a hat.
- Keep your passport and boarding pass ready in case the gate asks for them.
Where to go next
- Smart Gates, Red Carpet and Click and Travel: who can use each
- Not eligible for Smart Gates? What to do instead
- How to use the Smart Gates eligibility pre-check
Related guides
- Dubai Airport Smart Gates, Red Carpet and Click and Travel: Who Can Use Each
- Red Carpet Smart Tunnel at DXB: Enrolment, Eligibility and the 3.4-Second Check
- Not Eligible for Smart Gates at DXB? What to Do Instead
- Dubai Job Exploration Visa: Fees, Documents and How to Apply
- UAE Transit Visa: 48 or 96 Hours, Fees and How to Apply
