UK Immigration Services team visits DNRD's advanced immigration facilities 

As part of a mutual cooperation and information exchange programme between the UAE and the immigration bureaus of other countries, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) recently welcomed high-level representatives from the UK Home Office.

The representatives, namely Andy Holden, the Assistant Director for border control, modernization programme, UK Immigration Services, Home Office, and Robin Barnett, Head of UK visas, Home Office visited Dubai's advanced immigration and passport control facilities at Dubai airport. The team was welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Lootah, Head of the IT Section at DNRD.

The representatives commended DNRD's state of the art electronic systems and procedures for issuing visas including the card-operated electronic passport control system installed at the Dubai International Airport, eGate, that completes entry and exit formalities within a few seconds. Dubai Airport is the first airport in the Middle East and the third in the world to install such an advanced passenger clearance system.

Through eGate, passengers' data is screened electronically with the help of a smart card, leading to easier and faster movement of traffic. Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Lootah took the officials on a tour of the facilities put in place at the Dubai International Airport. 

"DNRD was proud to receive the UK Home Department team and show them the latest immigration facilities installed at Dubai airport that have replaced manual procedures by offering services online. Through this mutual exchange of information on the latest technological developments in immigration facilities, the UAE and other visiting countries will be better equipped to offer passengers value-added immigration facilities", stated Colonel Saeed bin Belailah, Director of DNRD.

"Our advanced electronic immigration systems have made a mark all over  the world and we are honoured that an international team from the UK has commended us on this. We are confident that this visit will lead to enhanced immigration facilities for passengers travelling between the UAE and UK", he added.

"By providing advanced IT solutions for issuing visas and for conducting  immigration procedures, Dubai airport is now considered one of the premier and fastest growing airports in the world", concluded Colonel Belailah.

The officials from the UK Home Department also took their fingerprints at the eGate registration office to obtain the e-card that will entitle them to get fast-track access to Dubai International Airport.