United Arab Emirates: Fast-tracked Vehicle Border Crossing System Established

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a digital verification system – called the ‘Smart Land Borders Crossing’ system – which scans driver and passenger biometrics, vehicle license plates, and travel documentation, allowing for a fast-tracked immigration process at certain land borders. Individuals with valid travel documentation (including Emirates identity card or passport), and whose name has been registered with the vehicle, will be permitted to pass through the border without stepping out of the vehicle. The system can currently only verify vehicles with two or fewer occupants, but is expected to gradually be updated until it can verify the travel details of every vehicle occupant. The system currently operates only at the Al Ghuweifat border between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but is expected to expand to border crossings with Oman. This system is expected to expedite the cross-border movement of individuals between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and later also Oman. Individuals ineligible to use the fast-track lane (for instance, because they are in a vehicle that their name is not registered with), will need to rely upon the standard immigration process, requiring them to leave their vehicle and physically provide necessary documentation (including identity and vehicle information) at the border posts.