GDRFA Dubai to Present Click and Travel and Red Carpet Services at Arabian Travel Market
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Khaleej Times
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GDRFA Dubai to Present Click and Travel and Red Carpet Services at Arabian Travel Market

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) will participate in the Arabian Travel Market 2026, which will be held at the Dubai International Trade Centre from September 14 to 17.

As part of the event, GDRFA Dubai will demonstrate a comprehensive ecosystem of services and solutions designed to simplify mobility, expand access to the UAE, and enhance passenger experiences at every stage of the journey—from arrival at Dubai ports to the completion of the trip.

The exhibition will feature the Red Carpet service, which utilizes biometric verification technologies for fast and seamless passenger identification and passport control without the need to present documents at every stage. This service exemplifies an advanced model of smart border control, increasing operational efficiency and making travel more convenient.

Furthermore, GDRFA Dubai will showcase its innovative Click and Travel service. It allows border control officers to complete travelers' entry and exit procedures using mobile devices during peak loads and emergencies, ensuring greater operational flexibility and facilitating smooth passenger flow.

The Click and Travel service relies on biometric technologies, automated pre-screening of passenger data, and secure connection to relevant systems, helping to accelerate and improve procedure efficiency while supporting a more innovative travel experience in Dubai airports.

The stand will also feature a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, allowing travelers to visit the UAE repeatedly without needing a sponsor or host in the country, provided that approved terms, rules, and conditions are met.

Additionally, a service for issuing a 60-day residency visa for citizens of certain countries residing abroad will be announced, offering them a flexible and convenient option to visit the UAE in accordance with applicable conditions.

GDRFA Dubai's participation reflects the management's commitment to direct engagement with industry professionals, partners, and visitors at one of the world's leading events in tourism and travel. It is also an opportunity to highlight services that combine speed, flexibility, and high quality of service, thereby supporting the competitiveness of the UAE and strengthening Dubai's position as a global destination for tourism, business, and residency.

Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shankaiti, Deputy Director General for Airports at GDRFA Dubai, stated that participating in the Arabian Travel Market provides an opportunity to introduce the tourism community to the solutions developed by GDRFA Dubai to facilitate every stage of a guest's journey. He added that in collaboration with partners, they continue to develop faster and more flexible services that meet traveler needs, demonstrating Dubai's readiness to provide a seamless, safe, and integrated travel experience while supporting the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector.

During the exhibition, the Department of Events and Quality of Life will present the ALSAADA card. This card allows tourists arriving through Dubai's entry ports to benefit from a wide range of exclusive offers and discounts from an extensive network of partners in tourism, travel, dining, retail, healthcare, beauty, as well as transport services and other sectors.

Visitors will also learn how to access the ALSAADA application using their passport data and explore available offers during their stay in the emirate, adding value and enhancing their experience from arrival to departure.

Throughout the exhibition, the GDRFA Dubai stand offers visitors the opportunity to interact with specialized teams, learn about service features and usage methods, and receive answers to questions from visitors and representatives of tourism and transport companies. The stand welcomes guests daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

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UAE activates alternative trade corridors in response to Strait of Hormuz closure
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UAE activates alternative trade corridors in response to Strait of Hormuz closure

The UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Tani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, stated on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates has launched alternative logistics routes and accelerated the development of ports on the country's eastern coast to maintain trade continuity amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at the second day of the Hili Forum, Al Zeyoudi noted that geopolitical difficulties in the region in 2026 have taken on a 'more direct and more dangerous character,' threatening global supply chains. He emphasized that the UAE's long-term growth strategy remains unchanged, but the current situation has forced the country to reconsider its methods for achieving these goals.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi reported that since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the country has been working to maintain vital entry and exit trade routes. As part of this work, the UAE activated regional logistics corridors connecting the Arabian Gulf with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Furthermore, they cooperated with Oman to process cargo destined for the UAE through the ports of Sohar and Duqm, and expanded the use of land, rail, and freight services for moving goods.

In parallel, the UAE has accelerated the development of ports on the eastern coast, including Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, and Dibba, and begun commissioning new pipelines to connect the country's energy resources to global markets. The Minister stated that no other country possesses the capacity to activate so many new trade corridors with such speed and scale.

He stressed that the measures taken should not be viewed as temporary solutions, but as a permanent shift in the country's positioning, as 'no single checkpoint can be allowed to threaten our economic viability.'

As proof of its strategy's resilience, the minister cited the latest UAE trade figures. In the first half of 2026, non-oil foreign trade reached a record 1.94 trillion dirhams, which is 13.1% higher compared to the same period last year and nearly 80% higher than in the first half of 2022. Non-oil exports also reached an all-time high of 453 billion dirhams, which, according to Al Zeyoudi, reflects the competitiveness of UAE products and the strength of diversified trade routes.

Al Zeyoudi added that while short-term actions have been successful, the UAE must maintain its long-term vision. The country will continue to expand its network of trade and investment partners, investing in future industries and technologies, accelerating the energy transition, and strengthening its position as a conduit for global capital and commerce.

He also mentioned the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) program, noting that 38 deals have been concluded with key partners across six continents. These agreements, he said, open up new opportunities for UAE exporters and strengthen the country's central role in world trade.

The Minister called for international waterways to remain open and free from restrictions. He stated: 'We cannot allow individual states to dictate our trade ambitions,' insisting that international waterways must be free from 'any form of restriction or tariff.' He emphasized that no one owns the Strait of Hormuz and no country should decide who has access to it.

Al Zeyoudi concluded that the events of the last six months have tested governments and businesses, but the UAE has turned this disruption into an opportunity to strengthen its economic position, emerging from the crisis with a renewed goal and structural advantage. The country intends to continue striving to capture global trade and reinforce its role as a bridge between different continents.

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