You are all packed and at the airport and you realize you have forgotten that all- important travel document – Passport. Is it on my nightstand or did I forget to take it out of my other bag whilst changing carry-on backpack?

Those of us who have been travelling since the 70s, 80s and 90s know how passports looked then, names were not printed but handwritten, fast forward to the 2000s when machine readable passports were issued and all details minutely checked. Any tour or travel is just not possible without this booklet.

With the advent of AI and SMART cities and what not of the Digital age, passport-less travel is becoming a reality at some airports, with initiatives focused on using biometric data for identification and clearance. While full passport-free travel is not yet widespread, airports like Abu Dhabi and Changi are leading the way in implementing these technologies. 

How is it being done?

Airports are increasingly using facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other biometric data to identify and clear passengers, reducing reliance on physical passports thereby the queues. This ultimately leads to passenger satisfaction and less reliance on human error.

Smart Travel Projects

Dubai is one of the locations actively pursuing initiatives to make travel passport-free by 2025, including exploring options for ticketless and ID-free travel. 

Important Considerations

Even with these advancements, it’s crucial to ensure your passport meets the validity requirements of your destination country. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.

~ Nisha Bal