CasualExpat

Hey there

I'm currently staying as a visitor in the UAE and when I went through passport control, the clerk scanned my passport, asked me to look at a camera and passed me through to the baggage area.

"That was quick!" I thought! However, when I went to get a SIM card, the attendant wouldn't give me one because there is no visa stamp on my passport. I tried to explain the process I went through but she wasn't having any of it.

Now I'm worried - did the passport control clerk make a mistake? Am I in trouble? I'm travelling alone, and I don't quite know what to do. Can I go back to arrivals and get it stamped?

Thanks guys

busybee2

u got the epassport so you should be in the system.... its a new system i would say that the shop didnt know about it... was it car4 or somewhere like that? everything here goes in the little stamp in your passport.

CasualExpat

It was 'du', the telephone chaps?

Oh that's okay then! I was getting a little anxious. I know there's an e-gate thing which you have to pay for but I didn't get the impression that's was the case. The Emirates lady actually pointed to it after I showed her my passport.

Thanks busybee2

busybee2

there is egate which you pay for and fingerprints and a card.
there is epassport if you have a new passport you register that passport and entry stamp/visa page etc look into the eye scan and thats fine.
yes du or car4 or whatever have to have visa page/stamp and of course you dont get that if you use either the e-gate (which is for residents) or epassport (new one) but certain visitors can use. well as far as i know.