Dubai Airport Launches Five-Minute International Driving Permit Service at Terminal 3, Available 24/7 for UAE Residents and Citizens

Dubai International Airport launched a five-minute International Driving Permit issuance service on September 14, available 24 hours a day at the Customer Happiness Centre in Terminal 3 Arrivals. The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs Dubai partnered with the Roads and Transport Authority, Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, and Amer to provide instant IDP processing for UAE citizens and residents holding a valid UAE driving licence. Applicants must provide Emirates ID, a valid UAE driving licence, a passport copy, and a passport-size photograph. Integrated digital systems automatically verify applicants' information and approve requests immediately. This marks the first airport-based instant IDP service in the Emirates and is designed to simplify pre-travel procedures for residents departing the country. Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General for Entry Permits and Residence Affairs at GDRFA Dubai, said the initiative reflects Dubai's commitment to delivering proactive government services where customers need them most. The service complements existing options: a three-day RTA online application for AED 197, and a same-day Automobile and Touring Club counter service for AED 170 plus VAT. The airport location allows travelers to secure the permit immediately before international departure, eliminating advance-planning requirements. Ahmed Mahboob, Executive Director of the Licensing Agency at RTA, described the service as an advanced model of cooperation between government entities and strategic partners that enables customers to complete transactions instantly at one of the emirate's busiest locations.