Biometric data activation centres start operations at Hamad International Airport

It was not long ago that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) made E-Gates at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) free of charge for passengers arriving and exiting the country.

And now, new biometric data activation centres, which is expected to ease the usage of E-Gates for passengers, have become operational at the HIA.

Expatriates and their children aged over 18, who hold Qatar’s residence permit (RP), can avail of the E-gate services free of charge, reported Gulf Times.

The activation centres will have five self-service machines at both the departure and arrival lounges to help E-gate users who have not activated their biometric data.

The stations will help passengers update their biometric data efficiently, in less than a minute. Most residents in Qatar have already been registered in the ministry's database with either their eye-scan or fingerprint. It will be used while using E-Gates.

E-gates help passengers bypass the ‘immigration check/passport control’ section.

An activation office will work round the clock, with a technician on hand to help passengers who may encounter difficulties while updating data.

In the next phase, the Ministry plans will increase the number of E-gates to 35 at both the lounges.

After check-in, passengers can complete their travel procedures through the E-gates and go to the boarding gate, without approaching any staff at the immigration section.

It effectively means the end of long queues at the immigration counter.