GDRFA detects 902 discrepancies in 20,000 travel papers in 18 months

The Document Examination Centre of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) inspected more than 20,000 travel documents and detected 902 discrepancies in just 18 months. 

This significant achievement reflects the efficiency of the proactive security system and Dubai’s leading position in protecting the international travel system and enhancing the security of ports and borders. 

It is a testament to GDRFA’s approach of employing advanced technologies and innovative solutions to solidify Dubai’s position as one of the world’s safest, most secure and future-ready cities. 

From technical examination to a global knowledge hub 

The Document Examination Centre has transcended its traditional role of verifying technical documents to transform into a comprehensive knowledge hub that keeps pace with the latest global developments in document science. 

Having achieved international accreditation as the first specialised forensic laboratory to receive ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification, the centre has become a regional and international reference point, attracting official delegations from around the world including South Korea, the German Federal Police and embassies of the European Union and GCC countries. 

In this regard, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, has affirmed that adopting advanced digitalisation and employing innovative solutions are not merely operational choices, but rather fundamental pillars for enhancing global confidence in Dubai Airports’ travel system. 

“The centre’s achievements spearheaded by our national workforce, reflect the success of our efforts in developing an advanced system that supports border protection and achieves the highest standards of future readiness,” he said. 

Operational efficiency in numbers and proactive approach 

The centre’s technological system has demonstrated a high level of vigilance and efficiency in monitoring violations and protecting the emirate’s entry points. 

The centre conducted 20,307 travel document checks including passports and electronic and printed visas, of which 15,746 checks were performed during 2025 and 4,561 during the first half of 2026. 

The centre also managed to detect 902 discrepancies, ranging from cases of forgery and manipulation of data and digital images, of which 689 cases were detected during 2025 and 213 during the first half of 2026. 

As part of developing its digital system, the centre’s international presence has contributed to the inclusion of passport templates for more than 80 countries within the Dubai’s Document Management System, which enhances its ability to continuously update and keep pace with global developments in the field of document security. 

International partnerships and sustainability of national competencies

With a methodology based on knowledge diplomacy and exchange of experiences, the centre succeeded in building a strategic partnership with the document examination laboratory of the German Federal Police at Frankfurt Airport with the aim of qualifying sworn experts and forensic analysts specialising in document examination according to best practices and international standards. 

To ensure the sustainability of this readiness, the centre’s experts conducted 122 advanced specialised training hours including 81 hours during 2025 and 41 hours during the first half of 2026, which enhanced the efficiency of national cadres and their ability to keep pace with the rapid developments in this field. 

Meanwhile, expert Aqeel Al Najjar, adviser at Document Examination Centre, said: “We work according to a proactive methodology that ensures continuous access to the latest security printing technologies and digital identity solutions worldwide, which enhances the reliability of our technical reports and consolidates their position locally and internationally.” 

The centre has strengthened its global presence as an influential partner in shaping international security policies through its active participation in a number of the most prominent global forums. 

These included Identity Week Europe in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, High Security Printing EMEA Conference for Europe, Middle East and Africa in Abu Dhabi and GITEX Global 2026 and Seamless Middle East in Dubai. 

In addition, the centre kept abreast of the latest developments in the global Edison TD, thus consolidating Dubai’s position as a leading global hub in document security and protection of international travel system.