As the UAE accelerates its push toward a fully digital economy, a new initiative is reshaping how tourists access services from the moment they arrive, combining identity verification with instant banking capabilities.

Tourist Identity provides visitors with a verified digital ID upon entry, powered by advanced biometrics and facial recognition technology developed by ICP. As part of the UAEKYC framework, the system enables secure, paperless identity verification without the need for physical documents.

By integrating with ADCB’s mobile app, travelers can complete onboarding in minutes and gain immediate access to essential banking services, including digital debit cards. This seamless setup removes traditional barriers and enables visitors to participate in the UAE’s financial ecosystem immediately.

The initiative aligns closely with national leadership directives to build a digital payments society, reducing reliance on cash while strengthening security and efficiency. It also reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global financial hub and supports ambitious tourism targets for 2026 amid continued post-pandemic recovery.

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the CBUAE, said, “The successful launch of the Tourist Identity initiative reflects the UAE’s strong commitment to developing an advanced and secure digital financial ecosystem. By enabling instant digital onboarding and connecting visitors to the UAE’s national payment ecosystem, including the national payment scheme ‘Jaywan’ and the instant payment platform ‘Aani,’ the initiative enhances ease of doing business and delivers a seamless and secure banking experience for visitors from the moment they arrive in the UAE.”

Major General Suhail Juma Al Khaili, Acting Director-General of Citizenship at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, highlighted the broader impact of the system. He said, “The Virtual Tourist Identity system, introduced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, represents a proactive and innovative initiative aimed at enabling various sectors across the UAE to deliver services to visitors with ease and security, without the need to present or exchange traditional documents.”

He added, “This is achieved through the adoption of advanced biometric identification technologies, supported by artificial intelligence algorithms, within the Authority’s newly developed UAEKYC biometric identification framework.”

Al Khaili further noted, “This system is one of the leading initiatives at the regional level, enhancing the overall visitor experience by enabling seamless and efficient access to a wide range of services across the country.”

He concluded, “It also allows multiple sectors to leverage the platform, delivering a distinctive and high-quality experience for both visitors and residents, in line with the UAE’s vision to strengthen its leadership in digital transformation and quality of life.”

Ala’a Eraiqat, Group Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, emphasized the initiative’s strategic importance, saying, “This initiative marks an important milestone in the continued evolution of the UAE’s financial sector, aligning banking innovation with the broader ambitions of the nation’s tourism economy.”

He added, “ADCB’s participation at this stage reflects our focus on shaping future-ready financial models that enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness and appeal.”

Eraiqat concluded, “By contributing our advanced digital capabilities and customer experience leadership, we are supporting a financial environment that is intuitive, resilient, and reflective of the UAE’s position as a world-class destination and global hub for financial innovation.”