The new system shifts passport, visa, attestation, and consular services to AlHind-operated application centres across all seven emirates.
Passport, visa, attestation, and other consular services for Indian nationals in the UAE will now be handled through Al Hind-operated application centres across all seven emirates, replacing in-person services at Indian diplomatic missions.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced that passport, visa, consular, and attestation services in the UAE will be outsourced to Al Hind Tours & Travels from July 22, 2026.
Under the new system, services will be delivered through 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) located across the UAE. Applicants will no longer be able to submit these requests directly at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Services Shift to 16 Application Centres
The transition marks a significant change in how Indian citizens access consular services in the UAE.
Instead of visiting diplomatic missions, applicants will now complete most passport renewals, visa applications, attestation requests, and other consular services through Al Hind’s network of ICACs spread across all seven emirates.
The embassy said the move is intended to streamline service delivery and improve accessibility for the large Indian community living in the UAE.
How to Book an Appointment
Appointments can be booked online through the official consular services portal.
New appointment slots are released twice daily at 9:00 am and 9:00 pmm.
All ICACs will operate between 8:00 amam and 6:00 pm, with applicants permitted to enter the centre only 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment.
Walk-In Services Available for Select Applicants
While most services require appointments, several categories will continue to receive walk-in access on a first-come, first-served basis.
These include:
- Tatkal passport applications
- Newborn passport services
- Emergency Certificates (EC)
- Senior citizens aged 60 years and above
Service Charge Set at Dh19
Al Hind will charge a Dh19 service fee, inclusive of VAT, in addition to the standard Government of India fees.
According to the embassy, the charge covers several ancillary services, including:
- Form filling
- Photograph services
- Document typing
- Domestic courier delivery
- Printing and photocopying
Government fees for each passport, visa, or attestation service remain separate.
Why the Change Happened
The appointment of Al Hind follows a lengthy procurement and legal process.
In April 2026, the Embassy of India awarded the UAE consular outsourcing contract to Al Hind Tours & Travels after BLS International, the previous service provider, was barred by India’s Ministry of External Affairs from bidding for new Indian mission contracts for two years.
The ministry cited multiple allegations, including pending court cases and complaints from applicants.
Although Al Hind established 16 offices across the UAE, implementation was delayed after unsuccessful bidders challenged the tender process before Indian courts.
Temporary Arrangements During the Delay
While the legal dispute continued, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai temporarily resumed handling passport and consular services directly through an appointment-only system.
That arrangement led to significant appointment shortages, with many residents reporting delays in renewing passports and obtaining essential documentation, particularly ahead of the summer travel season.
Shortly before the latest announcement, the Supreme Court of India permitted Indian missions in the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, and Canberra to temporarily engage previously selected service providers, allowing Al Hind to begin operations.
Permanent or Interim?
The embassy’s latest notification confirms that Al Hind has begun providing services from July 22.
However, it does not clarify whether the arrangement is temporary or represents the permanent outsourcing model while legal proceedings related to the tender continue.
For now, Indian nationals in the UAE seeking passport, visa, attestation, or other consular services will need to use the newly established Al Hind-operated Indian Consular Application Centres.
Source: Khaleej Times
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