With the summer travel season at its peak, hundreds of Indian expatriates are lining up in the UAE for passport renewal and other consular services after normal operations were disrupted due to change in service providers.From July 1, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai are directly handling limited consular services as the legal dispute delays the handing over to the new outsourcing agency.
Why are Indian missions handling passport services?
The disruption has been caused by the expiration of contracts with previous outsourcing agencies and the delayed transition to the new service provider, Alhind Tours & Travels LLC.Although Alhind won the contract after submitting the lowest financial bid in the tender process, two unsuccessful bidders challenged the award in the Delhi High Court, alleging that they were wrongly excluded during the technical evaluation stage. The ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily halted the acquisition of Alhind.Till the issue is resolved, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and CGI in Dubai are directly providing essential consular services.
What services are currently available?
Missions are currently offering:
- Passport Services
- Visa Services
- Witness
- Miscellaneous Consular Services
Timings and Entry Rules
- Consular services are available from 9 am to 12.30 pm Monday to Saturday.
- Appointments are not being accepted. All applicants must come as walk-in and will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
- To control crowd, only applicants are allowed inside the premises. Parents can also accompany minor applicants.
cash payment only
Applicants are advised to carry cash, preferably the exact amount, as card payments and bank transfers are not being accepted and change may not always be available.
Long queues but support to applicants
Huge crowds have been reported since the new system was implemented, with more than 1,400 people visiting the CGI in Dubai on Friday alone.To manage the crowd, the Consulate has introduced token system, waiting tents and deployed more than 100 staff members. Free tea and snacks are being provided to those waiting, while mothers with infants have been given separate breastfeeding facilities.
Special Verification Camp
The Indian Mission has also announced special verification services at:
- Indian Association Sharjah – 4th and 5th July, 9 am to 2 pm
- Indian Social Club, Fujairah – 5 July, 10am to 2pm
- Applicants have been asked to bring all the necessary documents.
How to Contact Consulate General of India in Dubai
Applicants can access CGI through:Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 India)WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in
When will Alhind take over?
Although no date has been announced, Alhind said it has completed operational preparations and has set up 16 Indian Consular Application Centers (ICACs) across all seven emirates. The company said the change will begin once the legal proceedings are concluded and applicants are advised to keep an eye on official embassy announcements for updates.
Where are the new ICAC centres?
- The new centers have been set up at:
- al danah
- Al Reem
- Musaffah
- al ain
- ghayati
- bur dubai
- Madinat Zaid
- Dubai Investment Park (DIP)
- Al Majaz
- Rolla
- ajman
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Khorfakkan
- Kalba
- Ras Al Khaimah
The Government of India revised passport service fees across the UAE with effect from July 1, the first fee increase since 2012, as part of a broader effort to standardize passport fees across Indian missions across the world.The revised fee structure applies to the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, CGI in Dubai and all ICACs in the UAE.