Indian consular services in UAE: 3 major changes starting July 2026
Limited services, a new provider and updated passport fees come into effect for applicants across the Emirates.
Dubai: This month, several new changes are taking place at the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, and the Consulate General of India, Dubai.
These changes may affect the way you receive visa, passport and consular services, if you’re an Indian national residing in the UAE, or a foreign passport holder looking to travel to India.
Here’s all you need to know about the new changes, this July.
1. Limited services, starting July 2
The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, notified residents and travellers in the UAE that it will begin providing consular services in a limited manner at both the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai, starting July 2. The Embassy notes that the following arrangements are temporary, and further updates will be communicated in due course.
Here are the details, according to their formal notice:
- The limited service extends to passport, visa, attestation and miscellaneous other services provided at the two premises: Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, and Consulate General of India, Dubai.
- The Embassy and Consulate will provide services only on a walk-in basis, following the principle of ‘first come, first served’. These services can be availed between 9am to 12.30pm at the two premises.
- To avail the services, all applicants have to visit the Embassy or Consulate in person, along with a completely filled-in application form and requisite documents. The applications will be submitted at the premises after payment of requisite fees.
- At present, the acceptance of fees will only be in cash. Applicants are advised to keep exact change, according to the service desired (see the updated fee schedule below).
- Only the applicant will be allowed inside the Embassy and Consulate premises, to avoid overcrowding, except in cases where the presence of parents is mandatory for minor applicants.
2. New outsourced service provider
Last month, the Embassy announced a change in the outsourced service provider for Indian passport, visa and consular services in the UAE. BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global ended handling of applications on June 30.
As of July 1, the services are now being managed by Alhind Tours and Travels LLC, which has been operating in the UAE since 2007, and won the three-year contract following an international tender that was jointly conducted by the Embassy and Consulate.
Alhind features 16 new Indian consular service centres across the UAE, which became operational on July 1. These centres will offer a full range of services, including passport renewals, visa processing, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card applications, attestations and other consular services for the Indian community in the UAE, as well as visitors to India.
Here are more details about where to find these centres:
Abu Dhabi: Six centres, located in Al Khalidiya, Al Reem Island, Musaffah, Madinzat Zayed, Ghayathi, and Al Ain.
Dubai: Two centres, located in Bur Dubai and Dubai Investment Park.
Sharjah: Two centres, located in Al Majaz and Rolla area.
Ajman: One centre, located in Al Jurf.
Khor Fakkan: One centre, located in the Corniche area.
The remaining centres are spread across Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Kalba, and Ras Al Khaimah.
3. Updated fees
The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, has also updated its fee schedule for passport services. The new charges have been effective since July 1, and apply to both the regular fee, and the Tatkal fee, which is the emergency fast-track service offered by the Government of India for issuing or renewing Indian passports.
Here are the new fees to note:
For applicants aged 18 and above, and minors between 15 to 18 years (if applied under this category):
Ordinary fresh/reissue of passport, containing 36 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh450
- Tatkal fee: Dh900
Ordinary fresh/reissue of passport, containing 60 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh630
- Tatkal fee: Dh1080
Ordinary passport in lieu of lost or damaged passport, containing 36 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh900
- Tatkal fee: Dh1350
Ordinary passport in lieu of lost or damaged passport, containing 60 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh1080
- Tatkal fee: Dh1530
For minor applicants below 18 years:
Ordinary fresh/reissue of passport, containing 36 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh325
- Tatkal fee: Dh775
Ordinary passport in lieu of lost or damaged passport, containing 36 pages:
- Regular fee: Dh775
- Tatkal fee: Dh1225
Fresh passport in respect of minor up to the age of 8 years (discount of 8%, not applicable for re-issue):
- Regular fee: Dh295
- Tatkal fee: Dh700
Special travel document:
- Emergency certificate: Dh60
- Certificate of identity: Dh180
Miscellaneous services:
A standard charge of Dh145 applies to the issuance of:
- Police clearance letter
- Certificate of surrender
- Global Entry Programme (GEP) verification - a background check for Indian nationals who would like to apply for the US GEP, which pre-approves travellers to speed through customs and immigration upon their arrival in the United States.
- Any other miscellaneous certificates based on the passport