The system for Indian passport and consular services in the UAE has been undergoing a major transition, bringing uncertainty for over 3.5 million Indian expats. According to a report by Khaleej Times, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are now handling passport, visa, and attestation services directly from their own premises for the first time in 17 years. This shift follows a legal challenge in the Delhi High Court that stalled the planned handover to a new outsourced provider.
In November 2025, the Indian Embassy issued a tender to outsource consular services. Kerala-based Alhind Tours and Travels LLC emerged as the lowest bidder and was awarded the contract. The company had planned to launch 16 dedicated centres across all seven emirates on 1 July, including a 12,000-square-foot facility in Bur Dubai with over 45 service counters. It pledged a unified service fee of just Dh19 above the mandatory government charges and hired more than 400 staff.
However, two firms that lost the tender challenged the evaluation process in the Delhi High Court, creating a legal stalemate that prevented Alhind from taking over. The contracts of the previous operators, BLS International and SGIVS Global, expired on 30 June and they ceased operations. The Delhi High Court directed that the tendering process be conducted afresh and completed within one month. The court also ruled that existing incumbents may be allowed to temporarily continue their services to avoid disruption, but the final decision now rests with the Indian missions in the UAE.
How to book an appointment
Appointments are now strictly required in Dubai. A limited number of walk-ins are still allowed at the embassy in Abu Dhabi, but only for emergencies and without guaranteed service.
To book an appointment, applicants must log into the official portal at book.passportindiauae.com, create an account, complete email verification, and sign in. They then choose the relevant entity — the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai — enter the required details, and pick an available slot. Appointment slots are released every day at 8pm for the following day and fill up quickly.
New passport renewal fees
Passport renewal fees increased from 1 July. An ordinary fresh or reissue application for a 36-page passport now costs 450 dirhams in the normal category, up from the previous Dh285. Under the Tatkaal expedited scheme, the same passport costs Dh900. For a 60-page passport, the fees are Dh630 for a normal renewal and Dh1,080 for Tatkaal.
Temporary closure in Dubai
On Thursday, the Indian consulate in Dubai announced a temporary closure from Friday 17 July until Sunday 19 July due to road maintenance work being carried out by the relevant authorities. Applicants with appointments during this period should check the official portal for rescheduling information.
The situation remains fluid. The Delhi High Court specified that the new tendering process should be completed within one month, but until then Indian expats will continue dealing directly with the missions. Applicants are advised to monitor the official portal for updates.
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