From July 22, Indian passport services shift to AlHind Tours. The change follows a contract awarded in April 2026 to AlHind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd after the Ministry of External Affairs debarred the former provider, BLS International Service Ltd, from bidding on Indian mission contracts for two years. The debarment stemmed from a MEA order dated October 9, 2025 that cited allegations including court cases and complaints from applicants.
New Consular Hubs Open Across the UAE
The Indian Embassy in the UAE confirmed that 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) will now deliver consular, passport, visa and attestation services. These centres, which AlHind had already set up earlier in the year, remained empty while a legal battle in India delayed the firm from providing services to residents. Each centre operates from 8 am to 6 pm daily, and visitors may enter only 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment, helping to keep queues orderly.
With this change, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai will no longer handle these services in person. Until the ICACs become fully operational, the embassy and consulate had been providing the required services on an appointment‑only basis, a temporary measure that limited access for many residents while the dispute was resolved.
How to Book and What to Expect
Appointments can be booked online at consularsevainuae.com, with slots released twice daily at 9 am and 9 pm. The service charge set by AlHind Tours is Dh 19 inclusive of VAT, covering form filling, photographs, document typing, domestic courier, printouts and photocopies. This fee is added on top of the standard Government of India charges, and a full cost breakdown is available on the same website.
Walk‑in options remain for Tatkal passport services, newborn applications, Emergency Certificates and senior citizens aged 60 years and above. These walk‑ins operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis, giving priority to urgent cases while still adhering to the centre’s operating hours.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the new Indian Consular Application Centres in the UAE?
The Indian Embassy has opened 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE, which now handle all consular, passport, visa and attestation services. The exact locations can be found on the consularsevainuae.com website.
