Indian expats rush for passport renewals in UAE after transition disrupts consular services
Indian expatriates in the UAE are lining up for passport renewals Why are Indian missions handling passport services? Which services are currently available? The missions
Indian expatriates in the UAE are lining up for passport renewals Why are Indian missions handling passport services? Which services are currently available? The missions are currently offering Passport services Visa services Attestation Miscellaneous consular services Timings and entry rules Consular services are available from 9am to 12. 30pm, Monday to Saturday. Appointments are not being accepted. All applicants must visit as walk-ins and will be served strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. To manage crowds, only applicants are allowed inside the premises. Parents may accompany minor applicants. Cash payments only Long queues but support for applicants Special attestation camps The Indian mission has also announced special attestation services at Indian Association Sharjah – July 4 and 5, from 9am to 2pm Indian Social Club, Fujairah – July 5, from 10am to 2pm Applicants have been asked to carry all required documents.
How to contact the Consulate General of India in Dubai When will Alhind take over? Where are the new ICAC centres? The new centres have been set up at Al Danah Al Reem Musaffah Al Ain Ghayathi Bur Dubai Madinat Zayed Dubai Investment Park (DIP) Al Majaz Rolla Ajman Fujairah Umm Al Quwain Khorfakkan Kalba Ras Al Khaimah With the summer travel season at its peak, hundreds of Indian expatriates in the UAE are lining up for passport renewals and other consular services after a transition in service providers disrupted normal operations.Since July 1, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai have been directly handling limited consular services as a legal dispute delays the handover to the new outsourcing agency.The disruption follows the expiry of contracts with previous outsourcing agencies and a 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 they were unfairly excluded during the technical evaluation stage.
The ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily stalled Alhind's takeover.Until the issue is resolved, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the CGI in Dubai are providing essential consular services directly.Applicants have been 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.Heavy footfall has been reported since the new arrangement came into effect, with more than 1,400 people visiting the CGI in Dubai on Friday alone.To manage the rush, the consulate has introduced token systems, waiting tents, and deployed over 100 staff members. Free tea and snacks are being provided to those waiting, while mothers with infants have been given separate breastfeeding facilities.Applicants can reach the CGI through:Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA) +971 54 309 0571Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.inWhile no date has been announced, Alhind said it has completed operational preparations and established 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across all seven emirates.
The BriefWire