Indian Passport Services UAE Delay: Everything Expats Need to Know Right Now
Indian expatriates in the UAE are experiencing service delays for passports and attestations following a legal dispute over outsourcing contracts. The Indian Embassy and Consulate have moved to a temporary, limited walk-in service model, with applicants advised to visit in person for assistance.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Indian consular services, including passport renewals, are now provided on a temporary, limited walk-in basis at the Embassy and Consulate.
- The disruption is caused by a legal dispute regarding the appointment of a new outsourcing provider for consular applications.
- Services are available on a first-come-first-served basis from 9 AM to 12:30 PM, with strict entry rules and cash-only payments.
- The transition to the new provider, Alhind Tours and Travels, is currently stalled due to a status quo order from the Supreme Court.
Indian expatriates residing in the United Arab Emirates are currently facing significant disruptions in accessing essential consular support, including passport and attestation services. Starting July 2, 2026, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have transitioned to a temporary, limited, walk-in system for these services. This change has emerged as a result of a legal dispute surrounding the outsourcing of administrative functions.
Understanding the Indian Passport Services UAE Delay
The current Indian passport services UAE delay is rooted in an ongoing tender conflict regarding the appointment of a new service provider. Previously, BLS International and SGIVS Global Services managed these operations, but their contracts concluded on June 30, 2026. While Alhind Tours and Travels LLC was selected to take over as the new single service provider for the Indian Consular Application Centres, a legal challenge initiated by other bidding companies—E Trav Tech and Verasys—has effectively stalled the transition.
The dispute, which has reached the Delhi High Court and involved the Supreme Court of India, revolves around the evaluation criteria for the government tender. Due to a status quo order issued by the apex court, the new provider has been unable to formally assume operations. Consequently, the Indian diplomatic missions are handling the workload directly to ensure that critical needs are met for the approximately 4.5 million Indian expats living in the region.
The missions have clarified that these walk-in services are strictly temporary and operate on a first-come, first-served basis between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM. To maintain order and comply with security requirements, entry is restricted solely to applicants, with the exception of minor applicants who require parental accompaniment. Authorities have emphasized that only cash payments are accepted for these services, and applicants are expected to bring exact change. Furthermore, a new fee schedule for passport-related services, which took effect on July 1, is currently being enforced at these centers.
While Alhind Tours and Travels LLC planned to launch 16 dedicated service centers across all seven emirates to improve accessibility, these facilities remain on hold pending the resolution of the legal proceedings. The diplomatic missions have advised the community to stay tuned for further updates regarding the transition to the new service provider as the situation evolves in the coming weeks.
