There is good news for Indians living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Passport, visa and document verification services have resumed after interim directions from the Supreme Court.
The services are now being provided through 16 new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE.
However, applicants must book an online appointment before visiting any centre.
New Service Provider Takes Charge
From July 22, passport, visa and document-related services are being handled by Al Hind Tours & Travels, the new service provider appointed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
According to the Indian Consulate General in Dubai, the new centres will offer services such as:
Passport renewal
New passport applications
Visa-related services
Document verification
Applicants must first book an appointment through the Consular Seva in UAE portal before visiting their assigned centre.
Why Were the Services Changed?
The change became necessary after the previous outsourcing contract ended on June 30, 2026.
Earlier, BLS International managed passport and visa services, while SGIVS Global Services handled document verification.
To ensure that essential consular services continued without interruption, the Ministry of External Affairs appointed Al Hind Tours & Travels as the interim service provider.
However, the transition was not smooth.
The Delhi High Court, on July 15, set aside the ministry’s technical evaluation process for selecting the new service provider, saying it lacked transparency.
The court also directed the government to begin a fresh tender process within a month.
This created uncertainty for thousands of Indians in the UAE who depend on these services every month.
Supreme Court Ensures Services Continue
The Centre challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.
On July 21, the Supreme Court refused to stay the High Court’s decision but allowed the interim arrangement to continue so that passport and visa services would not be disrupted.
The court also directed the government to complete the fresh tender process within three months, ensuring that applicants do not face unnecessary inconvenience.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
Anyone who needs passport, visa or document verification services in the UAE must first book an appointment through the Consular Seva in UAE portal.
After booking, applicants should visit the assigned consular centre with all the required documents.
People who had already booked appointments are also advised to check the latest instructions issued by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate General in Dubai before visiting the centre.
The current arrangement will continue until the government completes the new tender process and appoints a permanent service provider.
