UAE Indians get more passport service options as 16 new application centres begin operations.
Dubai: Indian nationals seeking passport, visa, consular and attestation services in the UAE will now follow a new application process after the Government of India officially appointed Al Hind Tours & Travels as the service provider for these services from July 22, 2026.
The services are now available through 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE. Applicants will no longer be able to submit passport and other related applications directly at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Appointments can be scheduled through the official portal, with new appointment slots released every day at 9am and 9pm.
The new outsourcing arrangement came into effect on July 22, marking a change in how Indian consular services are delivered across the UAE.
Under the revised system, passport, visa, consular and attestation services will now be handled through designated application centres, replacing the previous in-person submission process available at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
The new portal provides a more streamlined way to access a range of services, including appointment scheduling, application tracking, fee details, service information and updates from the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
“With improved navigation, greater accessibility and a modern interface, applicants can now manage their requests more efficiently and remain updated throughout the process,” the website stated.
How to apply
Applicants will need to complete the process by following these eight steps:
Step 1: Fill out the online passport application
Complete the online Passport Application Form through the Passport Seva Portal. Applicants who require help with the process can visit any ICAC centre, where assistance with filling out applications is available.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment
Book an appointment through the ICAC website by selecting your preferred application centre, along with a suitable date and time.
Step 3: Gather your documents
Ensure you have all required original documents, photographs and supporting paperwork ready for verification before visiting the centre.
Step 4: Visit the ICAC centre
Reach your selected Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) on the scheduled date and time with all necessary documents. Applicants will be allowed entry only 15 minutes before their appointment time.
Step 5: Submit your application
Submit the completed application form along with all required documents, applicable government fees and service charges at the ICAC centre.
Step 6: Receive your acknowledgement receipt
After submission, you will receive a receipt confirming your application. Keep it safely, as it will be required for tracking your application status and collecting your passport.
Step 7: Track your application status
Applicants can check the progress of their application through the ICAC website or the Passport Seva Portal using their application details.
Step 8: Receive your passport
After processing is complete, applicants can collect their passport from the selected ICAC centre or opt for delivery to their registered address if they have chosen the courier service.
Service timings
All 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE will operate daily from 8am to 6pm.
Service fee
Along with the Government of India passport fees (revised from July 1, 2026), applicants will need to pay a service charge of Dh19, inclusive of VAT.
According to the announcement, this charge covers additional support services, including:
Additional services covered by the fee
The Dh19 service charge, inclusive of VAT, covers support services such as:
- Application form filling
- Photograph services
- Document typing
- Domestic courier facility
- Printing services
- Photocopying
The total passport charges are Dh477 for a normal passport application and Dh927 for a Tatkal (express) application.
Walk-in services available
The following applicants can visit any ICAC centre without a prior appointment. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Tatkal passport applications
- Newborn passport applications
- Emergency Certificate (EC) requests
- Senior citizens aged 60 years and above
Locations of the new ICAC centres
The 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) are located across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, covering areas including Al Danah, Musaffah, Al Reem, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Bur Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.
| Centre | Address |
|---|---|
| Al Danah | Al Ghaith Tower, 1205 Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi |
| Musaffah | Capital Mall, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi |
| Al Reem | Office No. WSO 157, 158 & 159, Level 1, Wafra Square Offices, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Al Ain | Building No. 14, Street No. 1-163, Abdullah Bin Dhahir Al Muhairi Street, Al Khibeesi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi |
| Madinat Zayed – Al Dhafra | Building No. 55, Bada Zayed, Abu Dhabi |
| Ghayathi – Al Dhafra | Office G15-16, Ghayathi Mall, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi |
| Bur Dubai | UW Mall Al Mankhool, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, 317-11B Street, Bur Dubai, Dubai |
| Dubai Investment Park-I | Room 601-02, Bayan, Dubai Investment Park-I, Green Community Village, Dubai |
| Al Majaz – Sharjah | Room 902-3, Bell Rashid Towers, Corniche Street, Al Majaz 1, Sharjah |
| Indian Association – Sharjah | Indian Association Building, Al Estiqlal Street, Al Manakh, Hay Al Qasimiah, Sharjah |
| Ajman | Indian Association Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road, Al Jerf Industrial 3, Ajman |
| Umm Al Quwain | Indian Association, Al Neefah, Al Ramlah 2, Umm Al Quwain |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Indian Relief Committee, Al Mamourah Road, Al Mamourah, Ras Al Khaimah |
| Fujairah | Indian Social Club, Al Faseel, Fujairah |
| Kalba – Sharjah | Indian Social & Cultural Club, Al Taraif 5, Kalba, Sharjah |
| Khor Fakkan – Sharjah | Room 203, Bridi 670 Zarouni Building, Sheikh Khalid Road, Sharjah |
The outsourcing of Indian passport, visa and consular services in the UAE comes after months of legal uncertainty surrounding the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) tender process.
Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court cancelled the MEA’s tender for selecting service providers for passport, visa and consular services in the UAE and several other countries, citing irregularities in the bidding process. The court directed the ministry to initiate a fresh tender process.
The Ministry of External Affairs then approached the Supreme Court, arguing that scrapping the contracts could disrupt essential services for millions of Indians living abroad.
On July 21, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s order, allowing the MEA to move ahead with the new outsourcing arrangements while the legal proceedings continue.
Following the Supreme Court’s order, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai announced that Al Hind Tours & Travels would assume responsibility for passport, visa, attestation and consular services in the UAE from July 22, 2026.
The services will be delivered through a network of 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) located across the Emirates.
