BLS International has managed Indian consular outsourcing services in the UAE for several years, while the embassy has not yet announced a timeline for the new implementation.
The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi has awarded a contract to Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd for outsourcing consular support services in the UAE, according to an official notice issued on April 20.
The contract covers services such as passport processing, visa applications, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), police clearance certificates (PCC), surrender certificates (SC), Global Entry Program (GEP) verification, and related attestation support at the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai.
The decision follows a tender issued in November 2025. Financial bids from four shortlisted companies were opened on March 30, 2026.
“After examination of financial bids… the financial bid of M/s Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is declared as the Lowest Financial Bid (L1)… and the contract is awarded,” the embassy said.
BLS International has been managing Indian consular outsourcing services in the UAE for several years, though the embassy has not yet announced a timeline for when the new arrangement will take effect.
The announcement from the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi on Tuesday followed a tender issued in November 2025 for outsourcing a wide range of services at the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai.
According to the embassy, financial bids were submitted by four shortlisted companies — Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd, DU Digital Global Ltd, SGIVS Global LLC, and VFS Global — with Alhind submitting the lowest bid.
Last year, India barred BLS International from bidding for new Indian mission contracts for two years. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) order dated October 9, 2025, cited allegations including court cases and complaints from applicants.
Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is part of the Alhind Group, which also has interests in IT software, luxury rentals, and foreign exchange. Founded in Kerala in 1992, the company expanded operations to the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries in 1995. Last year, it also received a no-objection certificate to launch domestic airline services in India.
A source close to the matter said the company must meet the criteria set by the Indian embassy within 60 days of the contract award before it can begin offering consular services.
