UAE-Based Indians Will Now Get Only E-Passports — Here’s What That Means
- Publish date: Friday، 31 October 2025 Reading time: 1 min read
India rolls out its global e-passport system, and UAE residents are first in line for the upgrade.
- Related articles
- Asia Cup 2022: Twitter reacts to the win of India against Pakistan!
- No Increase in Pakistani Passport Issuance Fees in UAE
- What Are the Largest Ethnic Communities in the UAE
If you’re an Indian expat living in the UAE, say goodbye to the classic paper passport — the future has officially landed. Starting now, all new Indian passports issued in the UAE will be e-passports, according to the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai.
The system, launched globally by the Indian government on October 28, features a high-tech RFID chip and antenna that store your personal and biometric info. Translation? Your passport just got smarter — and more secure.
Faster Process, Less Hassle
Applying for a passport will now be quicker, thanks to the Passport Seva Programme (GPSP 2.0). Officials say the new process could take as little as two minutes to complete online — just enter your old passport number, verify, and submit.
The upgraded portal also helps cut down wait times at BLS Centres, so no more endless lines or paperwork drama.
Old Appointments? You Have Options
Got a passport renewal appointment soon? No problem. You can either continue with your current paper application or refill your form online to switch to the e-passport.
If you stick to your old form, you’ll receive a traditional paper passport. Go digital, and you’ll get the new e-passport instead.
Why E-Passports Are a Big Deal
Apart from the convenience, e-passports bring extra security. The embedded chip ensures that any forgery attempts will be caught instantly, as the digital and physical data must match perfectly during immigration checks.
Applicants will need ICAO-compliant biometric photos (basically, photos that meet global standards). However, no fingerprints or other biometrics will be collected overseas for now.
And don’t worry — processing time and service fees remain the same.
How to Apply
You can apply or renew your passport through the official online portal:
https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login