Indian Passport Services Move to Dubai Consulate and Abu Dhabi Embassy

India's diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates have assumed direct responsibility for passport services starting Thursday, implementing temporary measures during a transition to a new outsourced service provider.

Interim Arrangement Details

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai will offer limited services covering passports, visas, and attestation documents at both locations. Officials announced the changes through social media platforms, promising continued updates via official government communication channels.

Walk-in applicants are accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis between 9am and 12.30pm daily. Payments must be made in cash, and visitors are urged to verify exact fee amounts on embassy and consulate websites beforehand and bring precise payment to expedite processing.

Authorities recommend completing application forms prior to arrival and ensuring all necessary supporting documents are in hand. Access is restricted to applicants only to prevent overcrowding, with exceptions granted for situations requiring parental presence, such as submissions involving minor children.

Fee Structure Undergoes Major Revision

Concurrent with the operational transition, Indian authorities implemented revised passport fees effective July 1, applying globally to all applicants regardless of location. The adjustment marks the first fee modification since 2012, ending a fourteen-year freeze on pricing structures.

Standard new passports and reissuance of thirty-six-page documents now cost Dh460, increased from the previous rate of Dh285. Replacement of lost or damaged sixty-page passports rose substantially to Dh1,080, climbing from the former charge of Dh665.

The fee overhaul affects approximately 4.5 million Indian residents currently living across the Emirates, representing the largest expatriate community within the country. Mission officials expect significant demand during the transitional phase and advise applicants to plan visits accordingly.

Transition Context and Community Impact

The shift comes as India replaces its existing outsourcing partner responsible for handling routine consular documentation. Until the new provider assumes operations, diplomatic staff at both Abu Dhabi and Dubai missions will manage document processing directly, potentially creating bottlenecks given the massive population served.

Indian community organizations have encouraged members to avoid non-urgent submissions during this interim period unless absolutely necessary, helping reduce congestion at both facilities. The embassy has committed to announcing the launch date for the new outsourced service center once contractual arrangements are finalized.

For the approximately four-and-a-half million Indians calling the UAE home, these diplomatic missions serve as critical administrative lifelines, processing thousands of passport applications, visa renewals, and attestation requests annually throughout normal operations.