Indian expatriates in the UAE are lining up for passport renewals With the summer travel season at its peak, hundreds of Indian expatriates in the UAE are lining up for passport renewals and other consular services after a transition in service providers disrupted normal operations.Since July 1, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai have been directly handling limited consular services as a legal dispute delays the handover to the new outsourcing agency. Why are Indian missions handling passport services? The disruption follows the expiry of contracts with previous outsourcing agencies and a delayed transition to the new service provider, Alhind Tours & Travels LLC.Although Alhind won the contract after submitting the lowest financial bid in the tender process, two unsuccessful bidders challenged the award in the Delhi High Court, alleging they were unfairly excluded during the technical evaluation stage. The ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily stalled Alhind’s takeover.Until the issue is resolved, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the CGI in Dubai are providing essential consular services directly. Which services are currently available? The missions are currently offering: Passport services Visa services Attestation Miscellaneous consular services Timings and entry rules Consular services are available from 9am to 12. 30pm, Monday to Saturday. Appointments are not being accepted. All applicants must visit as walk-ins and will be served strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. To manage crowds, only applicants are allowed inside the premises. Parents may accompany minor applicants. Cash payments only Applicants have been advised to carry cash, preferably the exact amount, as card payments and bank transfers are not being accepted and change may not always be available. Long queues but support for applicants Heavy footfall has been reported since the new arrangement came into effect, with more than 1,400 people visiting the CGI in Dubai on Friday alone.To manage the rush, the consulate has introduced token systems, waiting tents, and deployed over 100 staff members. Free tea and snacks are being provided to those waiting, while mothers with infants have been given separate breastfeeding facilities. Special attestation camps The Indian mission has also announced special attestation services at: Indian Association Sharjah – July 4 and 5, from 9am to 2pm Indian Social Club, Fujairah – July 5, from 10am to 2pm Applicants have been asked to carry all required documents. How to contact the Consulate General of India in Dubai Applicants can reach the CGI through:Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA)WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in When will Alhind take over? While no date has been announced, Alhind said it has completed operational preparations and established 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across all seven emirates. The company said the transition will begin once the legal proceedings conclude and advised applicants to monitor official embassy announcements for updates. Where are the new ICAC centres? The new centres have been set up at: Al Danah Al Reem Musaffah Al Ain Ghayathi Bur Dubai Madinat Zayed Dubai Investment Park (DIP) Al Majaz Rolla Ajman Fujairah Umm Al Quwain Khorfakkan Kalba Ras Al Khaimah The Government of India revised passport service charges across the UAE with effect from July 1, marking the first fee increase since 2012 as part of a broader effort to standardise passport charges at Indian missions worldwide.The revised fee structure applies at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, the CGI in Dubai, and all ICACs across the UAE. Source link Post Views: 1 Post navigation Where is Mojtaba? Iran’s new Supreme Leader skips father Ali Khamenei’s funeral
