All Indian passport centres in UAE to change in 2025
New unified facility to streamline consular services across 14 locations
ABU DHABI: All passport and attestation centres for Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set for a major transformation as Indian missions plan to introduce a unified service centre across 14 locations.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has reopened tender inviting bids to run the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC), consolidating all consular services under a single facility.
New service structure
The ICAC will replace the existing two outsourced service providers, BLS International and IVS Global, which currently handle passport, visa, and attestation services separately.
The revamped system is designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for over four million Indian residents and foreign applicants seeking Indian visas.
Revamped tender process
A previous tender for the ICAC project was issued in 2023, with plans to roll out the system in January 2024. However, technical reasons led to its revocation. The newly issued tender introduces stricter criteria for bidders, including an updated online appointment system, real-time application tracking, and penalties for non-compliance.
According to the tender document, the selected service provider must ensure appointment slots within five working days and maintain a 30-minute turnaround time per application. Failure to meet deadlines could result in financial penalties.
Service volume and demand
The Indian missions in the UAE processed approximately 1,584,174 transactions between January 2022 and December 2024. This equates to about 1,760 transactions daily, based on 300 working days per year. The streamlined system aims to manage this high volume with enhanced speed and efficiency.
Proposed ICAC locations
The ICAC branches are expected to operate in key locations across the UAE:
- Abu Dhabi: Al Khalidiya, Al Reem, Musaffah
- Dubai: Bur Dubai, JLT/Marina
- Sharjah: Al Majaz
- Ajman: Al Jurf
- Fujairah: Fujairah City
- Umm Al Quwain: Umm Al Quwain City
- Ras Al Khaimah: Nakheel/Khuzam/Mareed
- Khor Fakkan: Corniche/Subara
- Kalba: Kalba City
- Al Ain: Al Ain City
- Ghayathi: Ghayathi
What’s next?
The new ICAC system is expected to launch no sooner than the second quarter of 2024. The transition is aimed at reducing waiting times, ensuring a seamless experience, and providing a one-stop solution for all Indian consular services in the UAE.