Appointments open twice daily as 16 new Indian Consular Application Centres begin servicesLast updated: July 22, 2026 | 06:223 MIN READAlhind to handle Indian passport, visa and consular services in UAE from July 22, 2026.Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf NewsGet updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.The services are now being delivered through 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE. Applicants will no longer be able to submit passport and related applications directly at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.Appointments can be booked through consularsevainuae.com, with new slots released daily at 9am and 9pm.The new outsourcing arrangement took effect today (July 22), following changes to the delivery of Indian consular services in the UAE. Under the new system, passport, visa, consular and attestation services replaced in-person application services previously offered at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.The new portal offers streamlined access to a wide range of services, including appointment booking, application tracking, fee information, service guidance, and important updates from the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, and the Consulate General of India, Dubai. "With improved navigation, enhanced accessibility, and a modern interface, applicants can now complete their requests more efficiently and stay informed throughout the process," it said on the website. How to applyApplicants must follow these eight steps:Step 1: Complete the online passport applicationFill in the online Passport Application Form through the Passport Seva Portal. Applicants who need assistance can visit any ICAC centre, where application support is available.Step 2: Book an appointmentBook an appointment through the ICAC website and choose your preferred centre, date and time.Step 3: Prepare your documentsKeep all original documents, photographs and supporting documents ready for verification.Step 4: Visit the ICACArrive at your selected centre on your appointment date and time with all required documents. Entry is permitted only 15 minutes before the appointment.Step 5: Submit your applicationSubmit the completed application along with the required documents and applicable government fees and service charges.Step 6: Collect your receiptA submission receipt will be issued. Keep it safely for tracking your application and collecting your passport.Step 7: Track your applicationApplicants can monitor the status of their application through the ICAC website or the Passport Seva Portal.Step 8: Receive your passportOnce processed, the passport can either be collected from the selected ICAC or delivered to the registered address if a courier service was chosen.Service timingsAll 16 Indian Consular Application Centres operate daily from 8am to 6pm.Service feeIn addition to the Government of India passport fees (revised from July 1, 2026), applicants will pay a service charge of Dh19, inclusive of VAT.According to the announcement, this fee covers ancillary services including:Form fillingPhotograph serviceTyping of documentsDomestic courierPrintoutsPhotocopyingTotal passport fees are Dh477.00 for normal passport application and Dh927 for tatkal (express application).Walk-in services availableThe following categories do not require prior appointments and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at all ICACs:Tatkal passport applicationsNew-born passport casesEmergency Certificate (EC)Senior citizens aged 60 years and aboveWhere are the new ICAC centres?The 16 centres are spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, including Al Danah, Musaffah, Al Reem, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Bur Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.CentreAddressAl DanahAl Ghaith Tower, 1205 Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu DhabiMusaffahCapital Mall, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu DhabiAl ReemOffice No. (WSO 157,158 &159), Level 1, Wafra Square Offices, Al Reem Island, Abu DhabiAl AinBuilding No.14, Street No.1-163, Abdullah Bin Dhahir Al Muhairi St, Al Khibeesi, Al Ain, Abu DhabiMadinat Zayed - Al DhafraBldg No.55, Bada Zayed, Abu DhabiGhayathi - Al DhafraOffice G15-16, Ghayathi Mall, Al Dhafra Region, Abu DhabiBur DubaiUW Mall Al Mankhool, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Rd, 317-11B Street, Bur Dubai, DubaiDubai Investment Park-IRoom 601-02, Bayan, Dubai Investment Park-I, Green Community Village, DubaiAl Majaz - SharjahRoom 902-3, Bell Rashid Towers, Corniche St, Al Majaz 1, SharjahIndian Association - SharjahIndian Association Building, Al Estiqlal St, Al Manakh, Hay Al Qasimiah, SharjahAjmanIndian Association Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Rd, Al Jerf Industrial 3, AjmanUmm Al QuwainIndian Association, Al Neefah, Al Ramlah 2, Umm Al QuwainRas Al KhaimahIndian Relief Committee, Al Mamourah Rd, Al Mamourah, Ras Al KhaimahFujairahIndian Social Club, Al Faseel, FujairahKalba - SharjahIndian Social & Cultural Club, Al Taraif 5, Kalba, SharjahKhor Fakkan - SharjahRoom 203, Bridi 670 Zarouni Building, Sheikh Khalid Road, SharjahThe outsourcing of Indian passport, visa and consular services in the UAE follows months of legal uncertainty over the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) tender process.Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court quashed the MEA's tender for selecting agencies to provide passport, visa and consular services in the UAE and several other countries after finding irregularities in the bidding process. The court directed the ministry to conduct a fresh tender.The Ministry of External Affairs approached the Supreme Court, arguing that cancelling the contracts would disrupt essential services for millions of Indians overseas.On July 21, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court's order, allowing the MEA to proceed with the new outsourcing arrangements while the case continues. Following the court's order, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai announced that Alhind Tours & Travels would take over passport, visa, attestation and consular services in the UAE from July 22, 2026 through a network of 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the Emirates.Dhanusha is a Chief Reporter at Gulf News in Dubai, with her finger firmly on the pulse of UAE, regional, and global aviation. She dives deep into how airlines and airports operate, expand, and embrace the latest tech.