New passport centres provide relief for Indians in UAE after weeks of delays

New passport centres have begun operating across the United Arab Emirates, offering relief to thousands of Indian citizens who faced prolonged delays in processing their passport and visa applications. The launch of 16 dedicated application centres marks a significant shift in how consular services are managed, easing the burden on embassies and consulates that had been overwhelmed by the surge in demand. The centres, located in all seven emirates, began functioning on Wednesday, with Indian citizens flocking to them in large numbers. The decision to outsource operations to Al Hind Tours and Travels followed a protracted legal dispute in India regarding the tender process for the service. The conflict led to the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate general in Dubai taking direct responsibility for passport renewals, resulting in severe backlogs. With the new setup, the situation has improved dramatically, allowing applicants to access services more efficiently. The Indian diaspora in the UAE, numbering around 4.3 million, constitutes approximately a third of the country’s total population. Many of these individuals have expressed satisfaction with the newly established centres. Madeen Shaikh, a resident of Mumbai, renewed his passport at a centre in Al Ghaith Tower, Abu Dhabi, describing the process as both swift and hassle-free. He noted that the entire procedure took no more than 20 minutes, highlighting the efficiency of the new system. Similarly, Imran Khan, who works at a supermarket in Abu Dhabi, applied for his newborn’s passport at a nearby centre. He praised the convenience of the location and the quality of assistance provided by the staff. “We are just very happy because it's near to us. We can come and get the information we need,” he remarked, adding that the service met his expectations. The legal battle that preceded this change began when the Ministry of External Affairs initially selected Al Hind as the preferred operator in April. However, competitors challenged the tender process, leading the Delhi High Court to invalidate the selection. The Supreme Court of India later intervened, granting the ministry a three-month period to initiate a new tender process while authorizing the continued use of Al Hind to handle ongoing workflows. Al Hind’s head of sales, Saheer Kizhakkam Kunnath, confirmed that the company had anticipated the high volume of applications. With a combined capacity of over 8,000 applications across all 16 centres, the firm reported receiving nearly 1,800 appointment requests within the first day of operation. He emphasized that the centres were strategically placed to ensure accessibility for all Indian nationals, noting that the service was available at six locations in Abu Dhabi alone. Kunnath also highlighted the improvements made since the previous system, which saw long waits and limited resources. He stated that the current setup allowed for faster processing times, with many procedures completed in under 30 minutes. Additionally, he noted that the collaboration with embassy and consulate personnel ensured that the staff were well-trained and adequately equipped to meet the needs of applicants. The new system also represents a consolidation of services previously handled by separate companies. For over a decade, Indian expatriates had to rely on BLS for passport-related matters and SGIVS Global for document attestations. Now, through a centralized online portal at consularsevainuae.com, applicants can conveniently book appointments and access a range of consular services in one place. As the new system takes hold, Al Hind’s management remains optimistic about its future role in providing consular services. Kunnath expressed confidence that the company would continue serving as the primary service provider, citing the affordability and efficiency of the service, charged at just 19 dirhams, inclusive of photos and forms. The transition appears to have successfully addressed the urgent needs of the Indian community in the UAE, offering a reliable and accessible solution to a longstanding challenge.