Find Alhind’s Indian passport service centres across the UAE, along with complete details on service charges, office locations and the appointment booking process for passport-related applications.
Alhind Passport Assistance for Indians in the UAE: Centre Locations, Costs and Appointment Guide.
Indian expatriates will soon have easier access to passport and consular services as Alhind launches operations at 16 centres from July 22, offering shorter queues and walk-in facilities for Tatkal applications.
Alhind Takes Charge of Indian Consular Services in UAE, Bringing Faster Passport Assistance and New Application Process
Indian nationals living in the UAE are set to experience a smoother and more organised process for passport renewals, document attestation, and other consular requirements as Alhind Tours & Travels begins handling these services from Wednesday, July 22.
The Kerala-headquartered travel services company has officially taken over operations after securing the contract through a government tender in November 2025. However, the launch of its services was delayed due to a legal dispute, which prevented the company from immediately starting work.
During the delay, Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE continued providing services directly from their own premises. For more than three weeks, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai managed the increasing number of applications. The sudden rise in demand resulted in crowded facilities, longer queues, and uncertainty among applicants trying to complete their passport and document-related procedures.
With Alhind now commencing operations, the process is expected to become more streamlined, with applicants required to follow a new appointment-based system and visit designated Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) instead of approaching the embassy or consulate directly for routine services.
New Appointment System for Applicants
Individuals seeking passport renewal, visa-related assistance, attestation, and other consular services will now have to schedule appointments through the official online portal, consularsevainuae.com.
Appointment slots will be made available twice a day, at 9am and 9pm, from Monday to Saturday. Applicants are advised to regularly check the portal and select a suitable date and time based on availability.
Under the new arrangement, regular consular services will no longer be processed directly at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Instead, applicants must visit one of the authorised ICAC facilities operated under Alhind’s management.
The updated system is aimed at reducing overcrowding at diplomatic premises and ensuring that applications are handled through dedicated service centres with improved facilities.
Expanded Network of 16 Consular Centres
Alhind will operate a network of 16 Indian Consular Application Centres across the UAE, making services more accessible to Indian residents in different emirates.
All centres will remain open from 8am to 6pm, allowing applicants a wider window to complete their procedures. However, visitors will only be permitted to enter the centres 15 minutes before their confirmed appointment time to help maintain orderly operations and avoid unnecessary gatherings.
The Bur Dubai centre, one of the major locations serving a large Indian community, has been equipped with 45 service counters. Authorities expect the increased capacity to help reduce waiting periods and improve the overall customer experience.
Walk-In Facility for Tatkal and Special Cases
While most applicants will need prior appointments, certain categories of urgent and priority cases will continue to receive special consideration.
The Embassy of India has confirmed that Tatkal passport applications, passport requests for newborn children, Emergency Certificate (EC) applications, and services for senior citizens aged 60 and above will be accepted through a walk-in system.
These applications will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis at all ICAC locations. The facility is expected to provide significant relief to people who need urgent travel documents or assistance due to exceptional circumstances.
Improved Convenience for Indian Community
The introduction of Alhind’s services marks a major change in how Indian consular facilities operate in the UAE. By shifting routine applications to dedicated centres, authorities aim to create a more efficient system with better crowd management, faster processing, and improved accessibility.
For thousands of Indian expatriates who regularly require passport renewals, attestations, and related services, the new arrangement is expected to reduce delays and make the overall application process more convenient.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare all required documents before visiting the centres and follow the appointment guidelines to ensure a smooth experience.
Alhind’s 16 Consular Centres Across UAE: Locations, Contact Information and Updated Service Charges
With Alhind Tours & Travels taking over the responsibility of providing Indian passport, attestation, and other consular services in the UAE, applicants will now be able to access facilities through a network of 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) spread across all seven emirates.
The expansion of service locations is aimed at making consular assistance more accessible for the large Indian community living across the UAE. Instead of travelling only to Abu Dhabi or Dubai for routine procedures, residents can now visit centres located closer to their place of residence.
Locations of Alhind Consular Centres Across the UAE
Alhind has opened centres in key residential and commercial areas to ensure wider coverage. The 16 facilities are distributed across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the northern emirates.
Abu Dhabi Centres
The emirate of Abu Dhabi will have the highest number of centres, with six locations serving applicants in different areas.
The centres are located in:
Al Danah
Al Reem Island
Musaffah
Madinat Zayed
Ghayathi
Al Ain
These locations are expected to benefit Indian residents in Abu Dhabi city as well as those living in the western region and Al Ain area, reducing the need for long-distance travel for passport and consular-related work.
Dubai Centres
Two centres have been established in Dubai to handle applications from residents in the emirate.
The main facility, considered Alhind’s flagship centre, is located at UW Mall in Bur Dubai. The centre covers around 12,000 square feet and has been designed to accommodate a large number of applicants with improved infrastructure and service facilities.
Another centre has been opened in Dubai Investment Park (DIP), providing easier access for residents in the southern parts of Dubai and nearby communities.
Sharjah Centres
Residents of Sharjah will have access to two centres located in:
Al Majaz
Rolla
These facilities are expected to serve one of the UAE’s largest Indian expatriate populations, particularly those living and working in Sharjah and surrounding areas.
Centres in Northern Emirates
To improve accessibility outside the major cities, six additional centres have been established in the northern emirates.
The locations include:
Al Jurf, Ajman
Al Faseel, Fujairah
Al Ramlah, Umm Al Quwain
Sheikh Khalid Road, Khorfakkan
Indian Social and Cultural Club, Kalba
Al Mamourah Road, Ras Al Khaimah
The presence of these centres will allow residents in smaller cities and remote areas to access Indian consular services without travelling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
How to Contact Alhind for More Information
Residents who need assistance regarding appointments, documentation requirements, or other service-related queries can directly contact Alhind’s support team.
Applicants can get additional information through the official helpline or email support channel:
Toll-free number: 800248517
Email: support.ae@alhindglobal.com
The support team will assist applicants with queries related to the application process, required documents, and service procedures.
Revised Passport Service Fees in UAE
Along with the change in service provider, applicants should also be aware of the updated passport service charges applicable across the UAE.
The Government of India revised passport-related fees from July 1, marking the first major revision in charges since 2012. The updated fee structure applies to both regular and expedited passport services.
Under the revised pricing system:
Renewal of a normal 36-page passport now costs Dh450, compared with the earlier fee of Dh285.
Tatkal renewal for a 36-page passport is priced at Dh900.
Renewal of a normal 60-page passport costs Dh630.
Tatkal renewal for a 60-page passport is charged at Dh1,080.
The fee revision applies to applicants seeking passport services through Indian missions and authorised service centres across the UAE.
Additional Service Charges by Alhind
Alhind had previously announced that it would collect an additional service charge of Dh19 over and above the government-prescribed passport fees.
The extra amount will cover additional support services provided at the centres, including facilities such as photocopying and photography assistance. This is intended to provide applicants with a more convenient experience by allowing them to complete necessary formalities at a single location.
Easier Access for Indian Expats
The introduction of 16 dedicated ICACs represents a major shift in the delivery of Indian consular services in the UAE. With multiple locations, expanded operating hours, and structured appointment systems, applicants are expected to experience a more organised process compared with the temporary arrangements followed during the transition period.
Indian residents across the UAE can now choose a nearby centre based on their location, book an appointment online, and complete their passport renewal, attestation, and other consular requirements through the new service network.
What Lies Ahead for Indian Consular Services in the UAE After Alhind’s Temporary Takeover
The commencement of services by Alhind Tours & Travels marks an important transition in the way Indian consular facilities are being managed in the UAE. However, this arrangement is not intended to be permanent. The company’s role as a service provider is currently temporary, following directions issued by the Supreme Court of India.
The apex court has instructed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to initiate a fresh bidding process for outsourcing consular services in the UAE and three other countries. The new tender process will determine the long-term service provider responsible for handling passport applications, document attestation, and other consular-related operations.
Until the completion of this process, Alhind will continue managing the Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) as an interim provider. The court’s decision is aimed at ensuring that essential services remain available without interruption for the large Indian expatriate population that depends on these facilities.
Ensuring Continuity of Services
The temporary appointment of Alhind is designed to avoid any gap in consular assistance during the transition period. Passport renewals, attestation requirements, visa-related procedures, and other official services are used regularly by thousands of Indian residents in the UAE.
Any disruption in these services could have caused significant difficulties for expatriates, particularly those requiring urgent travel documents, employment-related attestations, or other time-sensitive paperwork. By allowing Alhind to operate until a new provider is selected, authorities have ensured that applicants continue to have access to necessary facilities.
Fresh Tender Process by MEA
The next major step will be the completion of a new outsourcing tender conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs. The process will involve inviting eligible companies to submit bids for managing consular service centres.
The selected organisation will eventually take over long-term operations after completing all required procedures and approvals. Until then, Alhind will remain responsible for maintaining services and supporting applicants through its network of centres across the UAE.
The tender process is expected to focus on selecting a service provider capable of delivering efficient, transparent, and accessible consular support to Indian citizens abroad.
Importance for the Indian Community in UAE
The UAE is home to one of the world’s largest Indian expatriate communities, with millions of Indians relying on consular services for various official requirements.
For many residents, passport renewal, birth-related documentation, emergency travel documents, and certificate attestation are essential services connected to employment, travel, education, and family matters.
The continuation of services during the tender transition is therefore considered crucial to prevent delays and reduce inconvenience for applicants.
Alhind’s Role During the Interim Period
During its temporary tenure, Alhind will be responsible for operating the designated consular centres, managing appointments, assisting applicants, and ensuring that applications are processed according to the guidelines issued by Indian authorities.
The company’s network of 16 centres across the UAE is expected to help distribute the workload more effectively and reduce pressure on the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
The temporary arrangement will remain in place until the completion of the new tender process and the appointment of a permanent service provider.
Future of Outsourced Consular Services
The outsourcing of consular services has become an important model for several countries as it allows embassies and consulates to focus on diplomatic responsibilities while specialised agencies handle application processing and customer-facing operations.
The upcoming tender process will decide how these services are managed in the future, with the goal of providing faster, more efficient, and more convenient support to Indian citizens living abroad.
For now, Indian expatriates in the UAE can continue using Alhind-operated centres for their consular needs while awaiting further updates from the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the long-term arrangement.
