A unified consular service centre aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency for 4 million Indians in the UAE
Abu Dhabi (UAE): The Indian Embassy is set to establish a centralized Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) across 14 locations in the UAE, streamlining passport, visa, and attestation services for Indian expatriates. The initiative is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025, reports Dynamite News, reported dynamitenews.com.
New centre to consolidate services under one roof
The Embassy has reopened the tender process for service providers to manage this unified centre after the initial 2023 tender was revoked due to technical issues. The new system will replace existing service providers, BLS International and IVS Global, with a single integrated service centre offering all consular services.
14 locations to cater to Indian expats across UAE
The ICAC will be established in key locations, including Abu Dhabi (Al Khalidiya, Al Reem, Musaffah), Dubai (Bur Dubai, JLT, Marina), Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khor Fakkan, and Ras Al Khaimah.
This move is expected to improve service efficiency and accessibility for the Indian community
Faster processing, reduced waiting times, and stricter service standards
The new centre will introduce an advanced appointment booking system, real-time tracking of applications, and strict processing deadlines to ensure efficiency. A penalty system will be enforced for delays, with providers required to offer appointments within five working days and process applications within 30 minutes.
1.5 million transactions expected annually
Handling over 1.5 million consular transactions annually, the new service centre is poised to significantly improve the experience for Indian expatriates in the UAE. By consolidating services and enhancing transparency, the initiative aims to provide a faster and more reliable consular service system.
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