Changes taking effect from July 1 will affect passport applications, consular services and travel procedures for millions of Indians in the UAE
Indian nationals living in the United Arab Emirates will face significant changes from July 1 as India introduces higher passport fees, transfers consular services to a new provider and rolls out updated travel documentation requirements for international arrivals.
Under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, the Government of India has revised passport application charges for services including fresh passports, renewals, Tatkal applications and replacement of lost or damaged passports. The revised fee structure will apply to Indian citizens worldwide, including the UAE, which is home to one of the largest overseas Indian communities.
In another major development, passport, visa and consular services in the UAE will be managed by Alhind Tours and Travels LLC from July 1. The company will operate Indian Consular Application Centres across the Emirates, replacing BLS International and IVS Global.
-
The Embassy of India has said applications submitted before the transition will continue to be processed by the existing providers, while emergency consular services will remain uninterrupted during the changeover
-
The new arrangement is expected to improve accessibility through an expanded network of service centres
Travellers flying from the UAE to India should also note updated health documentation requirements. India has launched AIR SUVIDHA 2.0, an upgraded digital health self-declaration platform introduced to strengthen public health surveillance in response to the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. International passengers are required to complete the online self-declaration before departure, preferably during web check-in, and carry the downloaded confirmation for immigration and health screening on arrival.
Officials have advised Indian expatriates to familiarise themselves with the revised passport charges, updated appointment procedures and new travel documentation requirements to avoid inconvenience or delays.
The latest measures form part of India’s broader efforts to modernise overseas consular services, expand digital processing and strengthen border health management for international travellers.
