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No extra biometrics needed in the UAE
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Minor fixes are free at BLS
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Renew early if expiring soon for hassle-free global travel
Indian expats in the UAE can now get new chip-enabled e-passports, rolled out by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai from October 2025. These third-generation passports have a tiny RFID chip in the back cover that holds secure biometric details like fingerprints and face scans. Spot one by the small gold symbol on the front.
E-passports meet global standards, so they’re ready for digital visas like the UK’s ETA or EU’s ETIAS. Old passports stay valid until they expire, and switching is free – fees haven’t changed.
This upgrade makes travel safer and quicker. The chip uses top encryption to stop fakes and theft, while biometrics confirm it’s really yours. At airports, it lets you zip through automated gates – slashing waits from 25 minutes to under five. Places like the UAE, Singapore, Australia, and Indian hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru already accept them. Frequent flyers, workers on short trips, and families save the most time.
