Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Indian citizens in the UAE can now book appointments online for passport, visa and attestation services, with Indian diplomatic missions introducing a new appointment system to ease long queues during the ongoing relocation of overseas consular services.The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have started accepting appointments through a dedicated online portal while continuing to offer limited services, according to a report by Khaleej Times.
Online booking portal has been introduced
Applicants can now schedule appointments for passport, visa and attestation services through the newly launched booking portal as Indian Missions seek to simplify access to consular services.The move comes after the two missions began providing essential services directly from July 1 following an interruption in the transition to a new outsourcing agency.
Why change?
The interim arrangement follows the end of contracts with previous service provider BLS. A new contract was awarded to Alhind Tours & Travels LLC after a bidding process, but the delivery was delayed due to legal proceedings in the Delhi High Court.
According to reports, unsuccessful bidders challenged the award process, alleging irregularities in the technical evaluation, which delayed the launch of the new consolidated Indian consular application centres.With the transition period suspended, the embassy and consulate are handling passport, visa and attestation services directly on a limited basis.
Walk-in services will continue with modified times
Missions have made it clear that unregistered applicants will continue to be accommodated, although the timing is now restricted.In-person services will be limited from 9am to 11am at both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai.Priority will be given to emergency cases, including newborn documents and emergency certificates, while other applicants are encouraged to book appointments in advance to avoid long waiting times.Applicants with confirmed appointments will be allowed in 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.
To reduce overcrowding, only applicants will be allowed into the building, except in the case of minor applicants, where both parents must be present.
Entry points for applicants
The embassy also issued revised entry instructions. In Abu Dhabi, applicants for Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) services must enter through the main gate on Embassy Street.Inquiries regarding the delivery of documents and other consular matters will be handled at the Consular Suite, Unit No. 12.
101, First Floor, Guardian Tower (Technip Building), Al Ashira Street.In Dubai, passport and visa applicants must enter through Gate No. 2 of the Consulate General of India, while those seeking attestation services must use Gate No. 1. The same portal will also handle document delivery, work-related matters and queries related to applications.
Applicants are advised to carry complete documents
Missions have urged applicants to arrive with fully completed application forms and all required supporting documents to ensure faster processing.Passport applicants have also been advised to ensure that photographs, signatures or thumb prints are properly uploaded on a clear white background while filling out their applications online.Another important tip is that the consular fee will be accepted in cash only, and applicants are encouraged to carry the specified amount. The missions also reminded applicants that the revised passport fee structure comes into effect from 1 July 2026.
The helpline remains unchanged
For assistance, applicants can contact the Indian Missions through the existing toll-free helpline 800 46342 (800 INDIA), WhatsApp on +971 54 309 0571, or via email at pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in.The UAE is home to an estimated 4.5 million Indian expatriates, making it one of the largest Indian communities abroad. The Indian missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai process one of the highest volumes of passport applications and consular services globally.