Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates no longer have to dedicate weekdays to obtaining their passports. Alhind Global Services, which manages all sixteen Indian Consular Application Centers (ICACs) across the UAE, has launched a passport issuance point on Sundays at each of its locations.
This new service is available from 10:00 to 12:00, providing greater flexibility for those who cannot visit the center during standard working hours. This change was made in response to frequent complaints from the working population, who often face difficulties arranging courier delivery or personal document collection.
Alhind took over services for passport renewals, document legalization, and other consular services back in July. Although the Kerala-based company won the tender in November 2025, legal disputes hindered the start of service provision. These legal disputes arose after two unsuccessful applicants challenged the legality and transparency of the assessment process conducted by the Indian government, demanding a re-tender.
During these legal battles, Indian missions in the UAE handled consular services independently for the first time in 15 years. This transition caused delays in document issuance for several expats, forcing residents to wait in long queues or change their plans during the peak summer travel season.
Following these disruptions in consular services, Alhind faced a large backlog of cases when it began providing its services on July 22. The service provider has now confirmed that all accumulated delays have been fully resolved. Appointments are fully available at all centers, and operations at all 16 ICACs have become more organized and timely.
Upon launch, Alhind promised a fixed rate of 19 dirhams, which covered all services, including form filling, photography, photocopying, and courier delivery organization. With these options available on-site, clients no longer need to contact external agencies to complete basic application tasks.
Last month, the newly appointed Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, cautioned the Indian community against falling victim to fraudulent third-party service providers who charge exorbitant fees for appointment bookings. He also noted that the Consulate is working to implement more technology in passport services to reduce dependence on third-party agents and unnecessary trips to service centers.
Appointments can be booked online on the website. Slots are published daily at 9 am and 9 pm from Monday to Saturday. All 16 Alhind ICACs operate from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and applicants are allowed to arrive at the centers only 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. The Bur Dubai center features 45 windows, which will help reduce waiting times.