Dynamite News Indian Embassy new service to simply Passport process for Expats in UAE
New service outlines plan for enhanced accessibility and efficiency for the estimated 4 million Indians living in the UAE. A must read on Dynamite News:
Abu Dhabi (UAE): The Indian Embassy plans to establish a unified Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) across 14 locations in the country for Indian expats in the UAE. This overhaul, aimed at streamlining consular services, is expected to take effect by the second quarter of 2025, reports our Dynamite News correspondent.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has reopened the tender process for service providers to manage the new centre, which will consolidate all passport, visa, and attestation services under one roof.
New Service Centre
This move comes after a previous tender issued in 2023 was revoked due to technical complications. The latest tender, which has stricter requirements, outlines plan for enhanced accessibility and efficiency for the estimated 4 million Indians living in the UAE.
Also Read |
NIA court frames charges against Abu Dhabi ISIS case accused
Currently, two different service providers, BLS International and IVS Global, handle the bulk of consular services. BLS processes passport and visa applications, while IVS Global manages attestation services. Additionally, some consular services are available directly through the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Dubai.
The new system will replace these separate providers with one integrated service centre across the UAE, with branches in 14 strategic 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.
New Centre to reduce waiting time
The shift is designed to reduce waiting times and increase transparency. The centre will provide a streamlined process with features like a new appointment booking system, real-time tracking of applications, and strict deadlines for processing to ensure efficiency. A fine system will be enforced for any delays in service delivery.
Also Read |
IIFA 2022 winners list: Vicky Kaushal, Kriti Sanon win big
“The service provider must ensure that appointment slots are available within five working days and that each application is processed within 30 minutes,” according to the Request for Proposal document.
15 Lakh Beneficiaries
The new facility is expected to handle more than 1.5 million consular transactions annually, with a focus on expediting processes while maintaining high service standards. For Indian expats, this unified approach promises faster and more accessible consular services in the UAE, greatly improving the expat experience.