Indian passport services UAE applicants have a short but important deadline to note: regular passport, visa and attestation appointments will pause from June 26 to June 30, 2026, as outsourced consular services move to a new provider.
The handover affects Indian nationals and other applicants across the Emirates who use outsourced services for passport, visa and attestation work. Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will take over delivery of these services from July 1, 2026.
For Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the wider UAE Indian community, the practical message is clear. If your application can wait, plan around the transition. If it is urgent, use the emergency channels of the Indian missions during the five-day gap.
What Is Changing From July 1?
From July 1, Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will become the new outsourced service provider for Indian consular services covering passport, visa and attestation work in the UAE. The change replaces the current outsourced providers for those service categories.
BLS International, which handles passport and visa services, and SGIVS Global, which handles attestation services, will stop accepting new applications after the close of business on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
That cutoff matters because routine appointments will not simply continue through the weekend. The transition creates a five-day pause before the new system begins.
When Will Regular Appointments Pause?
Regular appointments for passport, visa and attestation services will not be available to the public from Friday, June 26, to Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The pause is part of the provider transition rather than a permanent service closure. Regular outsourced services are expected to resume through Al Hind from July 1, when the new appointment portal opens.
Applicants should avoid last-minute planning during this window. A renewal, visa document or attestation request that feels routine today may become stressful if travel, employment, school admission or family paperwork depends on it.
Emergency Services Will Continue
Emergency passport, visa and attestation support will continue during the transition period. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai will handle urgent cases directly while routine appointments are unavailable.
Applicants with emergencies can use the official support channels listed by the Indian missions: the toll-free number 800 46342, also written as 800 INDIA; WhatsApp on +971 54 309 0571; or email at [email protected].
Those channels should be used for genuine urgent situations. Routine requests are better planned either before the June 25 cutoff or after the new system starts on July 1.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Anyone with a pending deadline should first check whether their application can be completed before June 25. That includes passport renewals needed for travel, visa paperwork tied to jobs or family moves, and attestations needed for schools, employers or government procedures.
If the application is not urgent, it may be simpler to wait for the new appointment portal from July 1. Applicants should monitor the official Embassy update and the official social channels of the Embassy and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Do not rely on forwarded messages, unofficial agents or screenshots about appointment availability. Dubai Bliss readers have already seen how visa and residency deadlines can become stressful when people leave action too late, as explained in our UAE visa grace period guide.
Where Will The New Centres Be?
The new Al Hind network is expected to include 16 Indian consular service centres across all seven emirates. Abu Dhabi will have six centres in Al Khalidiya, Al Reem Island, Musaffah, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi and Al Ain.
Dubai will have two centres, in Bur Dubai and Dubai Investment Park. Sharjah will have two centres in Al Majaz and Rolla.
The remaining centres are listed for Ajman in Al Jurf, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khor Fakkan on Corniche, Kalba and Ras Al Khaimah. Applicants should still wait for official appointment instructions before visiting any centre.
Why This Matters For Indian Expats In The UAE
Indian passport services UAE updates affect a large resident community. Passport renewals, attestation paperwork and visa documentation often connect directly to employment, school admissions, travel plans and family sponsorship needs.
A five-day pause may sound short, but it can matter for people with near-term flights or fixed submission dates. The safest approach is to check documents now, especially passport validity and any papers needed for travel or official submissions in late June and early July.
The transition also makes official communication more important. Whenever a provider changes, applicants can face confusion about centres, fees, forms, appointment links and document lists. Official updates should be treated as the final reference.
Quick Checklist Before June 25
Check passport expiry dates for all family members. Review any pending attestation needs for education, employment or immigration paperwork. Confirm whether a visa or passport service is urgent enough to complete before the handover.
Save the emergency contact details only for urgent cases. For routine work, wait for the new portal and instructions from Al Hind and the Indian missions.
Most importantly, avoid giving personal documents or payment details to unverified agents during the changeover. A service transition can create confusion, and confusion is exactly when unofficial offers become risky.
FAQs
When will Indian passport services in the UAE pause?
Regular Indian passport, visa and attestation appointments in the UAE will pause from June 26 to June 30, 2026. The pause is part of the handover to Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC.
What is the last date for BLS and SGIVS applications?
BLS International and SGIVS Global will stop accepting new applications after the close of business on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Applicants with routine needs should plan around that cutoff.
Will emergency Indian consular services continue?
Yes. Emergency passport, visa and attestation services will continue through the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai during the transition period.
How can applicants contact the Indian missions in an emergency?
Emergency applicants can call 800 46342, use WhatsApp on +971 54 309 0571, or email [email protected]. These channels are meant for urgent cases during the transition.
Who takes over Indian passport services in the UAE from July 1?
Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC takes over outsourced Indian passport, visa and attestation services in the UAE from July 1, 2026. A new appointment portal is expected to open from that date.