UAE
India Appoints New Service Provider for Passport, Visa and Consular Services in UAE: The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced a major change in the outsourced service provider responsible for handling Indian passport, visa, and consular service applications across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to an official statement released on June 12, the current service providers, BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global, will continue to offer services until June 30, 2026. Following the completion of a competitive tendering and selection process, Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC has been appointed as the new outsourced service provider for the acceptance and processing of passport, visa, and consular service applications in the UAE.
The transition will take effect from July 1, 2026, after which all applications for Indian passport, visa, and consular services will be received exclusively through designated centers operated by Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC.
Smooth Transition Planned
The Embassy emphasized that detailed information regarding service center locations, operating hours, appointment procedures, service charges, and contact information will be announced separately. These updates will be made available through the official communication channels of the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Applicants have been advised to continue using the existing BLS International and SGIVS Global service centers for all applications submitted until June 30, 2026. The Embassy also urged the Indian community and other applicants to closely follow official announcements during the transition period.
Warning Against Misinformation
In its advisory, the Embassy stressed the importance of relying only on official sources for accurate and verified information. Stakeholders were encouraged to refer to the official websites and verified social media accounts of the Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE for updates, announcements, and clarifications.
The Embassy reiterated its commitment to ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining high standards of consular services for the large Indian expatriate community in the UAE, which numbers in the millions and represents the country’s largest expatriate population.
For now, applicants are advised to continue using existing BLS International and SGIVS Global centers until June 30, 2026, and await further official announcements regarding the new service provider’s operations from July 1, 2026.
