(Image source from: INDIAN EMBASSY)
Regular appointments for visas, passports, and document verification at the Indian embassy in the UAE will not be available from June 26 to June 30. This is due to the authorities shifting to a new service provider, as stated in an official announcement from the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi. This temporary break is expected to affect more than 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE, many of whom need these services for traveling, paperwork, and legal matters. The embassy noted that no regular appointments or new applications will be accepted during these five days as part of the planned transfer process. The current service providers, BLS International for passport and visa services and SGIVS Global for attestation services, will stop taking new applications after business hours on June 25, 2026. This break aims to ensure a smooth and complete shift of operations to the new service provider.
Although the regular services will pause, emergency consular services will still be available during the transition period. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai will directly manage urgent requests for passports, visas, and attestations. Those in emergency situations can contact the embassy through:
Toll-Free number - 800 46342 (800 INDIA)
WhatsApp - +971 54 309 0571
Email - pbsk. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. in
According to the announcement, starting July 1, 2026, M/s Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will be in charge of consular services throughout the UAE as the only outsourced service provider. A new online appointment system is also expected to be launched around that same time. Reports indicate that Al Hind is preparing for a major operational launch, including 16 service centers in all seven emirates, with the goal of making it easier for applicants to access services. The new provider has suggested a flat fee structure to help simplify the process and shorten waiting times. This change is being regarded as one of the largest transitions of consular services handled by an Indian mission abroad, given the size of the Indian community in the UAE and the range of services involved. Authorities have urged applicants to schedule their appointments considering the five-day gap and to use only official communication channels from the Embassy and Consulate for updates during this transition period.
