Day 1 Rush: Thousands Rush to New Indian Passport Facilities Across Abu Dhabi and Dubai

ABU DHABI, UAE — The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai officially inaugurated expanded Indian passport centres across the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

The strategic expansion introduces upgraded facilities managed by outsourced service provider BLS International Services Limited in high-density expatriate hubs, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Thousands of Indian nationals submitted applications on the first day of operations, seeking passport renewals, re-issuances, Tatkal emergency processing, and attestation services. The expanded network is designed to eliminate appointment backlogs and shorten processing cycles for the over 3.5 million Indian expatriates residing in the country.

Strategic Infrastructure Expansion and Capacity Enhancements

The rollout introduces expanded centers equipped with advanced biometric capture counters, premium lounge options, and expanded token management systems to accommodate high daily applicant volumes.

According to diplomatic officials, the new facilities increase daily processing capacity by more than 35% across the UAE network. In addition to physical counters, the service provider introduced extended operational hours, remaining open six days a week to accommodate working expatriates.

Operational Workflow and Enhanced Digital Appointment Booking

To streamline the application process, diplomatic missions updated guidelines regarding booking slots through the official portal.

The centers feature dedicated helpdesks for senior citizens, infants, and emergency travel document requests. Expatriates applying under the Tatkal scheme can obtain renewed passports within 24 to 48 hours, subject to verification checks by consular staff.

Official Sources Section

Operational announcements, appointment guidelines, and facility locations were released by the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and corporate releases published by BLS International Services Limited.

Quote Section

"According to officials from the Indian diplomatic mission in the UAE, the opening of new and upgraded Indian passport centres across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah significantly enhances processing infrastructure, enabling thousands of Indian citizens to access seamless consular services with reduced turnaround times."

Why It Matters

• For Indian Expatriates: Drastically reduces appointment waiting times for passport renewals, Police Clearance Certificates (PCC), and document attestations.

• For Working Professionals: Extended operating hours and weekend appointments provide flexibility without requiring leave from work.

• For Travelers: Accelerates emergency travel arrangements through streamlined Tatkal processing counters.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Scope: New and expanded Indian passport application centres opened across the UAE on July 22, 2026.

• First-Day Volume: Thousands of applicants processed across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah locations.

• Service Provider: Operated by BLS International Services Limited under consular supervision.

• Capacity Increase: Boosts daily application handling capacity by over 35%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where are the new Indian passport centres located in the UAE?

The new and expanded centres are located in key urban hubs, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai (Al Khaleej Centre and Deira), Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

How can Indian citizens book an appointment at the new UAE centres?

Applicants must first fill out their application on the official Ministry of External Affairs Passport Seva portal and then schedule a submission appointment through the BLS International UAE website.

What is the delivery time for passport renewal under the normal scheme?

Under standard processing, renewed passports are delivered to applicants via courier within 5 to 7 working days following consular approval.

Source: Official press notices issued by the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of India, Dubai, operational updates from BLS International, and reporting archived by Khaleej Times and Gulf News.