Al Hind Indian Consular Application Centre : Indian expatriates in the UAE will soon see a significant change in passport, visa, and other consular services as Al Hind Tours and Travels takes over as the new service provider. The change is supposed to make access easier for millions of Indians living in the UAE, but it has also caused uncertainty among applicants who are accustomed to incumbent suppliers BLS International and IVS.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced that Al Hind will manage outsourced consular services from July 1, 2026. The company will take over from BLS International and SGIVS Global, which have been providing various services to Indian citizens in the UAE for numerous years.
Al Hind Indian Consular Application Centre Change Brings New System for UAE Expats
The new partnership would supply services through Al Hind’s Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs). These centers will process a variety of applications, such as passport renewals, new passport requests, visa applications, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, police clearance certificates, document attestation, and other consular procedures.
Officials stated that the goal of the shift is to establish a better structured and efficient system by consolidating multiple services under one provider. Previously, applicants had to approach different agencies based on the sort of service desired. The new model is designed to simplify the procedure for Indian citizens throughout the UAE.
The shift occurred as a result of a competitive tender process performed by Indian missions in the UAE. Al Hind Tours and Travels was chosen after a bidding process and will operate under a three-year agreement. The corporation has committed to increase service capacity and meet the growing demand from the Indian community.
More than four million Indians live and work in the UAE, making it one of the country’s largest expatriate communities. Due to the enormous volume of passport and consular requests, citizens continue to prioritize service quality and timeliness.
During the changeover time, BLS and SGIVS will stop taking new appointments after June 25, and normal services will be temporarily suspended from June 26 to June 30. Throughout this time, Indian diplomatic missions will continue to provide emergency assistance.
Al Hind Indian Consular Application Centre Expansion Faces Challenge of Smooth Transition
From July 1, applicants will be required to use Al Hind’s new appointment system rather than the previous BLS and IVS platforms. When the new centres open, a new web gateway is planned to go live.
The new network will feature 16 locations spread throughout all seven emirates, making it easier for Indians living outside major cities to receive services. Locations are planned for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and other cities.
Al Hind has also announced plans to hire hundreds of people to support its operations. If demand increases, the company plans to add more counters in order to cut wait times and improve the customer experience.
However, any big service shift might cause short-term problems. Many candidates are concerned about scheduling changes, document requirements, and adjusting to the new system. Residents have been encouraged to rely solely on official updates and avoid disinformation throughout the transition time.
This signals a substantial shift in how Indian consular services are delivered in the UAE. While the discontinuation of BLS and IVS operations is a significant change for normal applicants, the new ICAC model is expected to provide a more unified approach.
The success of Al Hind’s system will be determined by its ease of deployment, speed of processing, and ability to manage a huge volume of applications from the Indian expat population. If handled properly, the move might increase convenience and accessibility for millions of Indians living in the UAE.
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