The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced a five-day suspension of routine passport, visa and attestation services across the UAE as the country transitions to a new service provider. Starting June 26 and running through June 30, 2026, all regular appointments will be unavailable.
Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will take over the delivery of outsourced passport, visa and attestation services across the UAE from July 1, 2026.
The pause affects the UAE’s 3.5 million-strong Indian expatriate community, one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, and comes at a time when passport renewals, visa applications, and document attestation remain among the most time-sensitive administrative needs for residents across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates.
Key Dates Every Indian Expat Must Know
The transition follows a clear and non-negotiable timeline.
Existing service providers BLS International, which handles passport and visa services, and SGIVS Global, responsible for attestation services, will stop accepting new applications after the close of business on June 25.
A total five-day suspension will take effect between June 26 and June 30, 2026. External application centres across the country will remain entirely closed to the public, and no routine appointments or document drop-offs will be processed.
The entire infrastructure will reset on July 1, 2026, when Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC officially assumes responsibility, launching a unified network of service centres and a completely redesigned online booking portal.
Anyone with an upcoming passport renewal, visa application, or attestation requirement should submit before June 25 or wait until July 1. There is no middle ground.
Emergency Services Will Continue
The suspension covers routine services only.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai will continue to provide emergency passport, visa and attestation services during the transition period.
Applicants requiring urgent assistance can connect with the official teams through the toll-free helpline at 800 46342, via the official assistance WhatsApp channel at plus 971 54 309 0571, or by sending a direct query to [email protected].
The Embassy has explicitly warned the community to rely only on official embassy channels and verified social media accounts for accurate information, and to ignore unauthorised third-party booking agents.
What Changes With Al Hind Tours and Travel
The transition is not simply a change of name on a service counter. It represents a significant expansion of physical infrastructure designed to reduce waiting times and travel distances for Indian residents across the country.
The new network will include six centres in Abu Dhabi, located 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, while Sharjah will be served by centres in Al Majaz and Rolla. The remaining centres will be located in Ajman at Al Jurf, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khor Fakkan Corniche, Kalba and Ras Al Khaimah.
A new appointment portal for passport, visa and attestation services will be launched before the new provider begins operations.
Indian nationals are urged to register through the official portal only once it goes live on July 1.
What You Should Do Right Now
If your passport is expiring within the next 60 days, submit your renewal application before close of business on June 25. Do not wait until July 1, as demand on the new system’s opening day is expected to be high.
If your application is already in progress with BLS International or SGIVS Global, contact them directly before June 25 to confirm the status of your documents and whether collection is possible before the cutoff.
For genuine emergencies between June 26 and June 30, use the toll-free helpline 800 46342 or WhatsApp the Embassy at plus 971 54 309 0571. Do not visit any external service centre during this window as they will be closed.
Bookmark the official website of the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai and verify all information exclusively through those channels.
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