Citizenship document debate, passport fee hikes, new consular centres, and new travel rules — everything Indian expats in the UAE need to know right now.

What Sparked the Debate in the UAE

In what has come as a surprise to the millions of Indian citizens living in the UAE and across the world, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official has said that the Indian passport is primarily a travel document, not a proof of citizenship. 

The clarification has again highlighted a structural gap — India does not issue a single citizenship certificate. At present, no single document — whether Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport — serves as conclusive proof of citizenship. Government sources have also said there is no change in policy, adding that passports have always been issued after verification of citizenship but remain travel documents, not citizenship certificates. 

Should UAE-Based Indians Be Worried?

The reassuring part is that nothing has actually changed — the official was restating a long-standing legal position, not announcing a new rule. For everyday travel, the e-passport is as valuable as ever. For questions of citizenship, though, Indians may need their birth and family records rather than the booklet in their pocket. 

Possession of a valid Indian passport creates what lawyers call a "rebuttable presumption" of citizenship — a passport holder is presumed to be an Indian citizen unless evidence emerges proving otherwise. "A passport is issued to citizens of India and citizenship is verified before it is issued. However, legally speaking, that presumption can be challenged if contrary evidence exists." 

Bottom line for UAE expats: Your Indian passport remains fully valid for travel, visa applications, Emirates ID, and all UAE residency processes. The legal debate does not affect your day-to-day life in the UAE.

MAJOR CHANGE 1 — New Consular Service Provider from July 1, 2026

This is the most immediate and practical change affecting all 4.5 million Indians in the UAE.

Alhind Tours and Travels LLC will formally take over the processing of passport, visa, and attestation applications from July 1, 2026, replacing existing providers BLS International and SGIVS Global (previously known as IVS).

Why the Change?

In October 2025, BLS International was barred by India's MEA from bidding in future government tenders for two years, on account of allegations including court cases and complaints from applicants.

More than 15 international companies participated in the tender. The contract was officially awarded on April 21, 2026, to Alhind Tours and Travels LLC, which submitted the lowest financial bid of Dh19 per transaction. Other bidders included VFS Global, DU Digital, and SGIVS Global.

 
What Services Will ICAC Provide?

The new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC) will bring everything under one roof — covering:

•    Passport renewals and fresh passport applications
•    Visa applications
•    OCI card applications
•    Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
•    Surrender certificates
•    Document attestation 

Key Dates & Transition Timeline
 

Emergency passport, visa, and attestation services remain available through the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai throughout the transition period. 

ICAC Service Details
 

Emergency Contact During Transition

•    Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA)
•    WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571
•    Email: [email protected]

MAJOR CHANGE 2 — Passport Fee Hike of Up to 75%

India is raising passport fees by up to 75% starting July 1, 2026, under a gazette notification issued by the MEA on June 20 under the Passports (Amendment) Rules. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the fee hike applies to passport applicants in the UAE and globally. 

New Fee Structure (from July 1, 2026)
 

UAE-specific pricing in AED will be announced separately by the Indian missions in the UAE.

MAJOR CHANGE 3 — Air Suvidha 2.0 Mandatory for UAE Travellers

Passengers travelling from the UAE to India must now complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 online self-declaration form within 24 hours before arrival in India. Travellers are strongly advised to fill it out before boarding or during web check-in. On arrival, you will only need to show the downloaded form at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter — no physical paperwork needs to be filled on landing. 

The Big Picture — Scale of India–UAE Ties

The UAE is home to more than 4.5 million Indians, making it one of the largest overseas Indian communities worldwide. Indian diplomatic missions process over 560,000 consular services annually, including more than 360,000 passport-related applications. 

The simultaneous implementation of revised passport fees, expanded consular infrastructure, and updated travel health procedures represents one of the largest reforms affecting India–UAE travel in recent years. 

Action Checklist — What UAE-Based Indians Should Do NOW
 

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