Indian citizens in the United Arab Emirates can collect renewed passports on Sundays starting September 21, 2026. Alhind Global Services has launched a collection service at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centers (ICAC) across the Emirates, removing a longstanding barrier for the working community who previously could only collect documents on weekdays.
The launch of this service represents a new phase of stability for Alhind, which assumed responsibility for issuing Indian passports, visas, and document attestation on July 22, 2026. This followed a period of significant disruptions, including a legal dispute that delayed the company's full operational implementation from the originally planned start on July 1.
- Original Indian Consular Receipt (ICR)
- Original valid Emirates ID
- Previous physical Indian passport, for mandatory stamp cancellation
- SMS confirmation of document dispatch
Meanwhile, Indian missions had been directly providing consular services for 15 years, leading to significant backlogs and queues. Alhind confirmed that 100% of these backlogs have now been cleared, processing over 53,000 services, including approximately 44,000 passport applications, between July 22 and August 22.
The Sunday service is exclusively for the collection and delivery of passports and visas, with no application submissions accepted on that day. While some reports state Sunday hours as 10 AM to 12 PM, another source mentions a broader interval from 9 AM to 5 PM, with a break from 1 PM to 2 PM. Applicants are advised to check the exact timing at their center.
Naš BiroIn addition to the Sunday collection, Alhind has introduced several measures to increase efficiency. Regular passports are now issued within five working days, and the Tatkal (expedited) service within three days. The company charges a flat service fee of 19 dirhams (AED), including VAT, which covers ancillary services like form filling, photography, photocopying, and domestic courier delivery, so applicants do not need to seek these services elsewhere.
For certain categories, including Tatkal applicants, newborns, emergency certificate applicants, senior citizens (60+), and persons with disabilities, walk-ins are allowed without appointments. The ICAC in Bur Dubai, for example, has increased its daily capacity for such candidates to 150. Appointments for all services are released daily at 9 AM and 9 PM on the official portal consularsevainuae.com.
The Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, who assumed office in August 2026, warned the community about third-party scammers charging exorbitant fees for appointment bookings.
He emphasized the Consulate's commitment to introducing more technology to reduce the need for intermediaries and unnecessary visits to service centers, a vision further facilitated by accessible services like the Sunday collection.
Collection by a third party is allowed for immediate family members, with special documentation that includes a signed written authorization and original personal documents from both parties.
The service addresses the needs of an estimated 4.5 million Indians living in the Emirates, offering greater flexibility and reducing reliance on courier services or the need to take a day off. Alhind is implementing these changes in coordination with the Indian Embassy and Consulate, aiming to simplify operations and introduce more technology into passport services.
In the first weeks, there were complaints about queues and processing times on platforms like Reddit. However, recent reports confirm that services have stabilized, indicating a positive shift in user experience after initial challenges. The introduction of Sunday collection, along with cleared backlogs and streamlined procedures, is expected to further restore confidence and significantly improve the overall experience of consular services for the Indian diaspora in the Emirates.
