Thousands visit on the opening day as 16 centres prepare to handle up to 8,000 applications daily
Dubai: New Indian Consular Application Centres have officially begun operations across the UAE, marking a major change in the delivery of passport and other consular services to the Indian community.
The centres, operated under the leadership of Alhind Tours and Travels, opened on Wednesday morning. Thousands of applicants reportedly visited the facilities on the first day.
Nearly 2,000 appointments were booked shortly after the new online appointment platform went live, according to Mohammed Haris, chairman and founder of Alhind Group.
The main centre at U.W. Mall in Dubai has been equipped with 70 service counters and is capable of processing approximately 600 applications a day. The second-largest facility is located in Dubai Investment Park.
Once all 16 centres become fully operational, they are expected to handle up to 8,000 applications daily. Around 350 employees have reportedly been appointed to support the new network.
The centres will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. New online appointment slots will be released every day at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Applicants will be charged a service fee of AED 19, including VAT, in addition to the applicable government passport fee. The charge covers basic assistance such as form filling, photographs, photocopying, printing and other related services.
According to the report, there will be no separate premium service. All applicants will receive the same standard of service.
The standard passport fee is listed as AED 477, while a Tatkaal passport application will cost AED 927, in addition to the service charge.
Tatkaal applicants, parents applying for newborn passports, people requiring emergency certificates and senior citizens above the age of 60 will be permitted to visit the centres without a prior appointment.
The new facilities will offer passport, visa, document attestation and Overseas Citizen of India services, reducing the need for applicants to visit the Indian Embassy or Consulate directly.
The largest centre is located at U.W. Mall in Al Mankhool, Dubai. The mall is managed by young entrepreneur Mohammed Suhaib, son of expatriate businessman Sulaiman T.M. The report described the establishment of the UAE’s largest Indian passport service centre at a Malayali-led facility as a significant achievement.
Mall Manager Praveen said the centre would provide convenient services in a family-friendly location with extensive parking, a food court, prayer rooms and outlets of leading brands.
The 16 centres are spread across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, making consular services more accessible to Indian residents throughout the UAE.
