The Indian Embassy in the UAE has introduced a more inclusive approach to consular services, ensuring that those who need extra support receive priority attention. Indian Ambassador Dr. Deepak Mittal recently announced that People of Determination (PoD), senior citizens over 60, and parents of newborns can now bypass the standard online booking system. These individuals are welcome to visit any Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) as walk-ins, where dedicated counters and priority processing await them, removing the stress of waiting in long queues.

This transition follows the recent launch of 16 new ICAC locations across the UAE operated by Alhind Tours and Travels. While these new facilities offer a wide array of services—ranging from passport renewals and OCI cards to document attestation—standard applicants must still book their slots through the official portal, with appointments released twice daily. The rollout of these new centers marks a fresh chapter for the Indian mission in the UAE, following a period of interim service adjustments and legal challenges that previously delayed the outsourcing process.