Following the transition to Alhind Tours and Travel as the new service provider for passport and consular services, the Consulate General of India in Dubai is working diligently to clear a significant backlog before Independence Day on August 15. Consul General Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy acknowledged that while the system is currently navigating "teething problems," officials are focused on restoring standard processing times. To assist those in urgent need, the Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC) have opened walk-in services specifically for genuine emergencies, such as newborn passport applications, senior citizens, and those requiring Tatkal services with proof of imminent travel, like flight tickets scheduled within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The Consulate has also issued a stern warning to the Indian expat community regarding fraudulent third-party agents who may demand excessive fees for appointment bookings. Officials emphasized that all appointments must be made exclusively through the official portal, consularsevainuae.com. Furthermore, the Consulate clarified that the mandatory Dh19 service charge covers all necessary assistance, including form-filling and photography; therefore, applicants should not pay for any additional "premium" services. By integrating more technology into the process, the mission aims to phase out the need for intermediaries and streamline the experience for the nearly 4 million Indian residents living in the UAE.