Following a significant overhaul of consular services, Indian expats in the UAE now have access to 16 new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) operated by Alhind Tours & Travels. While the transition initially caused some appointment backlogs, authorities are actively working to resolve these issues by August 15. The flagship center in Bur Dubai is particularly impressive, designed to handle up to 8,000 applicants daily with a goal of keeping wait times under 30 minutes. To secure a spot, applicants should monitor the official portal during the daily slot releases at 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.

For those requiring urgent services, the new centers accommodate walk-ins for genuine emergencies—such as medical crises, expiring visas, or newborn passport applications—provided they bring supporting documentation like flight tickets or medical reports. Standard renewals require a valid Emirates ID, existing passport copies, and specific color photographs. While the government has implemented a flat Dh19 service fee on top of the revised passport charges, officials have issued a stern warning against using third-party agents who claim to sell slots, urging residents to use the official, transparent online portal instead.