The Indian Embassy in the UAE has officially launched a new request for proposals (RFP) to outsource its passport and consular services. This decision follows a Supreme Court directive, which mandated a retendering process after a protracted legal dispute involving previous bidders who contested the initial selection criteria. While the current service provider, Alhind Tours and Travels, continues to operate 16 application centers across the UAE under an interim agreement, this new move aims to formalize the long-term management of these critical services. The government has set a strict timeline, requiring the entire bidding process to be finalized within three months to ensure continuity for the massive Indian expatriate population residing in the country.

Interested companies have until October 26, 2026, to submit their bids, with the selection process focusing on a two-tier technical and financial assessment. The new contract, covering 15 dedicated consular centers across the emirates, will span a three-year term. For the nearly 4 million Indian nationals living in the UAE, the embassy has emphasized that current operations remain unaffected, and all consular requests—including passport, visa, and attestation services—should continue to be processed through the official Consular Seva portal. As the transition unfolds, authorities are committed to maintaining service efficiency and clearing backlogs to prevent any inconvenience to applicants.