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Indian Embassy to open 14 new passport centers across UAE
In the second quarter of 2025, the Indian Embassy will open 14 ICAC centers across the UAE to enhance consular services for more than four million expatriates.
Representative image of UAR / Pexels
In a major initiative to enhance consular services, the Indian Embassy has announced the establishment of 14 new service centers under the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) in the UAE.
The new centers are scheduled to launch in the second quarter of this year and will feature 14 branches across the UAE, improving access to consular services for Indian expatriates. As outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Outsourcing of CPV Services at the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, and the Consulate General of India, Dubai, released on Jan. 31, the new ICAC branches will be set up in the following locations to further enhance accessibility: Abu Dhabi: Al Khalidiya, Al Reem, Musaffah, Al Ain, Ghayathi, Dubai: Bur Dubai, JLT/Marina Sharjah: Al Majaz, Ajman: Al Jurf Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain Khor Fakkan: Corniche, Subaru Kalba, Ras Al Khaimah: Nakheel, Khuzam, Mareed.
The proposal stated, “14 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) for CPV Services as specified in Section 1(A) (xi) of Chapter VII under the jurisdiction of Mission/Post in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Ras Al Khaimah in well-connected commercial complexes with ample parking facilities for applicants, in prime locations.”
The embassy has issued a tender to find operators for the ICAC, which will integrate all consular services under one facility. This new system aims to benefit approximately four million Indian nationals in the UAE, as well as foreign citizens applying for Indian visas.
Currently, the embassy uses BLS International for passport and visa applications and IVS Global for document attestation. Some services are also managed directly by the Indian Embassy and the Consulate in Dubai. The new ICAC program will streamline these services into a single, more efficient system.
The ICAC aims to improve service quality by ensuring operational efficiency and increased transparency. Key features of the proposed system include:
- A new online portal for appointment booking
- Faster appointment slots are available within five days
- A processing time of 30 minutes per application
According to the Request for Proposal (RFP), service providers who fail to meet efficiency standards may face financial penalties. Between January 2022 and December 2024, Indian embassies processed over 1.58 million transactions, handling an average of 1,760 applications daily.
The initial tender for the ICAC project was issued in 2023, with a planned launch in January 2024. However, due to technical issues, the project was delayed.
With the latest announcement, Indian citizens in the UAE can soon expect improved access to consular services through this comprehensive system.
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