Indian Embassy Launches New Tender for Passport Services
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has officially initiated a new tender process to manage Indian passport services UAE, including consular, visa, and passport processing. The Request for Proposal (tender number Abu/Cons/415/08/2026) aims to outsource these essential functions for both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
This move comes at a critical time for the massive Indian diaspora. Last year alone, the mission processed nearly 600,000 services, including approximately 400,000 passport applications. The scale of the operation is significant, serving a community of roughly 4.3 million Indians in the UAE and nearly 10 million across the GCC.
A Push for Transparency and Legal Compliance
The decision to launch a fresh tender follows legal developments in India. A 15 July ruling by the Delhi High Court invalidated the previous technical evaluation process, describing it as arbitrary, irrational, and lacking the necessary transparency. While the Supreme Court declined to stay this order, it directed the Ministry of External Affairs to conduct a new, transparent bidding process.
Currently, Alhind Global Services is managing 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC) under an interim arrangement. These stopgap services have been operational since 22 July to ensure continuity, with Sunday collection counters recently added to assist workers. This interim phase follows a period where services were managed internally by the Embassy and Consulate after previous contracts with BLS International and SGIVS Global expired on 30 June.
Tender Timeline and Contract Requirements
The new contract is set for a three-year term. The winning bidder will face strict operational requirements, including the mandate to establish 15 ICACs across several key locations within 45 days of signing the contract. These locations include:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Khor Fakkan
- Kalba
- Ras Al Khaimah
Prospective bidders must adhere to a strict schedule. Organizations must submit their profiles by 4 October, followed by written questions on 5 October. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for 8 October, with the final bid deadline set for 3:00 PM on 26 October. The Embassy expects to announce technical results by 20 November, financial openings by 23 November, and the final contract award by 27 November.
Service Fees and Costs for Applicants
For residents currently using the interim services, the fee structure includes a service charge of AED 19 (inclusive of VAT), which covers tasks such as form filling, photography, photocopying, and domestic courier services. This is in addition to the standard government fees, which increased on 1 July:
- Standard 36-page adult passport: AED 450
- Tatkal services: AED 900
As the 26 October deadline approaches, the outcome of this tender remains a high-priority matter for the 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE, as these services are vital for maintaining legal status and employment stability.