Indian Embassy Issues New Tender for Passport and Visa Services
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has officially launched a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for the management of Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) services across the UAE. This tender aims to select a new operator for the Indian Consulates in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Legal Background and Transition
The decision to initiate a fresh tender process follows a ruling by the Delhi High Court on July 15, 2026, which cancelled the previous contract held by Alhind Tours and Travels. While the Supreme Court has since granted permission to begin a new bidding process, it has allowed interim arrangements to remain in place to ensure continuity of service.
Currently, Alhind Tours and Travels is operating 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC) on an interim basis. This follows the expiration of previous contracts held by BLS International and SGIVS Global on June 30, 2026, and subsequent administrative actions by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Scope of the New Contract
The new contract is set to span a period of three years. The successful bidder will be selected based on the lowest financial bid (L1) and will be required to meet strict operational timelines. Specifically, the winning firm must have all required centres operational within 45 days of signing the contract.
The tender specifies the requirement for 15 ICACs to be established in the following locations:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Khor Fakkan
- Kalba
- Ras Al Khaimah
Key Tender Timeline and Requirements
Interested parties must adhere to a strict schedule of deadlines. The process includes a bid security requirement of 756,700 AED, although registered Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are exempt from this payment.
The upcoming schedule