Sunday Passport Collection Now Live for Indian Expats in UAE
In a move to ease the burden on the Indian expatriate community, Alhind Global Services has officially launched a Sunday-only passport collection service. This new initiative spans all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the United Arab Emirates, providing a much-needed window for those unable to visit during the standard work week.
A Solution for the Six-Day Work Week
The decision comes as a significant relief for the estimated 4.3 million Indian nationals living in the UAE. A large portion of this population is employed in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and retail—industries that often demand six-day work weeks, making weekday consular visits difficult.
This operational shift follows the successful clearance of previous application backlogs over a two-month period and was implemented under the guidance of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. It marks a new chapter for consular services in the region after Alhind assumed responsibility following the conclusion of contracts with previous providers, BLS and IVS.
Strict Service Limitations
While the Sunday service offers convenience, it is highly specialized. Applicants should note the following restrictions:
- Time Window: The service is available exclusively from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- Scope: The window is strictly for document collection only.
- Prohibitions: No new applications will be processed, and no paperwork services will be permitted during this Sunday window.
Standard Operations and Booking Procedures
For all other consular needs, the ICACs continue to operate under their standard schedule from Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
To ensure a smooth experience, applicants are required to book appointments through the official portal. To manage demand, appointment slots become available at specific times: 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
For those requiring additional assistance, a flat fee of AED 19 is applicable for services including:
- Form-filling
- Photography
- Photocopying
- Courier support
Walk-in Availability
Despite the appointment system, walk-in services remain an option during standard operating hours for specific priority groups, including:
- Tatkal application holders
- Newborn infants
- Emergency certificate applicants
- Senior citizens (aged 60 and older)
- People of determination