Alhind Tours & Travels officially took over Indian passport, visa, attestation, and consular services across the UAE starting Wednesday, July 22, opening 16 new centres in a rollout that’s been months in the making, and weeks overdue for the applicants stuck in the middle of it.
If you’ve been trying to renew a passport or get a document attested in the UAE recently, you already know the backstory. Alhind won this tender back in November 2025. Then a legal battle froze everything, forcing Indian missions to run services directly from embassy premises for over three weeks. Long queues. Confused applicants. Not exactly smooth sailing.
That chapter’s closed now. Here’s what replaces it.
How Booking Actually Works
Appointments go through consularsevainuae.com. Slots release twice daily, at 9am and 9pm, Monday through Saturday.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi Offers Free UAE Visa for Indian Tourists: Eligibility & Details Explained
One important shift: passport, visa, and attestation services are no longer available directly at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai. Everything routes through the new Indian Consular Application Centres, or ICACs, instead.
What to Expect Once You’re There
All 16 centres run from 8am to 6pm. Applicants can enter only 15 minutes before their scheduled slot, so showing up early won’t get you in faster.
The Bur Dubai centre is the standout. Forty-five counters, built specifically to cut down wait times that had become a genuine headache under the old setup.
And for anyone dealing with something urgent, there’s good news. Tatkal passport services, newborn applications, Emergency Certificate requests, and senior citizens aged 60 and above can walk in on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment required.
Where To Find a Centre Near You
Sixteen locations, spread across every emirate.
Abu Dhabi has six centres, Al Danah, Al Reem Island, Musaffah, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, and Al Ain.
Dubai has two. The flagship sits inside UW Mall in Bur Dubai, spanning 12,000 square feet. The second is in Dubai Investment Park.
Sharjah covers Al Majaz and Rolla.
Northern Emirates get six centres total, Al Jurf in Ajman, Al Faseel in Fujairah, Al Ramlah in Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Khalid Road in Khorfakkan, Indian Social and Cultural Club in Kalba, and Al Mamourah road in Ras Al Khaimah.
For anything else, there’s a toll-free number: 800248517. Or email support.ae@alhindglobal.com.
How Much It’ll Cost You
Here’s where things get a little more expensive. The Government of India revised passport service charges across the UAE effective July 1, the first increase since 2012.
A standard 36-page passport renewal now costs Dh450, up from Dh285. Tatkaal renewal jumps to Dh900. Sixty-page passports run Dh630 for normal processing and Dh1,080 for Tatkaal.
On top of that, Alhind adds Dh19 to cover services like photocopying and photography.
Why This is Only Temporary
Don’t get too settled with Alhind just yet. The Supreme Court of India has directed the Ministry of External Affairs to run a fresh tender process for outsourcing consular services in the UAE and three other countries. Until that process wraps up, the court has allowed Alhind to serve as an interim provider, enough to keep services running for millions of Indian expats without another disruption.
Massive Day One Turn Around:
Wednesday morning told its own story. Hundreds of applicants showed up early at the new centres, eager to finally move forward after weeks of uncertainty.
Mohammed Haris, Chairman and Founder of Alhind Group of Companies, spoke at the inauguration of the flagship Bur Dubai centre and noted the response had been strong from the moment doors opened.
For some applicants, the relief was immediate and personal.
Davis Varghese, a service coordinator who’s called the UAE home for 30 years, had been stuck for two months trying to get an affidavit processed for his son’s Master’s degree application in Australia. “I couldn’t get an appointment at the Indian Consulate for the past few weeks,” he said. Once the new provider and appointment system went live, he booked a slot almost immediately.
Sayed Ahmed, a longtime Dubai resident, had a similar experience trying to secure a passport for his newborn son. “As soon as the new service provider was announced last night, I was able to book a slot almost instantly. The process was very easy,” he said. Two very different situations. Same sense of relief.
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Pro Tip: Appointment slots on consularsevainuae.com open at 9am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday. You can only enter the centre 15 minutes before your slot, so there is no benefit in arriving early.
FAQs
How do I book an appointment at an Alhind Indian passport centre in the UAE?
Bookings are made through consularsevainuae.com. New slots are released twice a day, at 9am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday.
What are the timings of the Alhind centres?
All 16 centres are open from 8am to 6pm.
Where are the Alhind centres in Dubai?
There are two. The flagship centre is inside UW Mall in Bur Dubai, and the second is in Dubai Investment Park.
How much does an Indian passport renewal cost in the UAE?
A standard 36-page renewal costs Dh450, or Dh900 for Tatkaal. A 60-page passport costs Dh630 normally and Dh1,080 for Tatkaal, and Alhind adds a Dh19 service charge.
Can I visit an Alhind centre without an appointment?
Yes, for Tatkal passports, newborn applications, Emergency Certificates and senior citizens aged 60 and above. These are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
