Indian passport holders in UAE can now collect passports on Sundays at 16 centres
Appointments are available daily after earlier service disruptions
DUBAI – Indian passport holders in the UAE now have an additional option to collect their passports without visiting a service centre during the working week.
Alhind Global Services has introduced a Sunday passport collection counter at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) it operates across the UAE. The service is aimed particularly at working residents and others who find it difficult to collect their documents during regular operating hours.
The Sunday collection counter operates from 10am to 12pm. It is strictly for passport collection, with applications and other consular services not available on Sundays.
Sunday service
The new facility began on Sunday, September 20, under the guidance of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai. Alhind said the additional counter was introduced in response to customer requirements.
The ICACs normally operate from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. The Sunday facility gives applicants an opportunity to collect their passports in person on their day off instead of arranging collection during the week or waiting for courier delivery.
The option may also help residents who need their passports urgently for upcoming travel or for processing documents such as a new visa or Emirates ID.
Alhind took over passport renewal, document attestation and other Indian consular services in the UAE on July 22, 2026, after winning the tender in November 2025. The rollout had originally been planned for July 1 but was delayed following legal challenges to the tender process.
Backlogs cleared
The transition initially led to queues, longer processing times and delays as the new centres began operations. The Indian missions have since confirmed that 100 per cent of the earlier backlog has been cleared, while appointments are now fully available across the network.
Demand has been significant. According to figures from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the 16 ICACs processed more than 53,000 services between July 22 and August 22, including around 44,000 passport services.
Walk-in services are also available for eligible applicants under the applicable procedures. These include Tatkal passport applicants, newborns, emergency certificate applicants, senior citizens aged 60 and above, and people of determination.
At the Bur Dubai ICAC at UW Mall in Al Mankhool, up to 150 eligible walk-in applicants can be accommodated each day.
Booking and fees
The ICAC network handles Indian passport and visa-related applications as well as attestation of Indian documents. Appointments can be booked through the online consular services portal, with slots released daily at 9am and 9pm.
Applicants can access the centres from Monday to Saturday during their regular operating hours, but entry is permitted only 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.
A range of basic support services is available at a flat charge of Dh19, including assistance with filling forms, photographs, photocopies and courier arrangements. The services are provided at the centres, reducing the need for applicants to use outside agencies for routine application-related requirements.
The Bur Dubai centre has 45 counters, with the additional capacity intended to help reduce waiting times.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has also warned the community about fraudulent third-party service providers charging high fees for appointment bookings. Indian missions have been working towards greater use of technology in passport services to reduce reliance on intermediaries and unnecessary visits to service centres.