UAE: Passport Work to Be Completed in 30 Minutes! Big Relief for 4.3 Million Indians

—Surya Prakash Josyula

For Indians living abroad, passport work can be a stressful experience.

They may have to wait for an appointment, submit documents, stand in long queues and sometimes visit the centre again if there is a small issue. The problem becomes even bigger when someone needs to travel to India urgently.

Now, Indian citizens living in the UAE are getting some relief. A new system has been introduced through 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the seven emirates. These centres provide passport, visa, attestation and other consular services.

The biggest change is the plan to complete the application process within 30 minutes.

This does not mean that a new passport will be delivered in 30 minutes. It means the application process at the centre—including document checking and biometrics—is expected to be completed within that time.

Where are these centres?

The 16 centres are spread across the UAE.

There are six centres in Abu Dhabi and two each in Dubai and Sharjah. There is also one centre each in Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khorfakkan, Kalba and Ras Al Khaimah.

The UW Mall centre in Bur Dubai is the biggest one. It covers around 12,000 square feet and has more than 70 counters. The centre can handle thousands of applications every day.

How quickly can you get the passport?

This is where the biggest relief comes in.

Regular passport services may take around 7 to 15 working days. For eligible applicants, the Tatkal service can take around three working days.

However, Tatkal is not available for everyone.

It mainly applies to eligible passport renewal cases where there are no changes in personal details. New passport applications, lost or damaged passports and cases involving changes in details may not qualify for Tatkal.

Who can use the walk-in service?

Some applicants can get services without taking a prior appointment.

This includes eligible Tatkal applicants, newborn babies applying for their first passport, senior citizens and people who need an Emergency Certificate after losing their passport.

They may need to show an urgent flight ticket or other supporting documents.

This can be especially useful for families who need to travel to India at short notice.

When are new appointment slots released?

New appointment slots are released every day at 9 AM and 9 PM UAE time.

People looking for an appointment can check the portal around these times. Demand is expected to be high, especially during the initial phase of the new system.

Why was this new system introduced?

The change comes after some problems and delays in passport and consular services in the UAE.

After a new outsourced service provider took over some of the work, efforts are now being made to clear the pending applications and improve the system.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has also focused on clearing the backlog of Tatkal passport applications. The aim is to clear the pending cases as much as possible by August 15.

So, the 16 new centres are not just about adding more counters. They are also part of an effort to clear the existing backlog and make services faster.

For the millions of Indians living in the UAE, this could mean less waiting and fewer trips to passport service centres.

The 30-minute target is not about getting the passport in 30 minutes.

It is about completing the application process faster.

For an Indian living abroad, that can make a big difference—especially when a passport is needed urgently.

If the new system works as planned, the UAE could see a major improvement in passport and consular services for the Indian community.