The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has officially awarded Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd the new contract to manage Indian passport, visa, OCI, PCC, and related consular support services in the UAE.
This means Alhind will eventually replace the current outsourcing provider for services handled through the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
For UAE residents, the immediate impact is limited because the embassy has not yet announced when Alhind will begin operations. Existing service centres are expected to continue until a formal transition date is confirmed.
Key takeaways:
- Alhind has been selected after submitting the lowest financial bid.
- The contract covers passport, visa, OCI, PCC, surrender certificate, and attestation services.
- BLS International is expected to be replaced after several years of managing these services.
- No official launch timeline has been announced yet.
- UAE residents do not need to take immediate action unless the embassy issues further guidance.
What Does It Mean That Alhind Has Won the UAE Passport Contract?
Alhind winning the UAE passport contract means the company has been chosen by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi to handle outsourced Indian consular services across the UAE.
Instead of applicants dealing directly with the embassy for every step, Alhind will eventually operate service centres, accept applications, collect documents, and coordinate with Indian diplomatic missions.
The contract applies to both the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
Once implemented, UAE residents who need Indian passport renewals, OCI cards, police clearance certificates, or visa-related assistance are likely to use Alhind-operated centres.
This is an important change because the company selected through the tender process usually manages these services for several years.
For many Indians in the UAE, the decision could influence where they submit applications, how appointments are booked, and how quickly documents are processed.
Which Indian Passport and Consular Services Will Alhind Handle in the UAE?
The new contract covers almost every major Indian consular service used by residents in the UAE. Once Alhind begins operations, it is expected to manage applications, document collection, appointment support, and customer service for a wide range of services.
The services include:
- Indian passport renewals and fresh passport applications
- Entry visa and visa-related support
- OCI card applications and renewals
- Police Clearance Certificate applications
- Surrender Certificate requests
- Global Entry Program verification
- Attestation and document verification support
The contract is important because these are among the most frequently used services by Indian expatriates in the UAE.
A person renewing a passport in Dubai, applying for an OCI card for a child in Abu Dhabi, or seeking a police clearance certificate for a job abroad may eventually have to complete the process through Alhind centres.
The company is also expected to provide appointment booking, application tracking, and customer assistance as part of the new arrangement, although the embassy has not yet released the final operating structure.
Why Did Alhind Win the UAE Passport Contract Instead of Other Companies?
The Indian embassy selected Alhind after a formal tender and bidding process that began in late 2025.
The decision was not based only on reputation. Instead, the embassy compared eligible companies and awarded the contract to the one that met the requirements at the lowest approved price.
Which Companies Competed for the Contract?
Four companies were shortlisted during the final stage of the tender process. These firms already have experience in visa, passport, or outsourcing services in the Middle East and abroad.
The shortlisted companies were:
- Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd
- DU Digital Global Ltd
- SGIVS Global LLC
- VFS Global
Each company submitted a financial proposal after passing the earlier technical evaluation. This meant the embassy had already decided that all four companies were capable of managing the required passport and consular services.
VFS Global was widely seen as one of the strongest competitors because of its extensive global experience in government outsourcing. DU Digital and SGIVS Global also have experience in visa and documentation services across several countries.
However, Alhind ultimately emerged as the preferred bidder because its proposal was considered the most financially competitive.
How Did the Financial Bid Process Work?
The tender process began in November 2025, when the Embassy of India invited companies to apply for the outsourcing contract. After reviewing technical qualifications, the embassy moved to the financial bidding stage.
The financial bids were officially opened on March 30, 2026. During this stage, the embassy examined the price offered by each shortlisted company to deliver the required services.
The embassy then followed the standard “L1” model, which means the contract goes to the company offering the lowest approved financial bid among technically qualified applicants.
According to the official notice, the embassy stated:
“After examination of financial bids… the financial bid of M/s Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is declared as the Lowest Financial Bid (L1)… and the contract is awarded.”
That statement confirms that Alhind did not simply win because of brand recognition or previous UAE operations. The company won because its bid met the required standards at the lowest cost to the embassy.
Why Was Alhind Declared the Lowest Financial Bidder?
Alhind was declared the lowest bidder because its financial proposal was lower than the offers submitted by the other three shortlisted firms.
Although the exact figures have not been released publicly, embassy officials confirmed that Alhind submitted the most competitive approved bid. In government contracts, this matters because the selected company must still satisfy technical, operational, and legal standards before being chosen.
Several factors may have helped Alhind submit a lower bid:
- Existing operations in the UAE and Gulf region
- Established staff and office networks
- Experience in travel, visa, and documentation services
- Lower operating costs compared with larger multinational competitors
A source close to the process also suggested that Alhind may already have enough infrastructure in the UAE to reduce setup expenses.
One person familiar with the matter reportedly said,
“Alhind already has a strong operational presence in the UAE and other Gulf countries. That may have allowed the company to offer a lower and more practical bid without reducing service capability. The embassy appears to have viewed that positively.”
Another source involved in the sector said,
“The decision was based on numbers, not assumptions. Once the embassy completed the evaluation, Alhind was clearly the lowest qualified bidder.”
Even after winning, Alhind still needs to complete additional embassy requirements before it can begin offering services.
Why Is BLS International No Longer Handling Indian Passport Services in the UAE?
BLS International has managed Indian passport and visa outsourcing services in the UAE for several years. Many UAE residents are familiar with BLS centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates.
However, the company is no longer expected to continue in this role because the embassy chose a new provider through the latest tender.
Another important reason is that BLS International was reportedly debarred in 2025 from bidding for new Indian Mission contracts for two years.
According to reports, the decision by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs was linked to complaints, court matters, and concerns raised by applicants.
While BLS may continue handling existing operations during the transition period, it was not among the companies shortlisted for the new UAE contract.
Important points for applicants include:
- Existing BLS centres are likely to continue temporarily.
- No immediate closure has been announced.
- Future passport and visa services are expected to shift to Alhind after the transition.
- Applicants should wait for official instructions before changing where they submit applications.
A source close to the matter reportedly explained,
“The embassy has not announced any immediate disruption. Existing applicants should continue using the current process until a formal handover is completed.”
When Will Alhind Start Providing Passport and Visa Services in the UAE?
Although Alhind has already been awarded the contract, the company is not expected to begin operations immediately. Several formal steps still need to be completed before the service officially changes hands.
Has the Embassy Announced an Official Launch Date?
No. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has not yet announced an official launch date for Alhind-operated passport and visa services in the UAE.
This means that UAE residents should not expect any immediate changes to the current system. Existing service centres and appointment procedures are likely to continue until the embassy issues a formal announcement.
At this stage, the embassy has only confirmed that the contract has been awarded.
It has not yet confirmed:
- When Alhind centres will open
- Which cities will receive service centres first
- Whether existing centres will remain in the same locations
- Whether fees or appointment systems will change
Because many residents rely on these services regularly, the embassy is likely to announce the transition well in advance.
What Conditions Must Alhind Meet Before Services Begin?
Before Alhind can start offering passport and visa services, the company must meet several conditions set by the Indian embassy.
Reports indicate that Alhind has approximately 60 days to satisfy these requirements after receiving the contract.
These conditions may include:
- Setting up approved service centres
- Hiring and training staff
- Installing secure systems for handling applications
- Meeting embassy standards for document processing
- Demonstrating data security and customer support readiness
The company may also need to prove that it can manage high volumes of applications across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates.
This preparation period is common when a new outsourcing company takes over an important government service. The embassy wants to ensure that applicants do not face delays, confusion, or security problems during the changeover.
As one person familiar with the matter explained,
“Alhind must meet the criteria set by the embassy within 60 days before it can begin offering consular services. Until then, the existing arrangements are expected to continue.”
Could There Be a Transition Period for Existing Applicants?
Yes. A transition period is highly likely because thousands of Indians in the UAE already have pending passport, visa, and OCI applications.
During this period:
- Existing applications may continue under the current provider.
- New applications could still be accepted through the existing system.
- The embassy may gradually transfer operations to Alhind.
- Some centres could remain open temporarily while new locations are prepared.
For example, a resident in Dubai who has already submitted a passport renewal through the current system may still receive the passport through the same channel, even if Alhind begins operations before the application is completed.
This gradual approach helps prevent delays and confusion. It also gives applicants time to understand where to go, how to book appointments, and what documents they need under the new arrangement.
Until an official announcement is made, UAE residents should continue using the current process and avoid relying on rumours or unofficial social media claims.
How Could the New Alhind Contract Affect Indians Living in the UAE?
For most Indians living in the UAE, the new contract may eventually change where and how they apply for important documents.
The process itself is unlikely to change dramatically because the embassy will continue setting the rules, required documents, and final approvals.
However, applicants could notice changes in customer service, appointment availability, and the number of centres across the UAE.
If Alhind expands into more locations, residents in Sharjah, Ajman, or smaller emirates may find it easier to access services without travelling long distances.
A practical example is a family in Dubai waiting to renew passports before summer travel. They may continue using the current system for now, but later they could be directed to a new Alhind centre with different appointment booking procedures.
At present, there is no confirmed information about changes to:
- Passport fees
- Processing times
- Required documents
- Eligibility rules
Only the service provider is changing, not the underlying embassy rules. (\\
What Is Known About Alhind Tours & Travels and Its Experience in the UAE?
Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is part of the larger Alhind Group, which has operated in travel and service industries for decades. The company was founded in Kerala, India, in 1992 and began expanding into the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries in 1995.
Over the years, Alhind has built a presence in:
- Travel bookings
- Visa assistance
- Foreign exchange
- Tourism services
- IT and business support
- Luxury rentals and transport
The company already has experience serving Indian expatriates in the Gulf region, which may have helped it win the contract. Because Alhind has existing UAE operations, it may be able to open service centres faster and manage applications more efficiently.
The company has also expanded beyond travel. In 2025, Alhind reportedly received approval to begin its own domestic airline operations in India.
Although Alhind is better known for travel and visa services than for passport outsourcing, the embassy appears confident that the company has the scale and infrastructure needed to manage Indian consular services in the UAE.
What Should UAE Residents Do Next If They Need Indian Passport or Visa Services?
UAE residents do not need to take any immediate action because the new system has not started yet. Until the embassy announces a launch date, applicants should continue using the existing process for passport renewals, OCI cards, visas, and police clearance certificates.
The best approach is to:
- Follow updates from the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi
- Check announcements from the Consulate General of India in Dubai
- Keep important documents ready
- Avoid relying on unofficial social media rumours
Anyone planning to renew a passport or apply for an OCI card in the next few months should begin collecting documents early. This includes passports, photographs, proof of UAE residence, and any supporting certificates.
Applicants with urgent travel or employment deadlines should submit applications through the current provider rather than waiting for the transition, because there is still no confirmed date for Alhind to begin operations.
Conclusion
Alhind winning the UAE passport contract marks a major change in how Indian consular services may be delivered across the UAE in the coming months. The company has been selected because it submitted the lowest approved financial bid and will eventually handle passport, visa, OCI, PCC, and related services for Indian residents.
However, the change has not happened yet. BLS International is still expected to continue temporarily until Alhind completes the embassy’s requirements and an official implementation date is announced.
For now, the most important message for UAE residents is simple: continue using the existing process, watch for official embassy announcements, and prepare for a gradual transition rather than an immediate change.
If implemented smoothly, the new contract could eventually make Indian passport and visa services more accessible across the UAE.
FAQs
Will current passport appointments in the UAE still remain valid?
Yes, current appointments and applications are expected to remain valid until the Indian embassy officially changes the service provider. Applicants should continue using the existing process unless they receive new instructions.
Can UAE residents apply for an OCI card through Alhind immediately?
No, Alhind cannot begin processing OCI card applications until the embassy announces the official start date. Until then, OCI applications should continue through the current authorised centres.
Will passport fees increase after Alhind takes over?
There is no official confirmation that passport or visa fees will change. The embassy usually decides the fees, so the service provider change may not automatically affect the cost.
Will Alhind open passport service centres in all emirates?
The company is expected to expand services across multiple emirates, but the final list of locations has not been announced. More details are likely to be released once the transition plan is confirmed.
What should applicants do if they urgently need a passport renewal?
Applicants with urgent travel or work requirements should submit their applications through the current provider without waiting for Alhind. Delaying the process could create unnecessary complications if the transition takes longer than expected.
Could there be delays during the switch from BLS to Alhind?
A short transition period may cause minor delays while the new system is introduced. However, the embassy is expected to manage the change gradually to avoid major disruption.
Where can UAE residents find official updates about the new contract?
The most reliable information will come from the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Residents should avoid relying on unverified social media posts or rumours.
