Thousands of Indians living in the United Arab Emirates will now be able to book passport, visa and attestation appointments directly with Indian diplomatic missions without paying any appointment booking charges. The move is expected to reduce dependence on third-party agencies, eliminate unauthorised service fees and make consular services more transparent for the Indian community across the UAE.

In a major change to its consular services, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have confirmed that BLS International and SGIVS Global are no longer authorised to provide outsourced consular services.

The revised system has been in effect since July 1, 2026, with all passport, visa and attestation services now being handled directly by the Embassy and the Consulate from their own premises.

The announcement, reiterated in a public advisory issued on July 10, marks a significant shift in the way Indian nationals access essential consular services in the UAE.

What changes for Indians in the UAE?

The biggest advantage for applicants is that appointments can now be booked directly through the official government portal without paying any booking fee. The authorities have clarified that no private agency or intermediary has been authorised to collect money for securing appointments.

This means applicants no longer need to depend on external service providers to obtain appointment slots. The change is also aimed at improving transparency and preventing unnecessary charges that some applicants may have encountered through unofficial channels.

Where to book passport and visa appointments

People seeking passport, visa or attestation services should use only the official appointment portal:
book.passportindiauae.com

Appointments booked through the portal are free of cost, according to the Embassy and the Consulate.

Embassy warns against unauthorised agents

The Indian missions have also cautioned the public against individuals or organisations claiming to represent the Embassy or the Consulate for appointment bookings or consular services.

Officials stressed that any entity presenting itself as an authorised representative for these services is making a false claim. Applicants have been advised not to pay money to BLS International, SGIVS Global or any other person or agency offering appointment assistance on behalf of the Indian missions.

Anyone who believes they have been misled, overcharged or falsely informed by such agencies has been asked to report the matter through the official communication channels of the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.