More Than Four Million Indian Expats Face Major Passport, Visa and Attestation Service Overhaul as Indian Embassy Replaces BLS and SGIVS with Al Hind from July 1

[Abu Dhabi, June 28, 2026] — More than four million Indian expatriates residing in the United Arab Emirates are facing a comprehensive overhaul of consular services as the Indian Embassy transitions its outsourced operational framework. Starting July 1, 2026, Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC will replace the previous service providers, BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global, to manage passport, visa, and attestation processing across the seven emirates.

Shift in Consular Service Management for Indian Diaspora

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has officially designated Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC as the new authorized partner for a wide array of consular requirements. This decision follows a rigorous competitive bidding process aimed at streamlining the delivery of essential government services to one of the largest overseas Indian communities in the world.

The transition replaces the long-standing arrangements with BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global. Industry observers note that this operational shift is intended to modernize the framework through which Indian nationals access diplomatic documentation and legal certifications while maintaining a consistent flow of service delivery.

Comprehensive List of Services Migrating to Al Hind

The new service agreement covers nearly all routine consular interactions. Indian nationals and other eligible applicants will now utilize Al Hind’s facilities and digital infrastructure for the following requirements:

Service Category	Description of Consular Action
Passport Services	Renewals, re-issuance, and fresh passport applications
Visa Processing	Indian visa services for foreign nationals and residents
Citizenship Docs	Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications
Legal Certifications	Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
Document Verification	Certificate and document attestation
Legal Status	Surrender certificates and miscellaneous consular tasks

Strategic Transition Period and Operational Pause

To ensure a secure migration of sensitive data and operational records, the Indian Embassy implemented a phased handover. New applications through the previous agencies were halted after June 25, with a total suspension of regular appointment services occurring between June 26 and June 30.

During this five-day window, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have limited their operations exclusively to emergency passport and urgent consular matters. Officials state that this temporary pause is a necessary measure to prevent data duplication and ensure that the new network is fully synchronized before the official July 1 launch.

Continuity for Pending Applications

A primary concern for the millions of affected residents has been the validity of applications already in the pipeline. Diplomatic sources have clarified that any application submitted via BLS International or SGIVS Global prior to the transition will continue to be processed by those original agencies.

Applicants are not required to restart their processes or resubmit documentation. The existing tracking mechanisms remain active for all pending files, and the handover is designed to ensure that no current application is lost or delayed due to the change in the third-party provider.

New Digital Infrastructure and Appointment Portal

Parallel to the physical service centers, a new digital ecosystem is being deployed. The Embassy has confirmed that Al Hind Tours and Travels will launch a dedicated online appointment portal. This platform will replace the previous booking systems used by the former agencies.

Government officials have issued a stern warning to the public regarding cybersecurity and fraud. Applicants are urged to avoid third-party booking agents or unofficial websites claiming to offer "fast-track" slots. All appointment bookings must be conducted through the official channels verified by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Expanded Service Footprint Across Seven Emirates

Reports indicate that the new provider intends to significantly increase accessibility by establishing a network of 16 service centers. This expansion is designed to cover all seven emirates, reducing the need for residents in northern emirates to travel long distances to Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

This broader geographic footprint is expected to alleviate congestion at primary centers and improve appointment availability. By decentralizing the service points, the Indian government aims to provide more equitable access to consular services for workers, entrepreneurs, and families living in growing residential hubs across the UAE.

Why This Matters: Industry Impact and Information Gain

The scale of this transition—affecting over four million people—underscores the critical nature of consular efficiency in the Gulf region. For Indian expatriates, services like passport renewal and document attestation are not merely administrative tasks; they are prerequisites for residency visas, employment contracts, and legal standing in a foreign country.

From an aviation and travel perspective, the efficiency of these services directly impacts the mobility of a massive workforce. Any friction in the issuance of Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) or passport renewals can lead to delays in employment transitions or travel disruptions.

The shift toward a more expansive, 16-center network suggests a strategic move by the Indian government to treat consular services as a scalable utility rather than a centralized diplomatic function. By outsourcing to a provider with a wider local footprint, the Embassy can maintain diplomatic focus while leveraging private-sector logistics to handle high-volume clerical tasks. This model reflects a broader trend in "consular diplomacy," where the goal is to maximize the "ease of doing business" for citizens living abroad, thereby strengthening the economic ties between India and the UAE.