Millions of Indian Expats Face Higher Passport Fees, New Consular Centres and Mandatory Air Suvidha 2.0 Rules from July 1

Written By: Hrittik Shaw

Hrittik Shaw

Bio-Hrittik Shaw is a travel news writer with a passion for uncovering global tourism trends, aviation developments, destination insights, and hospitality innovations. He specialises in producing well-researched, data-driven, and engaging reports that simplify complex travel industry developments for a global audience. His work focuses on tourism policies, airline news, sustainable travel, infrastructure, emerging destinations, and international travel trends, helping readers stay informed about the rapidly evolving world of travel.

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June 30, 2026 13:30 GMT+5:30

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UAE and India are entering a new phase of travel and consular services as three significant policy changes come into effect from July 1, directly affecting millions of Indian expatriates living across the Emirates. From higher passport and consular charges to an entirely new network of outsourced service centres and the return of a mandatory digital health declaration for international arrivals into India, residents planning documentation updates or trips home will need to prepare for a different travel experience. While each measure has been introduced independently by Indian authorities, together they represent one of the most notable updates for the Indian diaspora in the UAE in recent years.

Higher Passport and Consular Fees Become Effective Worldwide

The first major change concerns passport and consular charges.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, issued revised passport and consular service fee schedules through an official notification, making the updated charges effective from July 1, 2026. As Indian diplomatic missions abroad follow the fee structure prescribed by the ministry, the revised rates automatically apply to Indian citizens residing in the UAE and other countries.

Under the revised schedule, the cost of obtaining or renewing an ordinary passport has increased, while Tatkal passport services and several emergency documentation services have also become more expensive. Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs), surrender certificates and emergency certificates are among the services affected by the revised pricing.

Officials have described the revision as part of an update to statutory passport service charges after several years without significant adjustments. The revised fee schedule has been published through official MEA notifications and is being implemented across Indian embassies and consulates worldwide.

New Outsourcing Partner Takes Over Consular Services Across UAE

A second major transition will reshape how Indian citizens access passport and consular services throughout the Emirates.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced that Alhind Tours and Travels LLC will become the new outsourced service provider for passport, visa and consular services across the UAE from July 1. The move replaces the previous outsourced operators, BLS International and SGIVS Global (IVS), following a fresh tendering process conducted by the Embassy.

The transition is expected to affect thousands of applicants who visit outsourced service centres every month for routine documentation requirements.

According to the Embassy, applications submitted before the transition date will continue to be processed through the previous service providers until completion, while new applications lodged from July 1 onward will be handled through the newly designated network operated by Alhind.

The Embassy has stated that emergency services will continue during the transition period to ensure applicants do not experience disruption.

Sixteen Consular Service Centres Planned Across Seven Emirates

One of the most visible outcomes of the transition is the expansion of service accessibility.

Alhind is set to operate 16 Indian consular service centres across all seven emirates, significantly increasing the number of locations where applicants can complete passport, visa and consular formalities.

Several centres are planned across Abu Dhabi Emirate, including Al Khalidiya, Al Reem Island, Musaffah, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi and Al Ain, while additional facilities are being established in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.

The expanded network is expected to improve convenience for the UAE’s large Indian community by reducing travel times for applicants who previously had to travel considerable distances to access consular services.

The new centres will provide services including passport applications and renewals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) documentation, visa processing, Police Clearance Certificates, document attestation and other consular assistance.

Air Suvidha 2.0 Returns for International Arrivals into India

Alongside documentation changes, international travellers flying from the UAE to India will also encounter an updated pre-arrival health requirement.

Indian authorities have reintroduced the Air Suvidha platform in its updated form, commonly referred to as Air Suvidha 2.0, as part of enhanced international public health surveillance.

The digital platform requires international passengers to complete an online health declaration before travelling to India. The updated system has been introduced in coordination with India’s health and aviation authorities to strengthen health monitoring for inbound international passengers.

Travellers are required to submit personal details, passport information, travel itinerary, recent travel history, destination address in India and health-related declarations before arrival.

After submission, passengers receive an acknowledgement that may be requested during travel or upon arrival.

Authorities have advised travellers to complete the declaration within the prescribed timeframe before reaching India to avoid delays during their journey.

Three Independent Measures Arrive Together

Although the passport fee revision, outsourcing transition and Air Suvidha requirement are unrelated administrative decisions, their implementation around the same period means many Indian residents in the UAE may experience multiple changes simultaneously.

Individuals planning passport renewals during summer travel will pay revised fees while also visiting newly designated service centres. Those travelling to India shortly after completing documentation will additionally need to comply with the updated Air Suvidha health declaration process.

Travel agents across the UAE have advised passengers to verify appointment procedures, documentation requirements and applicable fees before submitting applications or booking travel to India.

Authorities Advise Travellers to Follow Official Channels

The Embassy of India has encouraged applicants to rely only on official announcements for appointment bookings, fee schedules and service centre information during the transition.

Similarly, passengers travelling to India are advised to complete the required online health declaration using the official Air Suvidha platform before departure and monitor updates issued by Indian aviation and health authorities.

Officials have also reminded travellers that processing timelines may vary during the initial weeks of the outsourcing transition as the new service network becomes fully operational.

A New Chapter for the Indian Community in the UAE

For the millions of Indians who live, work and travel between the UAE and India, July 1 marks more than a routine administrative update. Whether renewing a passport, obtaining essential consular documents or boarding a flight home to reunite with family, everyday travel procedures will now involve new costs, new service centres and additional pre-departure requirements. As authorities modernise documentation systems and strengthen international health monitoring, staying informed through official government channels will be the simplest way for travellers to navigate these changes with confidence and avoid unnecessary disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.