Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates face an extra day without routine consular services after the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai prolonged a scheduled five-day systems cut-over to 1 July 2026. The pause—initially planned for 26–30 June—allows outsourcing partner Alhind Tours & Travel LLC to assume responsibility for passport issuance, visa stamping and document attestation across the Emirates. Only emergency services remain available via a 24×7 hotline and WhatsApp channel. While the change-over promises online appointment booking and shorter queues in the long run, travel managers should expect delays in collecting stamped passports this week. The Embassy has advised travellers with imminent flights to carry printouts of emergency authorisations and to check airline SOPs regarding boarding without a physical passport in hand. The outsourcing contract replaces BLS International and SGIVS Global, which stopped accepting new applications after 25 June. Fee schedules remain unchanged, but Alhind is required to offer optional doorstep document pick-up within two months of go-live—a potential boon for frequent flyers. Companies employing large numbers of Indian professionals in the Gulf are advised to review assignment calendars, especially where visa renewals coincide with Eid al-Adha travel peaks.
Source: Gulf News
