Dubai - Passport re-issuance applications can now be made at any of the BLS international Centres across the UAE.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai also issued a press note in this matter on Friday, informing all Indian citizens that passport re-issuance applications can now be made at any of the BLS international Centres across the UAE.
Furthermore, Dr Puri said all applications that arrive at the Consulate from BLS will be processed on the same working day. He explained, "We have taken two decisions on the passport front - We have had many applicants who come to us with a residence visa in Abu Dhabi, however, they live in Dubai and find it more convenient to apply for the passport from the Consulate."
Now, the missions will accept a passport application from any of the centres that the applicant finds it most convenient to apply from, explained the Consul-General.
Passports for non-tatkal categories to be issued in 2 working days from the Consulate
"In 95 per cent of the cases, once the Consulate receives the passport applications from the BLS centres for non-tatkal categories, it will be issued in two working days," he added.
"The remaining cases which require a police verification or other approvals will require an average of two weeks for passport issuance," said Dr Puri. For tatkal and emergency cases, the passport will be issued faster.
The Consul-General said the decision to streamline the system from the Consulate's-end was made due to the backlog created by the Covid-19 situation and the backlogs that arose from BLS taking lesser applications amid social distancing measures. "The processing time at the Consulate will be one-day," said Dr Puri.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com