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Indian passport renewal in UAE: Supreme Court permits temporary outsourcing
The Apex court has permitted the Indian missions in the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra to temporarily engage the service providers whose contracts were previously set aside
- PUBLISHED: Mon 20 Jul 2026, 1:03 PM UPDATED: Mon 20 Jul 2026, 5:11 PM
In a move that might ease passport renewal delays and other consular services for Indian expats, the Supreme Court of India has permitted the Indian missions in the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra to temporarily engage the service providers whose contracts were previously set aside.
This means the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai now have the option to direct Alhind Tours and Travels to begin offering consular services in the UAE, should they wish to do so, until a fresh tender process is completed.
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The directive by the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the Union Government's challenge to a Delhi High Court judgment that had quashed the tender process for outsourcing Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) services at four Indian missions.
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However, recognising the need to avoid disruption in passport and visa services for millions of Indians, the Supreme Court modified the High Court's directions to permit interim arrangements.
The court directed that the Ministry of External Affairs may engage the existing L-1 contractors (Alhind Tours and Travels in the UAE) if their performance has been satisfactory, or appoint any other agency considered appropriate for the interim period. It clarified that such an arrangement would be purely temporary and would not create any special equities in favour of any party.
The legal tussle
In November 2025, the Indian Embassy issued a tender to outsource consular services at the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. After a competitive bidding process involving companies like VFS Global and SGIVS Global, Kerala-based Alhind Tours and Travels LLC emerged as the lowest bidder and was awarded the contract.
However, two companies that lost the tender, challenged the evaluation process in the Delhi High Court. Last week, the court ruled that the tendering process be conducted afresh and completed within one month.
As the outsourcing of the services hit a legal hurdle, the Indian missions in the UAE stepped in to offer passport, visa, and attestation services directly from their own premises for the first time in 17 years. Currently they operate an appointment-only system through their new official portal.
Alhind offices
Meanwhile, Alhind Tours & Travels had told Khaleej Times in an earlier interview that the company’s 16 offices across the UAE were fully prepared for providing consular services. Last week, a visit to the company’s largest facility in Bur Dubai showed empty waiting chairs and counters as staff ran simulations to ensure their readiness.
The company has completed all operational preparations, including the establishment of 16 CPV Application Centres across the UAE. Centres have been set up in Al Danah, Al Reem, Musaffah, Al Ain, Ghayathi, Madinat Zayed, Bur Dubai, Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Al Majaz, Rolla, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Khorfakkan, Kalba, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Earlier this month, the company rolled out the consular services in Sri Lanka as well.
