News Desk
India is set to streamline its consular services in the United Arab Emirates by launching a unified service center, integrating visa, passport, and attestation facilities under one umbrella.
The Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC), scheduled to open in the second quarter of this year, will operate 14 branches across the UAE, serving an estimated four million Indian nationals and foreign applicants seeking Indian visas. The initiative, announced by Indian diplomatic missions, aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a tender to identify service operators for ICAC, which will replace the current fragmented system. The embassy presently relies on BLS International for passport and visa applications and IVS Global for document attestation, alongside limited in-house services at diplomatic missions.
Key features of the ICAC system include an updated online appointment booking platform, appointment slots within five days, and a 30-minute processing time per application. Service providers failing to meet these standards could face financial penalties.
Between January 2022 and December 2024, Indian embassies in the UAE processed over 1.58 million consular transactions, averaging 1,760 transactions per day.
The ICAC will have branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and other key locations, ensuring broader accessibility. While a previous attempt to launch ICAC in early 2024 faced delays due to technical issues, authorities are now moving ahead with a revised plan.
This initiative underscores India’s commitment to improving consular services for its vast expatriate community in the Gulf region.
