
Indian Passport Collection UAE : Indian passport applicants in the United Arab Emirates must follow revised collection arrangements after four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah permanently discontinued operations from October 22, 2026. Alhind Tours & Travels, the temporary outsourced service provider for Indian consular services in the UAE, has issued a fresh advisory directing applicants with pending passports to two alternative collection locations from October 25.
The updated Indian passport collection UAE arrangements affect applicants who previously selected in-person collection at the Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Al Majaz, Musaffah or Al Reem centres. Those waiting for passports at the affected Dubai and Sharjah locations must now visit UW Mall in Bur Dubai, while applicants linked to the two closed Abu Dhabi centres must collect their documents from the Al Danah Centre.
The latest advisory ends the temporary arrangement that allowed passport delivery counters to remain open at three of the closed centres after their application submission services had stopped.
Importantly, the closures do not mean that Indian passport services have been suspended across the UAE. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that consular, passport, visa and attestation services continue through 12 operational ICACs.
Applicants should confirm their designated collection point before travelling to avoid unnecessary journeys and delays.
Which Indian Passport Collection UAE Centres Have Closed?
Four Indian Consular Application Centres stopped operating from October 22, 2026, following an announcement by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi on October 21.
The affected locations are spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Their closure reduces the number of operational Indian Consular Application Centres in the UAE from 16 to 12.
The centres affected are:
| Closed centre | Emirate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Investment Park-I (DIP) | Dubai | Closed |
| Al Majaz Centre | Sharjah | Closed |
| Musaffah Centre | Abu Dhabi | Closed |
| Al Reem Centre | Abu Dhabi | Closed |
The changes apply to consular services previously offered at these facilities, including passport-related services and other application processing activities.
Applicants who used one of these locations should no longer assume that their original centre will be available for passport collection. Under the revised Indian passport collection UAE procedure, pending passports must be collected from the alternative location assigned to the original centre.
The Embassy’s announcement cited administrative reasons for the closures. It also confirmed that services would remain available through the other designated centres.
Applicants should rely on the latest official announcements and Alhind’s service advisories rather than older appointment confirmations or collection instructions that refer to the discontinued locations.
Where to Collect Pending Indian Passports From October 25
Alhind’s updated advisory establishes two alternative collection points for applicants whose passports were awaiting pickup at the four closed centres.
The correct location depends on the centre originally selected for in-person collection.
1. Applicants from Dubai Investment Park and Al Majaz
Applicants whose passports were awaiting collection at either of the following centres must visit UW Mall in Bur Dubai:
- Dubai Investment Park-I (DIP), Dubai
- Al Majaz Centre, Sharjah
New collection location: UW Mall, Bur Dubai, Dubai.
This change is particularly relevant to applicants living in Dubai Investment Park, surrounding Dubai communities and Sharjah who previously planned to collect their processed passports from DIP or Al Majaz.
Before travelling, applicants should verify the latest collection instructions and any applicable operating arrangements through Alhind’s official channels.
2. Applicants from Musaffah and Al Reem
Applicants with pending passports associated with either of the following Abu Dhabi centres must visit the Al Danah Centre:
- Musaffah Centre, Abu Dhabi
- Al Reem Centre, Abu Dhabi
New collection location: Al Danah Centre, Abu Dhabi.
The revised arrangement brings passport collections from both affected Abu Dhabi locations together at the designated centre.
Applicants should check that their passport is ready for collection and confirm any required identification or collection documents before visiting.
These arrangements are intended for applicants whose passports are awaiting in-person pickup from the closed facilities. They should not be interpreted as a requirement for every Indian passport holder in the UAE to visit a different centre.
Why Has Alhind Issued a Fresh Service Advisory?
The latest notice follows an interim arrangement introduced immediately after the four centres stopped accepting applications.
Initially, Alhind announced that passport delivery counters would remain available at three affected centres: DIP in Dubai, Al Majaz in Sharjah and Musaffah in Abu Dhabi. However, submission counters were not operating at any of the four locations.
Passports associated with Al Reem were already being directed to the Al Danah Centre for collection.
That temporary arrangement allowed some applicants to receive processed passports from delivery counters even though the main application facilities had closed.
The latest advisory ends that arrangement by directing pending collections from all four discontinued centres to the two designated alternatives.
For people following the Indian passport collection UAE update, the most important distinction is between submitting a new application and collecting an already processed passport.
The earlier arrangement allowed limited delivery activity at selected closed centres. The new arrangement redirects all pending in-person collections from those locations.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on older notices that mention passport delivery at DIP, Al Majaz or Musaffah.
Alhind has apologised for the inconvenience and thanked applicants for their understanding and cooperation.
What About Applicants Who Selected Courier Delivery?
Not every applicant needs to visit an ICAC to receive a passport.
According to the published advisory coverage, applicants who selected courier delivery should receive their passports through the designated courier service. The revised collection locations primarily concern people who opted to collect their documents in person.
Applicants who selected courier delivery should monitor the contact details and tracking information associated with their application, where available.
If a delivery is delayed or the applicant receives conflicting instructions, they should contact the designated service provider through its official channels rather than travelling to one of the closed centres without confirmation.
Those who selected in-person collection should follow the new location mapping:
| Original centre | New collection point |
|---|---|
| DIP, Dubai | UW Mall, Bur Dubai |
| Al Majaz, Sharjah | UW Mall, Bur Dubai |
| Musaffah, Abu Dhabi | Al Danah Centre |
| Al Reem, Abu Dhabi | Al Danah Centre |
This table summarises the revised Indian passport collection UAE arrangements effective October 25, 2026.
Which Indian Consular Centres Remain Open in the UAE?
Despite the closures, Indian consular services remain available through 12 operational ICACs across the UAE.
The remaining network covers Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.
The designated locations include:
| Area | Operational centre locations |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra | Al Danah, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi |
| Dubai | UW Mall, Bur Dubai |
| Sharjah and Northern Emirates | Indian Association Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan |
These centres continue to provide consular, passport, visa and attestation services under the existing outsourced arrangement.
The remaining network is particularly important for applicants who need to submit new applications, renew passports or access other consular services.
The closure of four facilities may affect travel distances and demand at certain locations, particularly Bur Dubai and Sharjah. Applicants should therefore plan ahead and check appointment availability before travelling.
For the latest operational details, the Embassy’s official general information page provides information about outsourced consular services, appointments and service timings.
Appointment Rules, Timings and Walk-In Services
The Embassy’s published guidance states that appointments can be booked through the official Consular Services in UAE portal.
Appointments are released daily at 9am and 9pm. Applicants should select the correct service category and enter their details accurately when making a booking.
The Embassy’s general information page lists service timings at the ICACs as 8am to 6pm. Applicants are advised that entry is allowed only 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.
This means that arriving significantly earlier may not help applicants enter the centre sooner.
Published guidance also provides for walk-in services for certain urgent categories, including Tatkal passport applications, newborn applications, Emergency Certificate requests and applications from people aged 60 and above. These services are subject to the applicable instructions and operational arrangements at the designated centres.
Applicants should verify current eligibility and walk-in arrangements before making a journey, particularly if they are travelling from another emirate.
For people affected by the Indian passport collection UAE changes, the most practical approach is to distinguish between passport pickup, new application submission and urgent walk-in services. Different procedures may apply to each.
Why Are Indian Consular Services Being Reorganised?
The centre closures come amid a broader change in how Indian passport, visa and consular services are managed in the UAE.
According to published reporting by Gulf News, the Embassy issued a new request for proposal (RFP) on September 28, 2026, inviting bids for outsourced consular, passport and visa services at the Indian missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The new tender followed legal proceedings that led to a reset of the earlier outsourcing process. Alhind has been providing services under an interim arrangement while the longer-term contract process continues.
The reported tender timeline identifies November 27, 2026, as the date for awarding the contract. The future service provider will depend on the outcome of that process.
Alhind’s current role should therefore be understood as part of the interim service arrangement. Applicants should not assume that the company will necessarily retain the contract after the tender process concludes.
The closures of the four ICACs and the revised passport pickup instructions are immediate operational changes. The longer-term outsourcing decision is a separate matter.
Applicants should follow announcements from the Embassy and the relevant consular authorities for any future changes to the service network, appointment system or provider.
What Indian Passport Applicants in the UAE Should Do Now
Applicants can minimise confusion by taking a few practical steps before visiting a centre.
First, identify the original collection centre. Check whether the pending passport was associated with DIP, Al Majaz, Musaffah or Al Reem.
Second, use the new collection location. DIP and Al Majaz collections are redirected to UW Mall in Bur Dubai. Musaffah and Al Reem collections are redirected to the Al Danah Centre.
Third, confirm that the passport is ready. Applicants should check the latest instructions and avoid assuming that a document is available simply because the original processing period has passed.
Fourth, prepare the necessary documents. Carry the identification and collection documents required under the relevant instructions.
Fifth, check appointment and service details. For new applications or other consular services, use the official appointment portal and verify the operating hours of the intended centre.
Finally, monitor official announcements. Service arrangements can change during the transition to a new long-term outsourcing contract.
The Indian passport collection UAE advisory is especially important for people who have not yet collected their processed passports and are planning to travel to a centre in another emirate.
FAQs : Indian Passport Collection UAE
1. Which four Indian passport centres have closed in the UAE?
The affected centres are Dubai Investment Park-I in Dubai, Al Majaz in Sharjah, and Musaffah and Al Reem in Abu Dhabi. They discontinued operations from October 22, 2026.
2. Where should I collect my passport if it was pending at DIP or Al Majaz?
Applicants whose passports were awaiting collection at DIP or Al Majaz must visit UW Mall in Bur Dubai under the revised advisory.
3. Where should applicants from Musaffah or Al Reem collect their passports?
They must visit the Al Danah Centre in Abu Dhabi for in-person collection under the updated arrangement.
4. Have Indian passport services stopped across the UAE?
No. Services continue at 12 operational Indian Consular Application Centres across the UAE, although four previous locations have closed.
5. Do applicants who selected courier delivery need to visit a centre?
Generally, applicants who selected courier delivery should receive their passports through the designated courier service. They should follow the latest delivery instructions and contact the service provider if they encounter a problem.
6. Where can I book an appointment for Indian consular services?
Appointments are available through the official Consular Services in UAE portal. Applicants should check the correct service category, appointment availability and current instructions before visiting.
Final Takeaway On Indian Passport Collection UAE
The closure of four Indian Consular Application Centres has changed where some applicants must collect their processed passports, but it has not stopped Indian passport services across the UAE.
From October 25, 2026, applicants with pending in-person collections at DIP and Al Majaz must visit UW Mall in Bur Dubai, while those linked to Musaffah and Al Reem must go to the Al Danah Centre in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian passport collection UAE changes end the temporary arrangement that allowed limited passport delivery at three of the discontinued centres. Applicants who selected courier delivery should continue following their designated delivery arrangements.
With 12 centres remaining operational and a new outsourcing contract expected to be awarded in November, applicants should check official announcements, confirm their collection location and review appointment requirements before travelling.
Source : Gulf News
Read About : Riyadh Airport Attack Kills 12 And Injures 309 As Saudi Arabia, Houthis Trade Strikes
