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 confirmed that normal passport, visa and attestation appointments will stay suspended until 1 July 2026. Only emergency cases are being accepted.
![Indian missions in UAE extend suspension of passport & visa appointments until 1 July]()
In the meantime, services like VisaHQ can help applicants navigate the disruption. Through its dedicated India page (https://www.visahq.com/india/), VisaHQ offers step-by-step e-visa support, document checklists and real-time tracking, giving travelers an alternative channel until the new UAE centres are fully operational.
The temporary blackout is part of the hand-over to a new outsourced provider, Al Hind Tours & Travels LLC, which won the contract to replace BLS International (passport/visa) and SGIVS Global (attestation). Regular slots had already been blocked from 26-30 June; the 29 June notice extends the freeze to cover transition testing and IT migration. During the pause, applicants cannot submit fresh passports for renewal or lodge visa applications, though e-Visa channels remain open. The missions have published emergency contact numbers and WhatsApp lines for life-or-death travel or document issues. Why it matters: The UAE hosts 3.5 million Indians, and June-July is peak rotation season for offshore workers and school-holiday travel. Employers should reschedule start dates or rota changes that rely on stamped passports. Travellers transiting Dubai who discover expiring passports may need to reroute via India. What’s next: Al Hind will open new centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah on 2 July with extended evening hours. The firm has promised a 48-hour turnaround for Tatkal passports once systems stabilise. Applicants with appointments after 2 July will receive fresh booking links via email.
In the meantime, services like VisaHQ can help applicants navigate the disruption. Through its dedicated India page (https://www.visahq.com/india/), VisaHQ offers step-by-step e-visa support, document checklists and real-time tracking, giving travelers an alternative channel until the new UAE centres are fully operational.
The temporary blackout is part of the hand-over to a new outsourced provider, Al Hind Tours & Travels LLC, which won the contract to replace BLS International (passport/visa) and SGIVS Global (attestation). Regular slots had already been blocked from 26-30 June; the 29 June notice extends the freeze to cover transition testing and IT migration. During the pause, applicants cannot submit fresh passports for renewal or lodge visa applications, though e-Visa channels remain open. The missions have published emergency contact numbers and WhatsApp lines for life-or-death travel or document issues. Why it matters: The UAE hosts 3.5 million Indians, and June-July is peak rotation season for offshore workers and school-holiday travel. Employers should reschedule start dates or rota changes that rely on stamped passports. Travellers transiting Dubai who discover expiring passports may need to reroute via India. What’s next: Al Hind will open new centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah on 2 July with extended evening hours. The firm has promised a 48-hour turnaround for Tatkal passports once systems stabilise. Applicants with appointments after 2 July will receive fresh booking links via email.
