One day after India’s 16 new Consular Application Centres (ICAC) went live across the Emirates, the operator Alhind Tours & Travels has warned that minor data mismatches—such as using an employer’s phone number instead of a personal one—could lead to rejection or delay of passport and visa applications. Gulf News quoted ICAC officials on 23 July 2026 stressing that applicants must provide their own mobile numbers and proof of relationship for dependants. The caution follows weeks of backlogs after India switched service providers on 22 July. Mobility teams handling large Indian workforces should update pre-arrival checklists and coach employees on the stricter documentation standards. Failure to comply could extend processing times beyond the current 10-day benchmark, affecting mobilisation to UAE worksites. Companies that sponsor dependants should ensure family members carry originals of marriage or birth certificates; ICAC staff report high rejection rates where scanned copies are submitted without originals for verification. The Indian Embassy says walk-in capacity remains limited and is urging applicants to use the ICAC booking portal to avoid queues at the embassy and consulate, which have reverted to appointment-only services.
Source: Gulf News
