The Embassy of India in Riyadh released Corrigendum-I on 7 October 2026 to its 28 September Request for Proposal (RFP) for outsourcing consular, passport and visa (CPV) services in Saudi Arabia. The notice extends the bid-submission deadline to 31 October and clarifies key performance indicators (KPIs) around biometric data security and peak-season staffing. India currently processes over 600,000 visa and passport applications annually in the Kingdom—second only to the UAE in the Gulf. Outsourcing will shift front-office operations to a private vendor while core decision-making remains with consular officers. The corrigendum reduces the bank-guarantee requirement from SAR 5 million to SAR 3 million, a concession welcomed by mid-sized service providers. Why it matters: A well-run outsourcing contract can cut applicant wait-times, but poor execution risks data breaches and reputational damage. Indian companies sending technicians and project staff to Saudi giga-projects (NEOM, Qiddiya) rely heavily on predictable visa issuance. Mobility teams should monitor vendor selection and be ready for transitional slow-downs in Q1 2027. The tender stipulates that the new centre must support Indian government digital platforms—including Su-Swagatam and the DigiLocker-based passport service—within six months of contract award, signalling tighter integration across India’s consular tech stack. Pre-bid meetings are slated for 12:30 pm on 8 October at the embassy; interested bidders can join virtually, reflecting post-pandemic procurement norms.
