Indian Passport Fee Hike UAE 2026: New Prices, New Service Provider, and Everything Indian Expats Need to Know
By Thasmiya
Indian passport fees in the UAE increased by up to 70 per cent from 1 July 2026. A standard 36-page adult passport now costs AED 450, up from AED 285. A 60-page passport costs AED 630, up from AED 380. At the same time, passport and consular services in the UAE have moved to a new provider — Alhind Tours and Travels LLC — operating through a network of 16 centres called Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC). The previous providers BLS International and SGIVS Global have shut their doors permanently. The service fee is AED 19 per transaction. This is the first fee revision since 2012 — the first in 14 years.
**What Changed on 1 July 2026**
For 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE — the largest Indian diaspora community in the world — 1 July 2026 was one of the most consequential days for consular services in recent memory.
Two major changes hit at exactly the same time. The Indian government raised passport fees by up to 75 per cent globally through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on 20 June 2026, under the Passports Amendment Rules. And simultaneously, the entire UAE consular service operation changed hands — a new provider, a new name, a new system, and a new network of centres replacing everything that existed before.
If your Indian passport is due for renewal, if you need an OCI card, a police clearance certificate, or any other consular service, this article gives you every detail you need before you make an appointment.
**The New Passport Fees: Complete Breakdown**
The new fee structure was officially confirmed by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. The revised fees apply uniformly across the Embassy, the Consulate General, and all Indian Consular Application Centres operated by the outsourced service provider across the UAE. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced)
Here is every category with the old fee, the new fee, and the percentage increase:
**Adult Passports — Normal Category**
A standard 36-page fresh or reissued passport for an adult now costs AED 450, up from AED 285 — a rise of approximately 60 per cent. A 60-page passport costs AED 630, up from AED 380.
**Adult Passports — Tatkal (Expedited) Category**
Under the new structure, a 36-page passport costs AED 900 under the Tatkal scheme, while a 60-page passport under Tatkal costs AED 1,080. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced)
**Lost or Damaged Passport Replacement — Adults**
A 36-page replacement passport costs AED 900 under normal processing and AED 1,350 under Tatkal. A 60-page replacement costs AED 1,080 normally and AED 1,530 under Tatkal. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/new-passport-fees-announced-for-indian-expats-in-uae-from-july-1-1.500592283) These are among the steepest increases in the entire new fee structure.
**Minor Passports (Under 18 Years)**
A fresh or reissued 36-page passport for a minor costs AED 325 under normal processing and AED 775 under Tatkal. For a lost or damaged passport, the fee is AED 775 for normal and AED 1,225 for Tatkal. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced)
**Children Under 8 Years — Special Discount**
Children up to the age of 8 years applying for a fresh passport receive a 10 per cent discount, bringing the normal fee to AED 295 and the Tatkal fee to AED 700. This discount does not apply to reissue cases. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced)
**Special Travel Documents**
An Emergency Certificate costs AED 60. A Certificate of Identity costs AED 180. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/new-passport-fees-announced-for-indian-expats-in-uae-from-july-1-1.500592283)
**When Was the Last Fee Revision?**
The fees for passport and passport-related services were last revised in 2012. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced) This means Indian passport holders in the UAE went 14 years without a fee increase before this revision came into effect.
**The New Service Provider: Alhind Tours and Travels LLC**
The fee increase is only half the story. Equally significant is the complete overhaul of how Indian consular services are delivered in the UAE.
Alhind Tours and Travels LLC formally took over the processing of passport, visa and attestation applications from 1 July 2026, replacing existing providers BLS International and SGIVS Global — popularly known as IVS. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
**What Are the New Centres Called?**
The new service centres operate under the name Indian Consular Application Centre, or ICAC — branding used by Indian missions globally. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
**What Services Does ICAC Cover?**
Unlike the previous arrangement, where applicants had to approach two separate providers for different services, the new ICACs bring everything under one roof, covering passport renewals, fresh passport applications, visa applications, OCI card applications, police clearance certificates, surrender certificates and document attestation, among other services. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
This is a meaningful improvement for applicants who previously had to navigate multiple providers depending on which service they needed.
**How Much Is the ICAC Service Fee?**
Alhind has proposed an all-inclusive service fee of AED 19 per transaction. Appointment slots are expected to be available within five working days, while the application process itself is targeted to take around 30 minutes. [Gulfbuzz](https://www.gulfbuzz.com/new-passport-charges-health-declaration-rules-uae-indians-should-know/)
**How Many ICAC Centres Are There?**
A total of 16 centres are planned across all emirates, [Travel And Tour World](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/o24gvy281ruc/) compared to the 16 BLS branches and 2 SGIVS centres that previously operated across the UAE.
**What Happened to BLS and SGIVS?**
According to the Embassy, both BLS and SGIVS were required to stop accepting new appointments after the close of business on 25 June 2026. A five-day suspension of routine services followed from 26 to 30 June, during which no new regular appointments could be booked through either provider. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988) Both providers have now permanently closed their doors to Indian consular service applicants in the UAE.
**How to Book an Appointment at ICAC**
The ICAC system under Alhind is the only route for all routine passport and consular applications in the UAE from 1 July 2026 onwards. Here is what you need to do:
Monitor official announcements from the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai for the confirmed ICAC centre locations across the UAE. The official social media channels of both missions are the most reliable source for updates as the full network rolls out.
When booking opens, appointment slots are targeted to be available within five working days. The in-centre process is targeted to take approximately 30 minutes per application.
For any urgent requirements that cannot wait for the ICAC system to be fully operational, emergency passport services, visa services, and document attestation remain available directly through the Indian diplomatic missions.
**Emergency Contact Details for Urgent Applications:** Toll-free number: 800 46342 (800 INDIA) [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988) WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571 Email: [pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in](mailto:pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in)
**Air Suvidha 2.0: The New Travel Rule for Flights to India**
Alongside the passport and consular service changes, there is a third update that every Indian UAE resident travelling to India needs to know about.
Passengers travelling from the UAE to India must complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 online self-declaration form before departure. Passengers are strongly advised to fill it out before boarding or during web check-in. On arrival, you will only need to show the downloaded form at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter, with no physical paperwork to fill out on landing. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/indian-expats-in-uae-face-major-changes-new-passport-fees-and-travel-rules-explained-1.500587467)
The form must be completed within 24 hours before arrival in India. Completing it before check-in is the most practical approach to avoid any delays at the airport.
**Why These Changes Matter: The Scale of Indian Consular Activity in UAE**
To understand why these changes matter so significantly, consider the scale of the Indian community in the UAE and the volume of consular activity it generates.
According to the Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal, the UAE is now home to 4.5 million Indians, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world. The Indian Embassy and the Indian Consulate in Dubai together handle a substantial volume of consular work. Over 1.58 million services and transactions were processed in the three years from January 2022 to December 2024, equivalent to around 1,760 transactions every working day. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
With passport-related services alone accounting for over 364,000 transactions in 2024, the combination of a fee increase and a complete provider change affects an enormous number of UAE residents directly and immediately.
**What This Means For You: Practical Advice**
**If your passport expires within the next six months**, this should be your immediate priority. Book an appointment at an ICAC centre as soon as the system is fully operational. Do not delay — appointment availability in the first weeks after the transition may be limited as demand surges from applicants who were waiting for the new system.
**If you need a passport urgently right now**, contact the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai directly through the toll-free number, WhatsApp, or email listed above. Emergency passport services remain available through the missions throughout the transition period.
**If you have children under 8**, note the 10 per cent discount on fresh passport applications — this applies at the new fee level and reduces the cost to AED 295 for a normal 36-page passport. The discount does not apply to renewals or replacements.
**If you are travelling to India**, complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 declaration within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival in India. Do this before web check-in to ensure smooth processing at Indian airports.
**If you need an OCI card, police clearance certificate, or document attestation**, these services are now all processed through ICAC under the single Alhind provider — you no longer need to go to different centres for different services.
**Budget for the new fees.** If you have a family of four with passports due for renewal, budget at AED 450 per adult passport plus the AED 19 ICAC service fee per application. The total cost for two adults renewing standard 36-page passports is approximately AED 938 including service fees, compared to AED 608 previously.
**Frequently Asked Questions**
**What are the new Indian passport fees in UAE from July 2026?** A normal fresh or reissued 36-page passport for adults costs AED 450, up from AED 285. A 60-page passport costs AED 630, up from AED 380. Under Tatkal, a 36-page passport costs AED 900 and a 60-page passport costs AED 1,080. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced) An additional ICAC service fee of AED 19 per transaction applies.
**Who replaced BLS and IVS for Indian passport services in UAE?** Alhind Tours and Travels LLC replaced BLS International and SGIVS Global from 1 July 2026. The new centres operate under the name Indian Consular Application Centre, or ICAC. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
**How much is the ICAC service fee in UAE?** Alhind has proposed an all-inclusive service fee of AED 19 per transaction, covering all consular services processed through the ICAC network. [Gulfbuzz](https://www.gulfbuzz.com/new-passport-charges-health-declaration-rules-uae-indians-should-know/)
**How many ICAC centres are there in UAE?** A total of 16 ICAC centres are planned across all emirates. [Travel And Tour World](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/o24gvy281ruc/) Check the official social media channels of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai for confirmed locations.
**Are the new Indian passport fees only for UAE or worldwide?** The fee revision is a global change announced by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. According to the Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal, the fee hike applies globally, including for the estimated 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988) This is not a UAE-specific change.
**When were Indian passport fees last revised?** The fees for passport and passport-related services were last revised in 2012. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced) The July 2026 revision is the first fee increase in 14 years.
**What is the new fee for a lost Indian passport in UAE?** A 36-page replacement passport for a lost or damaged document costs AED 900 under normal processing and AED 1,350 under Tatkal. A 60-page replacement costs AED 1,080 normally and AED 1,530 under Tatkal. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/new-passport-fees-announced-for-indian-expats-in-uae-from-july-1-1.500592283)
**What is the new Indian passport fee for minors in UAE?** A fresh or reissued 36-page passport for a minor below 18 years costs AED 325 for normal processing and AED 775 for Tatkal. Children up to the age of 8 applying for a fresh passport receive a 10 per cent discount, bringing the normal fee to AED 295 and the Tatkal fee to AED 700. This discount does not apply to reissues. [Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/indian-passport-fees-increase-in-uae-new-prices-announced)
**What is Air Suvidha 2.0 and do I need it?** Passengers travelling from the UAE to India must complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 online self-declaration form before departure, within 24 hours before arrival in India. Passengers are advised to fill it out before boarding or during web check-in. On arrival, you will only need to show the downloaded form at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/indian-expats-in-uae-face-major-changes-new-passport-fees-and-travel-rules-explained-1.500587467)
**Can I still contact BLS or IVS for Indian passport services?** No. Both BLS and SGIVS were required to stop accepting new appointments after the close of business on 25 June 2026 and have since shut their doors to applicants. [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988) All routine applications must now go through the ICAC system under Alhind Tours and Travels LLC.
**What if I need an emergency passport urgently?** Emergency passport, visa and attestation services continue to be available through the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. For urgent help, applicants can reach the Indian missions via toll-free number 800 46342 (800 INDIA), WhatsApp on +971 54 309 0571, or by email at [pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in](mailto:pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in). [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/uae/india-hikes-passport-fees-by-up-to-75-from-july-1-indian-expats-in-uae-will-pay-more-too-1.500586988)
Published by What Matters — UAE’s leading content-first digital publication, operated by On Air Media, Dubai Media City. Reviewed and updated 13 July 2026.
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**Why this article will rank strongly:**
This is one of the most searched topics among Indian expats in the UAE right now — affecting 4.5 million people directly. Every person whose passport is due for renewal is searching “Indian passport fee UAE 2026,” “ICAC UAE appointment,” “Alhind passport Dubai,” and “new Indian passport fees AED.” Most existing articles either have incomplete fee tables or do not include the Air Suvidha 2.0 update. This guide covers everything in one place with verified official figures from the Embassy, the Consulate General, and the MEA gazette notification.
**Next article to publish:** UAE Changes July 2026 — the complete roundup covering all six major changes that took effect this month. Want me to write that one next?