The Indian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has discontinued operations at four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs), reducing the number of centres across the country from 16 to 12. The closures took effect on October 22, 2026, and affect services related to Indian passports, visas, consular applications and document attestation.
The embassy cited administrative reasons for the decision. However, services continue at the remaining 12 centres, which are operated under an outsourced arrangement with Alhind Tours & Travels. The closures do not mean that Indian consular services have been suspended across the UAE.
Four Indian Application Centres Shut
The four centres that have stopped accepting applications are located in:
- Musaffah, Abu Dhabi: Capital Mall, Mohammed Bin Zayed City.
- Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi: Wafra Square Offices.
- Dubai Investment Park-I, Dubai: Bayan, Green Community Village.
- Al Majaz, Sharjah: Bell Rashid Towers.
Applicants who previously visited these centres for passport renewals, visa-related services or document attestation must now use one of the remaining operational centres.
The embassy has not provided further details about the administrative reasons behind the closures.
Passport Collection Still Available at Three Locations
In a separate advisory, Alhind Tours & Travels clarified that passport collection facilities would remain available at three of the closed centres: Musaffah, Dubai Investment Park-I and Al Majaz.
However, these locations will no longer accept application submissions.
Applicants whose passports were processed through the Al Reem centre must collect them from the Al Danah centre in Abu Dhabi. Those who selected courier delivery can receive their passports through the designated courier service.
The revised arrangements are particularly important for applicants who had already completed the application process and were waiting to collect their passports.
Where Can Indians Access Consular Services?
The remaining 12 centres continue to provide consular, passport, visa and document attestation services across the UAE.
The operational locations include Al Danah, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Bur Dubai, the Indian Association centre in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.
According to Khaleej Times, the centres generally operate from 8 am to 6 pm, and applicants are permitted to enter only 15 minutes before their scheduled appointments.
Tatkaal passport applications, applications for newborns, Emergency Certificates and cases involving senior citizens aged 60 and above have also been listed among the categories accepted on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants should confirm current arrangements before travelling to a centre.
Fewer Centres Could Mean Longer Waits
The reduction in the number of centres may create additional pressure on the remaining facilities, particularly in Dubai and Sharjah, where large numbers of Indian expatriates live.
Gulf News reported that the closures could increase visitor numbers and affect appointment availability. Some applicants were also reportedly turned away after arriving at the Dubai Investment Park centre to submit applications.
Applicants are therefore advised to check appointment availability and passport collection instructions before visiting.