Indians in UAE to shift to new consular service provider from July 1 as BLS loses key contract

BLS International has lost its long-held mandate to handle passport renewals, visa services, and other consular facilities for Indians in the UAE. The shift comes as a significant development for the Indian diaspora, which constitutes nearly 35 per cent of the UAE’s population, with an estimated 4.3 million residents in 2024.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has awarded the outsourced consular services contract to Alhind Tours and Travels Private Limited, which will take over operations from July 1 for an initial three-year period.

The contract spans services at both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Alhind clinched the deal by submitting the lowest financial bid-an all-inclusive Dh19 per transaction-promising a more cost-effective alternative to the current system. Other contenders in the race included VFS Global, DU Digital, and SGIVS Global.

Highlighting the affordability, Arun Radhakrishnan, Head of Operations at Alhind Group, said even value-added services would come at no extra cost. “Even if we take your photo, it is included in that charge,” he said.

The wide-ranging contract covers passport renewals, visa applications, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, Police Clearance Certificates, Surrender Certificates, Global Entry Programme verification, and various attestation services.

BLS International, which had been managing these services since 2011, recently faced a setback after being barred by India's Ministry of External Affairs from participating in Government tenders for two years, citing allegations, including court cases and complaints from applicants.

Alhind is gearing up for a large-scale rollout, with plans to operate from 16 centres across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai (including Bur Dubai), Sharjah, Ajman, and Fujairah. The company is currently in the final stages of securing leases for these locations.

While the appointment booking process is expected to remain largely unchanged, applicants can anticipate a more tech-driven experience. Alhind has indicated plans to introduce online applications and significantly enhance backend digital systems, with further details expected soon.

To support the transition, the company is undertaking a major hiring drive, recruiting between 250 and 350 personnel across various roles, including operations executives, submission officers, facilitation officers, and front-desk staff. Recruitment is already underway, with teams being mobilised from India.

Radhakrishnan acknowledged the magnitude of the transition, noting that Alhind, traditionally known for travel and ticketing services, is stepping into a new domain. “This is a very big undertaking and a major milestone for us,” he said, assuring that the company is fully committed to delivering seamless services to the Indian community. The financial bids were opened on March 30, with the final results announced on April 20 in the presence of company representatives and the Embassy's Outsourcing Committee.

The Indian community continues to play a defining role in the UAE's social and economic fabric. Of the 4.3 million Indians in the country, about 15 per cent reside in Abu Dhabi, while the majority are spread across the northern emirates, including Dubai.

Around 10 per cent of the population comprises dependent family members. Demographically, migrants from Kerala form the largest segment of the diaspora, followed by those from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Significant numbers also hail from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab-underscoring the diversity of Indias presence in the UAE.