If you are an Indian expat in the UAE planning to renew a passport, register a newborn or get documents attested, check your centre before you leave home. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has trimmed its network of outsourced service centres. From 22 October 2026, four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) have stopped working, and applications now go through 12 centres across the Emirates.
Here is the updated list, what changed, and how to book, based on the Embassy's own notices and UAE news reports.
What Changed on 22 October 2026
On 21 October the Embassy announced that four ICACs would stop operating from the next day. The closed centres are:
- Musaffah, Abu Dhabi (Capital Mall, Mohammed Bin Zayed City)
- Al Reem, Abu Dhabi (Wafra Square Offices, Al Reem Island)
- Dubai Investment Park I, Dubai (Bayan, Green Community Village)
- Al Majaz, Sharjah (Bell Rashid Towers, Corniche Street)
Passport, visa and attestation services continue at the remaining 12 centres, still run by the Embassy's outsourcing partner, Al Hind Tours & Travels. Passport and attestation applications are not accepted at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai, so the ICACs remain the place to apply.
The 12 ICAC Centres Still Open
These are the centres listed for passport, visa and attestation services from 22 October 2026:
Abu Dhabi emirate
- Al Danah, Abu Dhabi: Al Ghaith Tower, 1205 Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Zone 1
- Al Ain: Building 14, Abdullah Bin Dhahir Al Muhairi Street, Al Khibeesi
- Madinat Zayed (Al Dhafra): Building 55, Bada Zayed
- Ghayathi (Al Dhafra): Office G15-16, Ghayathi Mall
Dubai
- Bur Dubai: UW Mall, Al Mankhool, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road
Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
- Sharjah: Indian Association Building, Al Estiqlal Street, Al Manakh
- Ajman: Indian Association Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road, Al Jerf Industrial 3
- Umm Al Quwain: Indian Association, Al Neefah, Al Ramlah 2
- Ras Al Khaimah: Indian Relief Committee, Al Mamourah Road
- Fujairah: Indian Social Club, Al Faseel
- Kalba: Indian Social & Cultural Club, Al Taraif 5
- Khor Fakkan: Room 203, Zarouni Building, Sheikh Khalid Road
Dubai residents should note that Bur Dubai is now the only ICAC in Dubai, so slots there may fill quickly. Sharjah and Ajman are the nearest alternatives for many people in the northern parts of Dubai.
How to Book and Apply
According to the Embassy's July 2026 notice, which set up the current network:
- Book online at consularsevainuae.com. New appointment slots are released twice a day, at 9 AM and 9 PM.
- Choose an open centre. If you booked earlier at Musaffah, Al Reem, DIP or Al Majaz, check your booking and move it to one of the 12 open centres.
- Arrive on time. Centres work from 8 AM to 6 PM, and you are let in only about 15 minutes before your slot.
- Pay the fees. You pay the Government of India fee (revised from 1 July 2026; the full fee table is on the booking portal) plus a service charge of AED 19 including VAT. That charge covers form filling, photos, typing, printouts and domestic courier.
Walk-in exceptions: Tatkal passports, newborn cases, Emergency Certificates and senior citizens aged 60 and above can be served without an appointment at any ICAC, first come, first served.
Why the Network Keeps Changing
The present setup is a stop-gap. Al Hind took over Indian consular outsourcing in the UAE on 22 July 2026 with 16 centres. After a court challenge over the original tender, the Supreme Court of India let Al Hind keep serving applicants while the Embassy runs a fresh tender. Khaleej Times reported that the new tender closes on 26 October 2026 and asks for 15 ICACs across the UAE. So the operator, and possibly some locations, could change again in the coming months.
Our tip: always check the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai websites or social media pages before you travel to a centre. Keep a copy of your booking confirmation and carry your original passport, Emirates ID and supporting documents.
Final Word
For most people little has changed: book online, pick a centre, and walk in with your documents. The main thing is not to turn up at Musaffah, Al Reem, Dubai Investment Park or Al Majaz, which closed on 22 October 2026. Bur Dubai is now the only ICAC in Dubai, so book early or consider Sharjah or Ajman. Planning a visit for family as well? See our guide to Dubai visit visa requirements.
This post is for general information. Fees, centres and rules can change at short notice, so confirm the details with the Indian Embassy or Consulate before you apply.
Sources
- Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi: Outsourcing of Indian consular, passport, visa and attestation services in UAE (press release, 21 July 2026)
- Gulf News: Embassy closes 4 centres, keeps 12 open (21 October 2026)
- Emirates 24|7: Four Indian consular service centres in UAE close from today (22 October 2026)
- Khaleej Times: Indian embassy in UAE opens fresh bids for passport services (28 September 2026)