Alhind UAE consular services contract begins July 2026, taking over visa and passport processing across 16 centres.
ABU DHABI: Alhind UAE consular services contract has been awarded to Alhind Tours and Travels, which will take over outsourced services for the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai from 1 July 2026.
The three-year agreement covers a wide range of services, including passport renewals, visa processing, Overseas Citizen of India cards, police clearance certificates and document attestation. Alhind secured the contract with the lowest financial bid of Dh19 per transaction.
Under the Alhind UAE consular services contract, operations will be delivered through 16 centres planned across the UAE. The company is currently finalising leases and recruiting between 250 and 350 employees, including submission officers and operations staff, to manage service delivery efficiently.
Mohammed Haris T, founder and chairman of the Kerala-based Alhind Group of Companies, is a veteran of the travel industry who established the business in 1992. Based in Calicut, he has expanded the group into a global network of more than 130 branches, positioning it as a major player in travel and tourism services.
The transition marks a major shift in consular outsourcing in the UAE. BLS International, which had managed these services since 2011 for an estimated 4.3 million Indian residents, will no longer continue in the role. The company lost the contract after being debarred from new government tenders by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Officials expect the Alhind UAE consular services contract to streamline processes and improve accessibility for the large Indian community in the UAE. The expanded network of centres is aimed at reducing waiting times and enhancing service efficiency.
Industry observers say the move reflects a broader effort to optimise consular services through competitive bidding and improved operational models, ensuring faster and more reliable service delivery for applicants.
