Indian citizens living in Dubai and across the UAE can renew their passport without travelling to India, through BLS International centres under the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Since 28 October 2025, all fresh and renewal applicants in the UAE receive a chip-enabled e-passport under the Global Passport Seva Programme 2.0 (GPSP 2.0), and applications now start on the new mPassport global portal.
This guide walks you through the full 2026 process, the updated fee list, document requirements by category, all BLS centres in the Emirates, and answers to the questions Indian expats in the UAE ask most often. For flights to Dubai or other UAE cities, you can compare fares on Wego once your passport is sorted.
What’s Changed in 2026: The New E-Passport System
India now issues chip-enabled e-passports to expats in the UAE. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai rolled out the GPSP 2.0 platform on 28 October 2025, and every new and renewed passport from that date carries an embedded RFID chip.
The chip stores your photograph, fingerprints and key personal details in an encrypted format that can only be read by authorised immigration systems. For travellers, that means faster e-gate clearance at major airports worldwide and stronger protection against document fraud.
What the New System Means for You
- New portal: All applications now start at mportal.passportindia.gov.in, not the old Passport Seva site.
- Same fees: The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed there is no fee increase for the e-passport.
- Existing passports stay valid: If your regular passport has not expired, you do not need to replace it. The chip version becomes mandatory only at renewal.
- ICAO-compliant photo required: The photo you submit is baked into the chip, so it must meet ICAO biometric specifications.
When You Can Renew and Who Is Eligible
Indian passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors (or up to the child’s 18th birthday, whichever comes first). You can apply to renew up to one year before expiry or within three years after expiry under the standard renewal process.
Most Schengen countries, the UK and several other destinations require at least six months of passport validity on the date of entry. If your passport has under a year left, start the renewal now to avoid visa refusals and blocked travel.
Cases Handled Under Renewal or Re-issue
- Normal renewal due to expiry or nearing expiry
- Lost passport – reissued after Police FIR and Embassy approval
- Damaged passport – reissued with damage declaration
- Change of personal particulars – name change after marriage or divorce, spouse name addition or deletion, signature change
- Exhausted pages or change of address
- Renewal for minors whose 5-year passport has expired or who have aged out of the child booklet
Each case needs extra supporting documents on top of the standard renewal checklist. The official document list sits on the Consulate General of India, Dubai and Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi pages.
How to Renew Your Indian Passport in Dubai and the UAE
The process has two parts: an online application on the GPSP 2.0 portal, followed by a document submission appointment at any BLS International centre in the UAE. BLS is the outsourced service provider approved by the Indian missions, and fees are paid at the centre during the appointment.
Step-by-Step Process
- Register on the mPassport portal: Go to mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp, select your country as UAE, and create your login credentials.
- Fill the online application: Log in, choose “Reissue of Passport”, and complete the form with details exactly as they appear in your current passport. Select 36-page or 60-page booklet and Normal or Tatkal service.
- Print and upload supporting documents: Print the application, sign it, and keep originals plus photocopies of every required document ready.
- Book a BLS appointment: Schedule a slot on the BLS UAE appointment portal at your nearest centre.
- Visit the BLS centre: Submit originals and copies, pay the fee in AED, and give biometrics if required. Your current passport is retained until the new one is issued.
- Track and collect: Use the BLS tracking tool to follow your application, then collect the e-passport from the same centre or choose paid courier delivery.
Standard Documents for Adult Renewal
- Original current passport plus clear photocopies of the first page, last page and the UAE residence visa page
- Copy of your Emirates ID (both sides)
- Two recent ICAO-compliant colour photographs (white background, 51 x 51 mm)
- Printed and signed online application form
- Annexure or Sworn Affidavit if the passport has been expired for more than six months
- Additional documents if you are changing name, address, adding spouse name, or reporting lost/damaged passports (marriage certificate, divorce decree, FIR, request letter, etc.)
Indian Passport Renewal Fees in UAE (2026)
Fees are set by the Indian missions and paid in AED at the BLS centre. The figures below come directly from the Consulate General of India, Dubai prescribed fee schedule. The total is the service fee plus an ICWF charge of AED 8.05 and a BLS fee of AED 9.45.
| Service Type | Adult 36 Pages | Adult 60 Pages | Minor 36 Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary passport (Normal) | AED 285 | AED 380 | AED 190 |
| Tatkaal (urgent) | AED 855 | AED 950 | AED 760 |
| In lieu of lost/damaged (Normal) | AED 570 | AED 665 | AED 570 |
| In lieu of lost/damaged (Tatkaal) | AED 1,140 | AED 1,235 | AED 1,140 |
All fees include the AED 8.05 ICWF charge and the AED 9.45 BLS service fee on top of the base passport fee. For example, a normal adult 36-page renewal costs AED 302.50 total (285 + 8.05 + 9.45).
Optional extras such as SMS alerts, courier delivery, photocopy and photograph services at BLS counters are not mandatory. The Premium Lounge service costs an additional AED 236.25 including VAT and offers a better waiting experience, but it does not fast-track issuance. Only Tatkaal reduces processing time.
Processing Time and Tatkaal Service
Under normal service, renewed passports are typically issued within five to seven working days from the date of submission at the BLS centre, subject to document verification by the Embassy or Consulate. Tatkaal applications are processed in roughly two working days once all documents are in order.
Police verification is not usually required for renewals in the UAE, but the Consulate can request it in cases involving lost passports, significant detail changes, or pending court matters. If that happens, processing may take longer and you will be contacted through the BLS tracking tool.
Visa Transfer to the New Passport
Your UAE residence visa does not automatically move to the new passport. You will need to complete a separate visa transfer through the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) or via your sponsor’s typing centre. Carry both the old and new passports until the visa has been re-stamped or transferred in the system.
BLS Centres for Indian Passport Services in the UAE
Appointments are available at BLS centres across all seven emirates. Booking a slot online in advance is mandatory under the GPSP 2.0 workflow. You can book, cancel or reprint appointments on the BLS UAE appointment portal.
| Emirate | Centre | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | BLS Al Khaleej Centre, Bur Dubai | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Dubai | BLS Deira, near Deira City Centre | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Dubai | BLS KMCC, Baniyas Square | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Abu Dhabi | BLS Al Reem Island, Wafra Square Building | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Abu Dhabi | BLS Musaffah, Cubes Park | 7 AM – 4 PM |
| Al Ain | India Social Centre, Khabisi | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Sharjah | BLS Sharjah, King Faisal Street | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Sharjah | Indian Association, Al Manakh | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Ajman | Indian Association, Al Jurf | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | BLS RAK, Dahan Road | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Indian Relief Committee, Nakheel | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Umm Al Quwain | BLS UAQ, King Faizal Road | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Fujairah | Indian Social Club, Al Fazil Road | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Khorfakkan | Indian Social Club, Kabba | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Kalba | Indian Social and Cultural Club | 9 AM – 6 PM |
Full addresses and Google Maps links are listed on the official CGI Dubai BLS centres page. Most centres observe a one-hour lunch break and remain closed on UAE public holidays and select Indian national holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get an e-passport now, or can I keep my old one?
Existing passports stay valid until their expiry date. You only move to the chip-enabled e-passport at renewal. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that forced replacement is not required.
How early can I apply for a passport renewal in the UAE?
You can apply up to one year before your current passport expires. If you travel frequently or hold visas valid for several more years, renewing early is recommended so you stay above the six-month validity rule most countries enforce.
Will my UAE residence visa transfer automatically to the new passport?
No. You or your sponsor must request a visa transfer through the UAE ICP or a typing centre. Keep both passports with you until the transfer is completed.
Can I renew my Indian passport by post or fully online from the UAE?
The online application is started on the GPSP 2.0 portal, but personal document submission at a BLS centre is mandatory. Full postal or end-to-end online renewal is not offered for UAE-based applicants.
What should I do if my passport is lost in the UAE?
File a police report at the nearest station, get an English-translated copy of the FIR, and submit a reissue application with Annexure F and a request letter. Fees are higher for lost or damaged passport replacements, and prior Embassy approval may be required.
Sources
- Consulate General of India, Dubai – Prescribed Passport Fees
- Consulate General of India, Dubai – Renewal of Passports
- Consulate General of India, Dubai – Location of BLS Centres
- Consulate General of India, Dubai – Notice on Launch of GPSP 2.0 Portal
- Passport Seva GPSP 2.0 mPassport Portal
- BLS International – India Passport Application Centre UAE
- BLS International – Indian Passport Service Fees
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
