Are you an Indian expat living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Good news awaits! The Consulate General of India in Dubai has rolled out significant upgrades to passport services designed to make your immigration clearance smoother and more secure.
Introducing the Passport Seva Programme (PSP 2.0), the Consulate will now issue e-passports equipped with electronic chips. A particularly welcome change is that there will be no extra charges for making minor corrections to your passport details. This initiative aims to enhance the overall passport experience for the Indian community in the UAE.
Starting Tuesday, October 28, Indian expats will need to visit the official Passport Seva Kendra website to apply for or renew their passports.
Key Passport Updates:
The new e-passports will feature embedded electronic chips, digitizing your information for a more seamless immigration process. This technological advancement is expected to reduce wait times at BLS Visa Application Centres.
Applicants are advised to upload color photographs that adhere to ICAO standards, ensuring a natural expression. Furthermore, any minor corrections needed at BLS centres will no longer require a complete resubmission of forms.
Existing passport holders and new applicants can access the updated online portal at mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login to manage their applications or apply for new passports.
How to Apply for a New Passport: A Simple Guide
For new applicants, here’s a step-by-step overview based on information from Khaleej Times:
- Visit the new portal to create an account and log in.
- Initiate a new application and complete the form.
- Submit the application and then take a printout.
- Bring the printed application form along with all necessary supporting documents to your nearest BLS centre.
These improvements are set to significantly enhance convenience and user experience for Indian expats in the UAE when it comes to passport services.