Indian passport and consular service fees in the UAE will increase from July 1, 2026, marking the first revision since 2012. The new rates, announced by the Government of India, apply to fresh, reissue, lost, and Tatkaal applications, with a 10% discount for children up to eight years.
An MEA official's statement that Indian passports aren't proof of citizenship has sparked concern amidst ongoing verification drives. The author shares a personal experience of their passport being questioned years after issuance, highlighting arbitrary citizenship challenges.
India's MEA and MHA concluded in 2010 that Indian passport holders residing abroad (NRIs) can use the RTI Act, distinguishing them from OCIs and PIOs who cannot.
India's Ministry of External Affairs will significantly increase passport application fees for normal and Tatkaal services, both domestically and abroad, starting July 1, 2026. Fees for new, reissue, and lost/damaged passports, including for minors and Police Clearance Certificates, will see hikes up to 139%.
Nineteen-year-old Tahsin Jamshid, born in Doha to parents from Kerala, will be the first Indian passport holder to play in a World Cup after being named in Qatar's squad. He holds an Indian passport and a Qatari mission passport.
India's Alhind Group will open 16 new passport and visa service centers across the UAE from July 1, 2026, overhauling services for over 4 million Indian residents. The move ends BLS International's contract and aims to make services more affordable and accessible.
