India Allows Temporary Passport Renewal Outsourcing in UAE

The Supreme Court of India authorized Indian missions in the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, and Canberra to temporarily re-engage service providers for passport and visa services. This decision follows a Delhi High Court ruling that invalidated a previous outsourcing tender process. The court permitted a temporary arrangement to avoid disrupting consular services for Indian expatriates, allowing the Ministry of External Affairs to utilize existing contractors like Alhind Tours and Travels if their performance is satisfactory.

Alhind Tours and Travels, previously selected as the lowest bidder, has already prepared 16 application centers across the UAE to provide consular services. The Indian missions had begun handling these services directly for the first time in 17 years while the legal dispute played out, operating an appointment-only system.

The Supreme Court’s decision is an interim measure until a new tender process is completed, and it clarifies that this arrangement won’t give any company an unfair advantage.