Dh19 unified fee for Indian passport services in UAE as Alhind replaces BLS
There will be some significant changes for Indian expats in the UAE regarding passport renewals and consular services in the coming weeks. Alhind Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd was given a large outsourcing contract for consular services from the India Embassy. I am coveringnews,he said Thefirm will implement across the board total fee structure onlyDh19above what is prescribed as embassy charges Mohammed Haris T, Chairman of Alhind Group of companies.
These consular services had been under the supervision of India-headquartered BLS International for the last several years. The firm was barred from bidding for new Indian Mission contracts for two years in October last year - a decision later revoked by a Delhi court.
Here is everything Indian expats should know about what to expect over the next few weeks.
What has changed?
Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd will be issuing passport renewals and other consular needs. Most of the procedures will stay the same, but the providers, website and offices will change. Haris said: "The process for applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one will remain the same as it did before. All those seeking to reserve any consular services will be able to do so on a free standing site.
Where the offices will be based?
National company offices are to be set up in 16 locations within the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kalba and Khor Fakkan and Fujairah.
Will the service charges increase?
No. Haris said that service charges will be standardized and is expected to be lower than the current. We will only charge an additional minimal fee of Dh19 on the total amount that includes the service charges from embassies, he said. “This will be a one-stop shop which will have all the services from photography to photocopying. We are trying to bring down the cost as much as possible."
What services does the contract cover?
What is important to note, however, is that their agreement includes a full suite of consular support services such as passport renewals and the processing of visas, OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards, Police Clearance Certificates (PCC), Surrender Certificates, Global Entry Programme (GEP) verification and other attestation services.
When are the changes happening?
Haris said that while no specific date had been given, he hoped Alhind would be in a position to assume operations from July 1. "We are in the final stage of finishing our offices and we hope to do everything by July 1," he said. "All the ins and outs of residents will be provided prior to deployment."
About Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd:
Alhind has been established from the Alhind group of companies, which is into IT software, luxury rentals and international money changes among other things. Alhind has 16 authorised outsourcing collection centres throughout India for attestation and Apostille services since 2019. Haris added, "we are one of four companies which are authorized to do this in India." "Well, we have a lot of experience with the documentations and obviously there is a process for doing that."
The company originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala in 1992 and obtained a no-objection certificate to launch its own domestic airline in India last year.
Alhind recently announced a unified service fee of Dh19 for all Indian passport services in the UAE, to provide services faster and with ease.
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