UAE Expat Passport Renewal & Embassy Directory
Current guidance for foreign residents renewing home-country passports in the UAE, followed by the separate UAE immigration process for updating residence records after the passport changes.
Passport renewal is handled by your own country’s diplomatic mission or designated provider. ICP/GDRFA handles the UAE residence-record side.
Important: passport renewal and UAE residence updating are two different processes
Your embassy/consulate issues or renews the foreign passport. After that, the UAE immigration authority may require an update to the residence record. A new passport does not itself mean you need a new residence visa; the correct UAE action is to use the applicable data-amendment service.
Select your passport nationality
The directory currently covers India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Each country controls its own passport rules, so information must be verified from that country's current UAE mission.
Indian Passport Renewal — UAE
| Current outsourced provider from 1 July 2026 | Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC — designated Indian Consular Application Centres |
| Processing time | No single current universal processing time published here |
| General process | Follow the current Indian Embassy / Consulate passport instructions, complete the required online application, use the designated Al Hind centre applicable to your location, submit the required original documents and complete appointment/biometric requirements where applicable. |
| Official authority | Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi / Consulate General of India, Dubai |
India: July 2026 provider change
BLS is no longer the current provider for new applications
The Embassy of India announced that BLS International and SGIVS Global would continue only until 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC became the new outsourced service provider for Indian passport, visa and consular applications in the UAE.
| Period | Provider position |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 June 2026 | BLS International / SGIVS Global continued the previous outsourced arrangements. |
| From 1 July 2026 | Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC — new outsourced provider. |
After receiving the new passport: UAE immigration record update
Passport renewal by your home-country authority does not automatically update the passport number stored in the UAE residence record. The UAE provides separate data-amendment services.
| Authority | Who uses it | Current service | Published fee information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICP | Federal immigration jurisdictions within ICP’s scope | Amendment of Residency Permit Data | Current ICP service lists AED 150 for the Emirates ID replacement/update component plus AED 100 smart-services fees; exact transaction depends on what data is amended. |
| GDRFA Dubai | Dubai residence and visa records | Amendment of all types of residence permit data | Current GDRFA page lists AED 100 urgent-service fee + AED 10 innovation fee, with AED 100 printing applicable when submitted through the stated courier route. |
UAE immigration update checklist
- Renew the foreign passport through your embassy, consulate or authorised provider.
- Keep the new passport and the old passport where your national authority requires retention/presentation.
- Identify whether your UAE residence record is under ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
- Use the relevant passport/residence-data amendment service.
- Upload the new passport and any other required document.
- Keep the approval/updated electronic record for future immigration, travel and Emirates ID transactions.
International Money Transfer & FX Rates
Sending funds for tuition, rent, or immigration fees? Retail banks sneak 2.5%–4% into exchange rates. Check today's real mid-market rate first.
Do you need a new residence visa?
Normally, a passport renewal is not the same thing as changing or renewing the UAE residence itself. The immigration authority provides data-amendment services specifically for residence records.
Passport expiry planning
| Timing | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| 6+ months before expiry | Ideal planning point for checking passport-renewal rules, appointment availability and international travel plans. |
| 3–6 months | Start the renewal process where your nationality allows it, especially if you have planned travel. |
| Less than 1 month | Do not assume ordinary service will be completed before your travel. Check urgent/emergency options with your mission. |
| Passport already expired | Contact the diplomatic mission immediately and ask about renewal, replacement or an emergency travel document. |
Can you travel while your passport is being renewed?
In ordinary circumstances, international travel requires possession of a valid passport or another accepted travel document. If your only passport is physically submitted for renewal, you may therefore be unable to make normal international travel arrangements until it is returned.
| Situation | Practical treatment |
|---|---|
| Original passport with embassy/provider | Normal international travel may not be possible because you do not have your valid travel document. |
| Emergency travel required | Ask your embassy/consulate whether an emergency travel document or temporary travel document is available. |
| Passport returned | Confirm the new passport details are correctly recorded in the UAE immigration system before future travel where an update is required. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Indian passport services
Pakistan & Philippines resources
UAE immigration authorities
The July 2026 Indian outsourced-provider change, current Pakistani passport-renewal options and current ICP/GDRFA residence-data amendment services were checked against current official sources.
Passport fees, appointment availability, processing times and required documents are nationality- and case-specific. Always use the relevant diplomatic mission's current instructions before applying.