According to official confirmation from the Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indian expatriates wishing to apply for a new ePassport will not be asked to provide biometric information at this time, and the cost of the passport will not change. The announcement came after the ePassport system was formally launched throughout the United Arab Emirates on October 28, which marked a significant digital milestone for India’s international passport services.

Senior diplomats from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai responded to the worries of the country’s sizable Indian community in the United Arab Emirates by promising a simplified, safe, and easy-to-use transition to the next-generation ePassport. They also mentioned that although the new system uses cutting-edge technology for increased security, applicants will still benefit from a simplified and free process for the time being.

What exactly is an ePassport?

The ePassport, also known as the Next-Generation Travel Document, has an embedded microchip inside the back cover that gives it the appearance of a standard passport. This chip safely keeps crucial information such as:

Name, birthdate, and passport number of the holder.
A picture of the holder in digital format.
From the ICAO-compliant photo, a few biometric markers were automatically extracted.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards were met in the design of the ePassport, which enables quicker immigration checks and enhanced protection against fraud or tampering.

No Biometric Collection For Now

One of the significant questions from the expats was whether they are required to submit fingerprints or iris scans at BLS International centers. However, according to officials, biometrics are not currently necessary.

According to A. Amarnath, the Chargé d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, “Part of the biometric information embedded in the chip will be captured from the applicant’s photograph itself.”

This implies that every applicant must send in a photo that fulfills international standards for quality, including those related to size, lighting, and facial clarity. The application won’t proceed if the photo isn’t in compliance. Although future biometric integration is supported by the system, the missions said that no rollout date has been set as of yet.

No Extra Fees: Same Cost, New Technology

The diplomats confirmed that the costs for passports would remain the same. The move to ePassports is free of any “technology surcharge,” and not a single penny has been hidden. Amarnath stated, “No extra fees are going to be charged to the applicants.”

It doesn’t matter if one is applying for a new passport or a renewal; the same service fee will be charged as previously, regardless of the new chip being embedded and the digital features being enhanced. This policy decision has made it possible for all Indian workers, professionals, and families living in the UAE to enjoy the upgrade without incurring extra costs.

How Does the New System Work?

The Indian government’s Global Passport Seva Portal 2.0 (GPSP 2.0) is now available for applicants in the UAE. This upgraded virtual platform has made the application process not only simple but also fast. Some of the key Features of GPSP 2.0

Auto-fill feature: Just input your previous passport number and confirm your email address. The system will do the rest by getting your information automatically.

Speedy Finish: Cases of renewals with no change in the data can be completed in just about two minutes.

Do-it-yourself Comfort: Most of the applicants can now complete and submit forms while relaxing at home.

Reduced Waiting Time: The BLS International centers will have less paperwork.

Simple Fixes: Small mistakes can be corrected without redoing the whole application or paying extra charges.

Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan expressed that the purpose is to make the process more convenient for the users and, at the same time, reduce the waiting time at the centers. Those who are not very comfortable with digital forms, including laborers, will continue to receive assistance at typing centers, through community organizations, or company HR departments.

Largest Indian Expat Base Gets Priority Rollout

The UAE has over 4.36 million Indians, the largest Indian population outside India. The Indian Embassy and Consulate together deal with approximately 1,600 passport applications each day, which is among the highest in the world.

“When we started rolling out the ePassport in the UAE, we wanted to make sure the system was flawless and didn’t cause any inconveniences to the community.” Consul General Sivan said.

Since the demand is so large, officials focused on stability and user experience before introducing advanced biometric features. The UAE is one of the first foreign locations to get an ePassport rollout, and is putting complete focus on its role as a worldwide center for Indian citizens.

The Bigger Picture: Step Toward Smarter Travel

The ePassport is an indication of India’s digital identity as well as security for comprehensive international travel. The new paper has made travel more secure and more convenient with the combination of technology and global compatibility.

Indian expatriates in the UAE will now have the advantage of less documentation, no waiting, and quicker service again, at no additional charge. The rollout of the ePassport is a major landmark in the journey of India going digital in its consular services, as it demonstrates that modernization can be done easily and cheaply for citizens living abroad.

Calculate Business Cost