Dubai: On October 30, 2025, the Indian missions in the UAE confirmed that Indian nationals in the UAE applying for the new ePassport don’t need to provide biometric data right now. Moreover, the authorities confirmed that the passport fees will also stay the same.

This clarification came after the missions officially launched the ePassport system in the Emirates on October 28. Top diplomats also answered common questions and concerns from the Indian community regarding the procedure for applying for the new passports.

No Extra Charges for Applicants

During a press conference at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, A. Amarnath, CDA & DCM, Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi, and Satish Kumar Sivan, CGI, Dubai, explained that the shift to the digital ePassport system will not involve extra charges for applicants.

They described the Indian ePassport in the UAE as a next-generation travel document, which can combine features of a traditional passport with smart technology. This document will include an embedded electronic chip that securely stores the personal details of the holders in digital form.

No Biometric Scanning Needed for ePassport Applicants

Although the ePassport chip can store biometric details, officials have clarified that applicants don’t need to give separate biometric data. The necessary information will be taken from the applicants’ ICAO-compliant photographs, following international travel document standards.

Amarnath explained that some biometric details of the applicants will be stored in the ePassport chip and will be taken from the submitted photograph.
He also clarified that a submitted ICAO-compliant photograph is necessary for all applicants. He said if the photo doesn’t meet the required ICAO standards, the application cannot proceed to the next stage.
No specific date has been announced for when biometric data collection will begin at BLS International, the service provider handling applications for the Indian ePassport UAE.
CGI Dubai added that its implementation will depend on when the Government of India decides to introduce this system in missions here.

Simplified Application with Global Passport Seva Portal 2.0

GPSP 2.0 has added several features to simplify and speed up the passport application process.

If applicants need renewals without any changes in personal details, they don’t need to enter their old passport reference number. In this case, they also don’t need to confirm their email.
CDA & DCM, Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi, said that all the details will automatically appear in the application process, so the entire process will take less than two minutes.
Sivan also clarified that applicants can now handle most of the process remotely. He said the application process has been made simpler, so the waiting time at BLS centres will be much shorter.
He further added that blue-collar workers and those who are not comfortable with online systems have other options to submit their applications. They can take assistance from typing centers, community organisations, the company’s HR departments, and others.
The missions also confirmed that for minor corrections, applicants now don’t need to retype their entire application forms at BLS centers. Moreover, corrections can now be made without paying any additional charge.

Old Forms Still Accepted for Regular Passports

News earlier shared by Gulf News has already clarified that diplomats have confirmed that Indian expats don’t need to apply for the new ePassport UAE until their current passport validity ends or they need to change any details in their passports.

As of October 28, all Indian passport applications, covering first-time applicants, renewals, and newborns, will be submitted through the new online portal. This means Indian expats living in the Emirates will now receive only ePassports.

Moreover, officials have confirmed that those who have previously completed application forms on the old portal and secured appointments before October 28 don’t need to refill their information. They confirmed that those applicants will still be accepted and their applications will be processed.

CDA & DCM, Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi, confirmed that those applicants will be provided a normal passport, and they will not get an Indian ePassport UAE. He further added that these applicants don’t need to refill their application forms on the new GPSP 2.0 portal.

He also explained that the applicants who have already filled out their forms on the old portal can submit them without worries, as the centers will accept these applications. However, if they want to get an ePassport, they need to reapply through the new portal.

High Volume of Passport Applications in the UAE

Diplomats highlighted that after India, the Emirates has the largest population of Indian passport holders. Based on information shared by the Indian missions. Over 4.36 million Indians are living in the country.

The Indian missions in the UAE handle one of the largest numbers of applications, as they issue around 1,600 passports every day. CGI, Dubai, said that when they introduced the new Indian ePassport system in the country, they wanted to be sure that this would not create any issues for the community.

The launch of the ePassport for Indian expats in the UAE with no extra fees and new biometric requirements is a major step, making passport services for them faster and safer.