Indian citizens living in the UAE will now be issued chip-enabled e-Passports instead of traditional ones, officials announced on Thursday. The new system was introduced during a press conference at the Consulate General of India in Dubai by Consul General Satish Sivan and A. Amarnath, Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
According to the officials, the e-Passport system took effect on October 28 and marks a major upgrade to India’s passport services abroad. However, applicants who have already booked appointments before the system’s launch can continue with the old format and will receive a regular passport. If they wish to opt for an e-Passport, they can reapply through the new online portal. This option remains voluntary for those applicants. Officials clarified that Indian expats applying under the new system will not be required to provide biometric data at this stage. The fees for passport services will also remain unchanged.
A. Amarnath described the launch as a significant reform, aligning India’s passport system with global best practices. He explained that the e-Passport serves as a next-generation travel document, equipped with an embedded electronic chip that stores a digital version of the holder’s personal data. This chip enhances security, making forgery or tampering nearly impossible.
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