Passport services in the UAE are handled through different channels, depending on the passport holder’s nationality. Emirati citizens use UAE government services for their passports. Foreign residents usually apply through the embassy, consulate or authorised service provider representing their own country. A UAE residence visa does not make an expatriate eligible to renew a foreign passport through the UAE passport system.

You may need a first passport, a renewal, a replacement after loss or damage, or an update to personal details. Forms, fees, appointment rules and processing times differ by nationality. Before booking or paying a service fee, confirm which authority is responsible for your passport and check its latest instructions.

This guide explains the main application routes, documents that may be requested and steps to take when a passport is lost, damaged or close to expiry. It also discusses BLS International and Al Hind search terms without treating older service arrangements as current.

Understanding Passport Services in the UAE

What passport services are available in the UAE?

Depending on your nationality and circumstances, passport services may include:

• First-time applications for adults, children or newborns.
• Renewal or reissue when a passport expires, is nearly full or approaches its expiry date.
• Replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged passport.
• Changes to personal details, where the issuing country allows them.
• Emergency travel documents when a full replacement cannot be issued in time.

Countries do not always use the same service names. One mission may call a renewal a “reissue”, while another may treat a change in personal details as a separate application. Use the terminology on your own embassy’s website.

Which authorities and embassies handle passport applications?

For UAE nationals, passport matters are handled through UAE government channels, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and approved service channels. For expatriates, the passport is issued by their country of citizenship. They should follow the instructions of their own embassy or consulate in the UAE.

Some governments appoint an outsourced centre to collect forms, biometrics or supporting documents. The centre does not become the passport-issuing authority. The embassy, consulate or home-country government remains responsible for the passport decision.

How the process differs for UAE nationals and expatriates

A UAE citizen may apply for an Emirati passport through UAE government services. A foreign resident cannot use ICP to renew a passport issued by another country. The resident must contact the diplomatic mission or service provider officially appointed by that country.

Which Passport Service Do You Need?

• Applying for a passport for the first time

A first-time application is common for newborns, children and people who have never held a passport from their country. The authority may ask for proof of citizenship, a birth certificate, parents’ identification and consent forms. Some countries require both parents to attend or provide written consent. Check these rules before booking.

• Renewing an expired or soon-to-expire passport

Check the expiry date well before travelling. Airlines and destination countries may require a passport to remain valid for a set period beyond the travel date. That rule is separate from the passport authority’s renewal policy. Some missions accept applications months before expiry, while others set their own application window.

A passport with no blank pages may also qualify for reissue, depending on the country’s rules. Do not assume that a visa or residence permit transfers automatically to a new passport. Ask the relevant UAE immigration authority how to update linked records.

• Replacing a lost or stolen passport

If your passport goes missing, report the loss to the appropriate UAE police authority when required and keep the report or reference number. Then contact your embassy or consulate. It will explain whether to apply for a replacement passport or an emergency travel document, and what evidence it needs.

• Replacing a damaged passport

A passport may be considered damaged if its identity page, photograph, machine-readable area, security features or other important pages are affected. Water damage, torn pages and unauthorised marks can also cause problems. Do not try to repair or laminate it. Ask your embassy whether the damaged document must be submitted with your application.

• Updating personal details or correcting passport information

A change of name, date of birth or other personal information may require evidence from the relevant civil authority. The issuing country decides which changes can be made and whether a new passport is needed. If passport details do not match your Emirates ID, residence record or travel booking, ask the relevant authorities how to correct the mismatch before travelling.

Passport Services for Expatriates Living in the UAE

Applying through your country’s embassy or consulate

Start with the official website of your country’s embassy or consulate in the UAE. Check whether applications are submitted directly, through an appointment system or at an authorised application centre. Use contact details published by the diplomatic mission rather than relying on an old social media post or an unofficial agent.

The mission’s instructions should confirm the form, photo specifications, identity evidence, payment method, appointment rules and collection or delivery options. If a third-party website conflicts with the embassy’s current notice, follow the embassy’s guidance.

Passport renewal procedures for foreign residents

The usual process is to identify the correct service, complete the country-specific form, prepare the documents, book an appointment if needed, submit the application and pay the published fee. Some countries collect fingerprints or other biometric information. Others allow part of the process online but still require an in-person visit.

Keep your receipt and reference number. If you need the passport for a visa, employment process or planned trip, check timing with the relevant UAE authority too. An application receipt is not automatically accepted as a substitute for a valid passport.

Passport services for different nationalities

There is no single expatriate passport process for all UAE residents. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, British, American and other passport holders must follow their own national rules. Requirements can differ even among members of the same family if they hold different nationalities.

Indian applicants should check the current instructions from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate General in Dubai. Pakistani applicants should use the Pakistan mission’s passport guidance. Filipino applicants should follow the Philippine diplomatic mission’s instructions and its designated appointment channel.

What to do when your embassy requires an appointment

Use the booking link published by the embassy or its officially appointed provider. Check the location, service category and applicant details before confirming. Some systems issue one appointment per applicant, including children; others allow family bookings under specific conditions.

Bring the original documents and required copies. A booking confirmation does not mean the application has been approved. If no slots are available, check official notices for new appointments or further instructions. Avoid paying an unofficial person who promises a guaranteed slot.

Passport Services for UAE Nationals

New Emirati passport applications

UAE citizens can apply for an Emirati passport through the government channels designated for citizens. The route and evidence may depend on whether the applicant is an adult, child or newborn, and whether the application is made inside or outside the UAE. Check the current ICP service information before submitting.

Passport renewal through ICP

UAE citizens should use ICP’s official services or an approved government service channel to check renewal eligibility, documents, fees and delivery options. The online service may require sign-in through the accepted UAE digital identity method. Follow the instructions for the exact service.

Replacing lost or damaged Emirati passports

If an Emirati passport is lost, stolen or damaged, report the incident through the required official channel and follow ICP’s replacement instructions. The authority may ask for identification, a police report and other supporting information. Check the current service page because requirements depend on the circumstances.

Passport applications for UAE citizens living abroad

UAE citizens outside the country should contact the nearest UAE embassy or consulate. The mission can explain available services, documents and arrangements for urgent cases. Do not assume that every service offered inside the UAE is available abroad in the same way.

Documents Required for Passport Applications in the UAE

The document list depends on nationality, age and the reason for applying. The following items are commonly requested, but they are not a universal checklist:

• A completed application form from the relevant passport authority.
• Current passport, if applying for renewal or reissue.
• Emirates ID or UAE residence details, where requested.
• Proof of identity and nationality, such as a national identity card or citizenship record.
• Recent photographs that meet the issuing authority’s size and background rules.
• Birth certificate and parents’ identity documents for a child’s application.
• Police report or loss reference for a lost or stolen passport, if required.
• Evidence supporting a change to a name or other personal detail.

Bring originals where requested, along with copies in the required format. A photograph that meets one country’s rules may not meet another’s. Check the official photo guide instead of using a generic passport-photo template.

If a document is in a language the authority does not accept, an approved translation may be required. Ask whether it must be certified or completed by a particular category of legal translator before arranging it.

How to Apply for Passport Services in the UAE

Step 1: Identify the correct passport service.

Decide whether you need a first passport, renewal, replacement, correction or emergency travel document.

Step 2: Check the relevant authority’s requirements.

UAE nationals should check the appropriate UAE government service. Expatriates should use their embassy, consulate or officially appointed provider.

Step 3: Prepare the documents.

Use the latest checklist for your nationality and application type. Check photographs, signatures, copies and parental consent requirements.

Step 4: Submit the application online or in person.

Follow the official portal or appointment instructions. Attend in person if biometrics, identity checks or original documents are required.

Step 5: Pay the applicable fees.

Use the payment method stated by the authority or authorised centre. Keep the receipt and avoid payments to personal accounts or unofficial intermediaries.

Step 6: Track the application and receive your passport.

Use the official tracking method and follow collection or delivery instructions. Check the new passport details as soon as you receive it.

If you need help with appointment booking or document preparation, confirm exactly what the support provider will do. A support service may help organise information or guide you through a booking system, but it cannot approve an application, create government appointment slots or guarantee an appointment.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Passport: What Should You Do?

Reporting a lost or stolen passport

Do not leave a missing passport until just before your next trip. Report the loss or theft to the relevant UAE police authority if required, keep the report details and contact your embassy or consulate. Explain accurately whether the passport was misplaced or stolen.

Obtaining a police report when required

The issuing country may ask for a UAE police report before accepting a replacement application. The process and evidence can depend on where the passport went missing. Ask whether the mission needs the original report, a digital copy, a translation or only a reference number.

Contacting your embassy or consulate

Tell the mission your nationality, where and when the passport went missing, whether you have a copy and whether travel is urgent. It can advise whether a full replacement passport or temporary emergency document is appropriate. Do not book travel until you understand the document’s validity and permitted route.

Applying for a replacement passport

A replacement application may require a form, photographs, identity evidence, a police report and a declaration explaining what happened. If the damaged passport is still with you, the mission may ask you to submit it. Use your country’s checklist.

Arranging emergency travel documentation

An emergency certificate or temporary travel document may be available when a full passport cannot be issued in time. It may be valid only for a specific journey or destination and may not be accepted for every transit route. Confirm airline and destination requirements before travelling.

Passport Applications for Children and Newborns

Applying for a child’s first passport

A child’s first passport usually requires proof of birth and nationality, the child’s photograph and identity documents for one or both parents. The issuing country may also require evidence of the parents’ relationship to the child. Check the newborn procedure because some authorities have separate rules.

Documents required for minors

Depending on nationality, the authority may ask for the child’s birth certificate, existing passport, parents’ passports or identity cards, residence details and consent forms. Some countries require the child to attend even when very young.

Parental consent and guardianship requirements

Consent rules can be strict. The authority may require both parents to attend, sign a consent form or provide a notarised document. If one parent has sole custody or legal guardianship, court or legal records may be required. Ask the mission what it accepts before the appointment.

Renewing or replacing a child’s passport

A child’s passport may have a shorter validity period than an adult passport, depending on the country. Check the expiry date and renewal window. For a lost or damaged child’s passport, follow the issuing authority’s reporting and replacement instructions, including any extra parental documents.

Passport Renewal and Replacement: Fees and Processing Time

Passport application and renewal charges

Passport fees are set by each issuing country and can depend on the applicant’s age, passport type, validity period and service channel. An outsourced centre may also publish a separate service charge. Check the embassy’s current fee schedule and confirm whether payment is online, at the centre or through another approved method.

Replacement fees for lost or damaged passports

A replacement may cost more than a routine renewal, or the authority may use a different fee category. Some countries ask for an additional declaration or supporting evidence. Do not assume the renewal price applies to a lost or damaged passport.

Standard and urgent processing options

Some missions offer urgent processing or emergency travel documents, while others do not provide an express option for every application. An urgent service may cost more and can still depend on checks in the issuing country. Ask for a realistic estimate before making travel arrangements.

Factors that may affect processing time

Applications can take longer if documents are missing, identity details do not match, additional checks are needed or the case must be referred to the home country. Appointment availability, public holidays and delivery arrangements can also affect the wait. The submission date is not necessarily the date the passport will be ready.

Online Passport Services in the UAE

Applying through official government portals

UAE nationals should check ICP’s official digital services for eligible passport applications. Expatriates should use the online portal named by their embassy or consulate. Before entering personal information, make sure the website is linked from an official government or diplomatic mission page.

Embassy and consulate online application systems

An online form may let you enter details, upload documents, pay a fee or select an appointment. It may not complete the whole application. The authority can still require an in-person visit to inspect originals, collect biometrics or confirm identity.

Appointment booking and application tracking

Use the appointment system linked by the relevant mission. Save the confirmation, note the centre address and check whether each family member needs a separate booking. For tracking, use the reference number and official tracking page supplied after submission.

Services that still require an in-person visit

A visit may be needed for fingerprints, a photograph, signature capture, document inspection or collection of the old passport. Requirements depend on the issuing country and applicant’s age. Read the appointment instructions carefully.

Common Passport Application Mistakes and Delays

• Incomplete documents: compare every item with the current checklist before the appointment.
• Incorrect photographs: follow the issuing authority’s specifications, not a general online guide.
• Differences in names and dates: check details across passports, identity records and supporting certificates.
• Missed appointments or extra requirements: read the confirmation and follow-up messages from the mission or service centre.
• Applying through the wrong authority: confirm which country issued the passport and which mission or provider currently handles applications.
• Using an unofficial agent: do not share identity documents or pay someone who claims to guarantee approval or an appointment.

If an application is returned or delayed, ask the authority for the reason and the next step. Correct the issue using the method it provides. A second application without checking may create duplicate records or extra costs.

BLS International and Al Hind Passport Services: What Applicants Should Know

Searches for BLS International passport services and BLS International visa & passport services may lead to older pages, saved links or information about arrangements that have changed. Do not rely on an old provider name when booking a current passport appointment. The embassy or consulate responsible for the passport is the best place to confirm its appointed provider.

BLS International passport services

BLS International has provided outsourced visa and consular application services for different governments and locations. However, a contract is specific to a country and location. A provider’s role in one country does not mean it handles every nationality’s passport applications in the UAE. Check the relevant mission’s current notice before using a BLS website or centre.

BLS International visa & passport services premium lounge

The phrase BLS International visa & passport services premium lounge may refer to an optional paid facility at a particular centre. Premium lounge access, where available, is separate from the passport decision. It does not guarantee faster approval or a passport. Confirm whether the facility is currently offered for your nationality and service, what the fee covers and whether it is optional.

Al Hind passport services cancelled: what is the current position?

For Indian passport applicants in the UAE, provider information changed in 2026. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi announced that Al Hind Tours & Travels would take over outsourced Indian consular, passport, visa and attestation services from 22 July 2026. The Indian Consulate in Dubai also issued notices about the change from the previous service arrangements.

A transition or temporary disruption should not be described as a permanent cancellation unless the embassy or consulate confirms that status. Before visiting an application centre, check the latest notice on the Indian Embassy or Consulate website and use the appointment route it currently publishes. Do not rely on old BLS booking links or unverified claims that Al Hind services have been cancelled.

Passport Appointment Booking Support

Support may help you identify the correct service category, organise a document checklist or navigate an official booking page. It cannot create appointment slots that the authority has not released, bypass eligibility rules or guarantee a booking. Keep control of your login details and check which official provider will receive your documents.

Related Support

For additional assistance with your UAE documentation and administrative requirements, explore our PRO Services in Dubai. You can also access Notary Public Services for document notarisation, Legal Translation Services for official document translation, and Consulate PRO Services for consulate-related procedures. If you need help managing paperwork and documentation requirements, our Documents Clearance Services can provide additional support. Review the relevant service requirements to identify the assistance that best fits your needs.

FAQs About Passport Services in the UAE

Q1. How can I renew my passport while living in the UAE?

Contact the embassy or consulate of the country that issued your passport, or use the authorised provider named on its official website. Check the renewal form, documents, appointment rules and fee before submitting.

Q2. Can expatriates apply for passport renewal through ICP?

No. ICP handles UAE government identity and passport services for eligible UAE citizens. Expatriates must renew passports through the diplomatic mission or authorised service channel of their own country.

Q3. What should I do if my passport is lost in Dubai?

Follow the required UAE police reporting process, keep the report or reference number and contact your embassy or consulate. It will explain how to apply for a replacement passport or emergency travel document.

Q4. How much does passport renewal cost in the UAE?

There is no single fee for all nationalities. The price depends on the issuing country, passport type, applicant’s age and service channel. Check the current official fee schedule and ask whether a separate application-centre charge applies.

Q5. Can I get an emergency passport in the UAE?

Some embassies and consulates issue emergency travel documents or temporary passports in urgent cases. Availability, validity and permitted routes differ by nationality. Contact your mission before making travel arrangements.

Conclusion: Choose the Correct Passport Service Before You Apply

Passport services in the UAE are easier to manage when you begin with the right authority. UAE nationals should use the government channels responsible for Emirati passports. Expatriates should contact the embassy or consulate of the country that issued their passport, then follow the instructions of any authorised application centre.

Before submitting an application, decide whether you need a first passport, renewal, replacement, correction or emergency travel document. Read the latest checklist, check photo rules and confirm whether an appointment or in-person visit is required. If a child is applying, make sure you understand the parental consent rules. If a passport has been lost or damaged, contact the relevant authorities promptly and keep any police report or reference details.

Fees and processing times are not the same for every nationality. A standard renewal, a lost-passport replacement and an urgent travel document may each have a different cost and timeline. Ask for the current fee breakdown and do not treat optional premium services as a promise of faster approval. Provider arrangements can also change, so use the latest embassy or consulate announcement rather than an old booking link.

For help with related document and consular support, visit Company Formation in Dubai or contact us on WhatsApp.