A complete guide to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is crucial in maintaining international relations between the two countries. It is a central hub for diplomacy, citizen support, cultural exchange, economic ties and national security intelligence. Read our guide to learn more about the embassy’s services.
About the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is the official representative of the Indian government in the UAE. It serves a multifaceted role for Indian citizens in the UAE, including providing essential consular services like passport issuance, visa applications and legal assistance.
Additionally, it acts as a central hub for the Indian community, offering support, organising events and fostering cultural exchange. Furthermore, the embassy promotes economic ties between India and the UAE, facilitating trade and investment opportunities. Furthermore, it gathers vital political and economic intelligence on the UAE for the Indian government.
It’s important to note that the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi also oversees the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Consular Services Offered Embassy of India Abu Dhabi
Indian Passport Services
While the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi oversees Indian passport services for Indian citizens residing in Abu Dhabi, the actual processing is handled by an outsourced agency. This agency receives applications and payments for passport services on behalf of the Embassy.
As an Indian citizen, you can avail the following passport services:
- Issuing of passport
- Renewal of passport
- Diplomatic/Official passport
- Emergency Certificate (EC)
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Surrender (Renunciation) Certificate
- Registration of birth and issuing a passport to the newborn child
- Miscellaneous services (change of name or address on the passport, etc.)
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OIC)
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program grants special privileges in India to foreign nationals with ancestral connections.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a link to India through one of these categories:
- Individuals eligible for Indian citizenship on January 26th, 1950, or who held Indian citizenship at any point afterwards.
- Those who belong to territories that became part of India after August 15th, 1947.
- Children and grandchildren of the above categories (with an important exception: minor children under 18 cannot apply individually and must be included on a parent’s application).
It’s crucial to note that two additional restrictions apply: your current country of citizenship must allow dual citizenship, and you shouldn’t have held Pakistan or Bangladesh citizenship at any point in your life.
Documents Required
Applicants are required to fill out an online application through the website, and a hard copy in duplicate is required to be submitted to the Embassy along with copies of the following documents:
- Proof of present citizenship – a copy of passport/citizenship certificate
- Evidence of self or parents or grandparents.
- Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, of their Indian origin, if claimed as basis for grant of OCI.
- Four copies of the applicant’s latest passport-size photograph.
- If you are a PIO Card holder, you should submit a copy of your PIO card.
- All the documents enclosed with the application should be self-attested.
- This completed form should be submitted in duplicate (both sets must have the original photograph, signature and enclosures). The applicant will have to submit his/her application in person at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi (if he/she has resided in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain for the past year) and sign a declaration in the presence of the Consular Officer in the Mission.
- If you are in India, then submit the form to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO), Chennai or Under Secretary, OCI Cell, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Fees for OIC
- Registration fee of OCI: AED 1,020
- Registration fee of OCI for PIO Card holders: AED 100
- Transfer of universal visa (from the old passport to the new one): AED 20
- Duplicate certificate of OCI (if the OCI card is lost/damaged): AED 100
The service fee, as prescribed in the Citizenship Rules 2009 for renunciation of Indian citizenship, is AED 570.
Please note that it takes 30 days max to process the OIC application. Also, the registration certificate will be valid for life unless renounced or cancelled.
Attestation Services
The Embassy of India Abu Dhabi and the consulate offer document attestation services for Indian citizens. This includes academic certificates, diplomas, marriage and birth certificates issued in India, powers of attorney, etc.
All documents require verification by a Consular Officer. To get your documents attested, bring the originals with photocopies and your passport (original and photocopy). You will have to sign the documents in front of the officer. The attestation process is typically completed on the same day.
The UAE requires attestation of Indian educational certificates for visa applications. There are two options:
- Attestation by Indian Authorities: Get your certificates attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate in the UAE, followed by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Attestation by UAE Embassy in India: Get your certificates attested by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai, followed by the Consular Section of the Ministry of External Affairs in India.
Other consular services offered by the Indian Embassy UAE Abu Dhabi include:
- Registration of Marriage
- Registration of Death
- Indian Citizenship
- Public Advisory
Other Services by the Embassy of India Abu Dhabi
Visa Services
The Indian government offers visas to foreign nationals for tourism, medical treatment, business, conferences and studies. Here’s a breakdown of the application methods:
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Issued directly at designated Indian airports upon arrival.
- Electronic Visa (e-Visa): Obtained online through the Indian government’s e-visa portal.
- Regular Paper Visa: Requires application at the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Types of visas issued by the Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi include:
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Transit Visa
- Medical Visa / Medical Attendant Visa
- Entry Visa
- Student Visa
- Employment Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Conference Visa
- Missionary Visa
- Visit Visa (to Pakistani nationals and of Pakistan-origin foreign nationals)
- Film Visa
- Mountaineering Visa
Here are the general guidelines for applying for an Indian visa:
- Application to be filled out online at the Indian Visa Online website.
- Two recent photographs of size 51 mm x 51 mm with white background (Paste one photo on the earmarked space of the application and staple another on the application form)
- Applicants must fill in their details as exactly available on their passports. Incorrect information would lead to rejection of the application.
- The passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
- The passport must have at least two blank pages and should not be mutilated/ damaged/ tampered.
- Visa applications of Pakistani nationals and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin will be processed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, which may take a minimum of 60 days.
- The validity of all visas is counted from the date when the visa is issued and not from the date of entry into India.
- The visa processing fee, once deposited, shall not be refunded.
- No bookings or travel arrangements should be confirmed until a visa decision has been made. The embassy will not be responsible for any loss of bookings made in anticipation of obtaining a visa.
- All applicants applying for five-year visas must be present at the visa application centre for biometrics when submitting the visa application.
Education Services
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi offers educational assistance to its nationals living in the UAE who want to pursue higher education in their home country. The website lists various educational websites and fees charged by universities and colleges in India.
You can also avail of educational certificate attestation services from the embassy.
Community Affair
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides a network of support for Indian citizens living in the UAE, including various community affairs services.
On the welfare and support side, the embassy offers assistance with employment issues, repatriation for workers (including female domestic workers) facing difficulties and even helps locate missing individuals. It also works with local authorities in case of legal troubles or emergencies.
To connect with the community and address their concerns, the embassy organises outreach programs in areas with high Indian worker populations. These programs might include workshops to educate citizens about their rights and available resources.
Moreover, the embassy plays a role in cultural promotion. It organises events and celebrations to preserve and share Indian culture in the UAE and even facilitates connections with local Indian cultural organisations.
Location and Contact Details
Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi location is Plot No. 10, sector W-59/02, Diplomatic Area, off the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street (earlier known as Airport Road), P. O. Box 4090, Abu Dhabi.
Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi timings and contact details are:
- Office hours (Monday to Friday): 08:30 am to 05:00 pm
- Telephone number: +971-2-449-2700
- Fax number: +971-2-444-4685
Head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page on the official website for more contact information, such as email addresses of different representative figures.
FAQs About the Indian Embassy in UAE Abu Dhabi
Can I get a new passport or renew my existing one at the embassy?
Yes, you can apply for a new passport or Indian passport renewal in Abu Dhabi by visiting the Indian Embassy in the capital city or the consulate in Dubai. However, support services are often handled through a partnered agency. The embassy website has details on the application process.
You can also use the Passport Seva service by the Indian Embassy in the capital. This online service has made it easier for expats from the country to renew their passports.
Do I need a visa to visit India? And what types of visas does the embassy offer?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. The Indian government offers various visas, including visa on arrival, e-Visa and regular paper visa applied for at the embassy/consulate.
Does the embassy offer any help for Indian citizens living in the UAE?
Yes, the embassy and the consulate provide various community affairs services. This includes assistance with workers’ rights, repatriation, legal issues, emergencies and outreach programs.
Where do Indian expats live in Abu Dhabi?
According to Bayut, popular residential areas for Indian expats in Abu Dhabi include Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Al Muroor, Al Mushrif and Al Reef.
With this, we reach the end of our guide to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. If you have recently moved to the city and are looking for educational institutes for your children, here is the list of top Indian schools in Abu Dhabi.
Those who want to explore the Indian food scene in the capital city can look at the list of best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi curated by Bayut.
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