Indian Expats in UAE to Receive Chip-Enabled E-Passports from October 28, 2025
UAE | October 28, 2025 In a major leap toward modernizing travel documentation, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced the rollout of chip-enabled e-passports for Indian citizens residing in the UAE, starting October 28, 2025. The initiative, part of the Government of India’s new Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP 2.0), marks a significant step forward in digital governance and global-standard travel security for millions of Indian expatriates. Under this new system, all passport-related services for Indian nationals in the UAE will transition to the freshly launched GPSP 2.0 online platform, accessible at mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login. From October 28 onward, applicants seeking passport renewals, reissues, or any related services will be required to use this upgraded portal. The embassy has made this transition mandatory to ensure uniformity and efficiency across all service centers in the Emirates. The introduction of e-passports represents a technological transformation in the way Indian passports are issued and managed. Each e-passport will contain a secure embedded microchip that digitally stores key personal data, including biometric details of the holder. This innovation aims to enhance both the security and convenience of international travel, allowing faster and more efficient processing at immigration counters worldwide. The move brings Indian travel documents in alignment with global biometric passport standards, similar to those used in many developed nations. Beyond security and travel efficiency, the new GPSP 2.0 system is designed with user convenience at its core. Applicants can now upload their ICAO-compliant photographs, signatures, and supporting documents online prior to their appointment. Embassy officials emphasize that pre-uploading these materials will significantly shorten in-person processing times at service centers, offering a smoother overall experience. To assist applicants, detailed instructions for preparing ICAO-compliant photographs have been made available on the official Embassy of India website. A notable improvement in the new system also addresses one of the most common grievances among applicants under the previous regime—the need to completely re-enter data in case of minor application errors. With GPSP 2.0, BLS service providers are authorized to make small corrections directly on their end, saving applicants considerable time and effort. Importantly, this correction facility is provided at no additional cost, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving accessibility and transparency in public services. The introduction of e-passports under GPSP 2.0 extends to all Indian nationals in the UAE, whether applying for new passports, renewals, or other passport-related updates. This upgrade not only strengthens the technological backbone of India’s consular services but also enhances the global credibility of Indian travel documents. For the extensive Indian expatriate community in the UAE—one of the largest outside India—this initiative represents a welcome step toward faster, safer, and more streamlined international travel. With this modernization, India reaffirms its commitment to integrating digital innovation with citizen-centric service delivery, ensuring that its diaspora continues to receive efficient, secure, and world-class consular support abroad. Indian Expats in UAE to Get Chip-Enabled E-Passports Starting October 28, 2025, Indian nationals in the UAE will receive upgraded chip-enabled e-passports under the new Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP 2.0). These next-generation passports feature embedded microchips storing biometric data, ensuring faster and more secure immigration clearance worldwide. Applicants can now apply through the new GPSP 2.0 portal, upload ICAO-compliant photos and documents, and even correct minor errors without resubmitting forms. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi says this initiative marks a major step in enhancing convenience, efficiency, and security for the Indian expatriate community across the UAE.
