From October 28, UAE Indian expats can apply for chip-embedded e-passports via GPSP 2.0/Representative Image
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced the rollout of a new digital passport system for Indian citizens in the UAE. Starting from 28 October 2025, all applicants will receive chip-embedded e-passports under the upgraded Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP 2.0) — a step designed to make passport services faster, safer and globally compliant.
What’s new: GPSP 2.0 and the move to e-passports
The GPSP 2.0 rollout is part of the Indian government’s effort to modernise passport services for citizens abroad. Starting 28 October 2025, all Indian passport applications in the UAE — including new passports, renewals, and other related services — must be submitted through the upgraded online portal:https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/LoginAt the centre of this upgrade is the introduction of e-passports, each embedded with a secure microchip that stores digitised personal data of the passport holder. The embedded chip conforms to international biometric passport standards, designed to ensure smoother and faster immigration clearance across global checkpoints.This digital enhancement brings Indian passports in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s benchmarks for biometric and machine-readable travel documents. The same ICAO standards also now apply to passport photographs — a requirement that has been in force for Indian expats in the UAE since 1 September 2025.
How to apply: Step-by-step guide for applicants
The Indian missions in the UAE have outlined a detailed process for applying under the new system:
- Register on the portal – Visit the official GPSP 2.0 website and click on the “Register” link to create an account.
https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login - Log in and create your application – Use your registered credentials to access your profile. From the Applicant Home Page, select the relevant service and generate a new passport application.
- Submit and print the form – After completing the online submission, take a printout of the submitted application form.
- Book an appointment – Schedule a visit to one of the authorised centres of BLS International, the official outsourced service provider for Indian passport and visa services.
Appointment booking portal:
https://indiavisa.blsinternational.com/uae/appointment/bls_appmnt/login - Visit the BLS centre – Attend your appointment at the designated BLS International centre, carrying the printed form and all required supporting documents.
New features and benefits for applicants
The upgraded system offers several user-friendly improvements intended to make the passport process faster and more efficient:
- Pre-upload of documents: Applicants can upload their ICAO-compliant photograph, signature, and supporting documents directly to the GPSP 2.0 portal before their appointment.
This feature helps cut down waiting times at BLS service centres, as much of the verification work is completed in advance. - Photo compliance guidelines: To avoid delays or rejections, applicants are advised to review the ICAO-compliant photo instructions provided on the Embassy’s and Consulate’s official websites before uploading.
- Simplified correction process: Under the previous system, even small errors in application forms required complete retyping and resubmission. The new GPSP 2.0 platform eliminates this hassle.
BLS International now has the ability to make minor corrections to already filled or submitted applications at no additional charge, saving applicants both time and effort.
Why the upgrade matters
For the large Indian expatriate community in the UAE — one of the biggest overseas Indian populations in the world — this transition to e-passports represents a major step forward in security, efficiency, and global mobility. The embedded-chip passports align India’s travel documents with international standards, improving authentication and reducing risks of tampering or duplication.By digitising more stages of the application process, GPSP 2.0 not only reduces paperwork and waiting time but also ensures a more secure and transparent experience for applicants. For Indian missions in the UAE, it simplifies backend operations and ensures data consistency across systems.As the new system takes effect from 28 October 2025, both the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have urged applicants to familiarise themselves with the updated procedures and to transition smoothly to the GPSP 2.0 platform.