UAE Indian missions start accepting online visa applications

Indian missions will stop accepting physical application forms from January 1 next year

PTI | October 19, 2011



Indian missions in the UAE on Tuesday started accepting online visa applications making life easier for many who visit India frequently from the Emirates, a top diplomat has said.

The Indian missions will stop accepting physical application forms from January 1 next year, India's ambassador to the UAE M K Lokesh announced here yesterday.

Lokesh said the Government of India has taken a decision to make it mandatory for all applicants to apply for Indian tourist visa online.

"This system of online application is being rolled out in a phased manner in all Indian embassies and consulates around the world. It will be introduced on a voluntary basis in the UAE with effect from October 18, 2011," he said.

"It will be mandatory from January 1, 2012. During the transition period, the applicants can continue the use the current visa forms if they choose to do so," the ambassador added.

He also said that applicants will have an option to either submit the application online or approach BLS International, an outsourced company, to submit visa application for a nominal fee.

Lokesh clarified that even though online application for visa processing is outsourced, the processing of a visa application will take minimum three days.

Indian Consul General in Dubai, Sanjay Verma, also addressed the media on the occasion.

Missions in the UAE issue between 80,000 to 100,000 visas to tourists and business visitors from the country to India and the number of visitors are increasing.

BLS said it will offer appointment scheduling facility through its website and dedicated phone lines.
 

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter