No restrictions on Indian passport renewal applications in Abu Dhabi from July 15

Exemption of the physical presence of senior citizens, children below 12 years, pregnant women, and differently-abled applicants at the time of the submission may continue until further improvement in the situation. Earlier, the passport services were suspended in the wake of the coronavirus restrictions.

Abu Dhabi:The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday said it has decided to remove all restrictions on passport renewal applications to be submitted at BLS International Centres with effect from July 15.

The embassy said that it will enable concerned applicants to avail passport renewal service as was practised earlier. The passport services were suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and a temporary ban on international arrivals in India.

"Keeping given recent relaxation in restrictions relating to Covid-19 pandemic being implemented by UAE Authorities, the embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, further to our advisory dated June 21, 2020, has decided to remove all restrictions on passport renewal applications to be submitted at BLS International centers w.e.f 15.07.2020 thereby enabling the concerned applicants to avail passport renewal service as was practised earlier to our first advisory in this regard dated March 19, 2020," an advisory by the embassy read.

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However, the embassy said that its advisory dated June 17 conveying relaxation by exempting the physical presence of senior citizens, children below 12 years, pregnant women, and differently-abled applicants at the time of the submission of passport application may continue till further improvement in the situation.

"All applicants are requested to continue to maintain appropriate social distancing norms following local rules and regulations and wear face masks and hand gloves while visiting BLS centers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," the embassy said.

Last month, BLS International, the outsourced agency providing Indian visa and passport application processing services, has started an online appointment booking system at all 10 centers.

(ANI)