DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Thousands of Indian expatriates in the UAE are awaiting the Indian government’s response after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to consider objections to the country’s revised passport fee structure within three weeks.
The court’s order has renewed optimism among community representatives who argue that the higher passport charges introduced on July 1 place a heavier financial burden on overseas Indians, particularly low-income workers across the Gulf.
The petition was filed by the Kerala chapter of Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), challenging the revised fees introduced under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The group has asked the government to reconsider the new pricing or withdraw the revised fee structure altogether.
During a hearing on July 22, the Delhi High Court instructed the Union Government of India to treat the public interest litigation as a formal representation, examine the concerns raised and communicate its decision to the petitioners within three weeks before concluding the matter.
With the deadline approaching, PLC members in the UAE say they remain hopeful that the Ministry of External Affairs will review the fee increase.
According to the organisation, the revised charges have had the greatest impact on blue-collar workers and lower-income families living overseas, many of whom rely on Indian diplomatic missions across the GCC for passport renewals.
Community representatives estimate that renewing an Indian passport in the UAE now costs around Dh477, including applicable service and community welfare charges, compared with significantly lower fees for applicants within India.
PLC representatives said they had previously submitted multiple representations to the Ministry of External Affairs before approaching the court after receiving no response.
The organisation, which has chapters across several countries including the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Australia, says it has been advocating for legal and welfare issues affecting overseas Indians for more than a decade.
The issue is particularly significant in the UAE, which is home to an estimated 4.5 million Indian nationals, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world. Affordable access to passport services remains essential for workers, residents and families who require timely document renewals.
If the government does not revise the fee structure following its review, PLC representatives have indicated they may return to the Delhi High Court to pursue the matter further.
For passport services and official updates, applicants can visit the Passport Seva portal and the Consulate General of India, Dubai website.
