From e-passports to colour-coded covers: Indian expats in UAE to see main passport overhaul in 2025 – Instances of India

Indian passports are getting a high-tech, user-friendly makeover in 2025, and the updates are particularly related for the over 3.5 million Indians residing within the UAE. From chip-enabled e-passports to simpler documentation for households, these sweeping reforms goal to modernize how Indians at residence and overseas handle considered one of their most essential identification paperwork.Right here’s what’s altering, and why it issues:1. Say hiya to the e-passportIndia has begun rolling out e-passports embedded with RFID chips that retailer biometric particulars like fingerprints, digital signatures, and facial information. They meet international ICAO requirements and are designed to:

So in case you’re making use of for a brand new passport or renewal within the UAE, you’ll doubtless obtain the upgraded model—no particular request wanted.2. Need to add your partner’s identify? No marriage certificates requiredIn a serious shift, Indian passport holders can now add their partner’s identify utilizing a self-declared affidavit (Annexure J)—no registered marriage certificates wanted.Each spouses have to be bodily current on the Indian Consulate within the UAE to signal the joint declaration, which incorporates pictures, ID particulars, and signatures.Bonus: Girls also can use the identical kind to replace or change their surname post-marriage.3. Beginning certificates now necessary—for someIn case your youngster is born on or after October 1, 2023, you will need to submit a government-issued delivery certificates to show their date of delivery. For UAE-born kids, the certificates have to be:

4. Residential tackle goes digitalTo guard private privateness, residential addresses will not be printed on the final web page of the passport. As an alternative:

This variation cuts down misuse and improves information security.5. Dad and mom’ names not necessaryIn a transfer in direction of inclusivity, mother and father’ or authorized guardians’ names will not seem on new Indian passports. The change simplifies functions for individuals from:

6. Passport covers get a color codeIndia is introducing a colour-coded passport cowl system to make identification simpler:

Anticipate faster checks and clearer queues at immigration counters.7. Extra passport centres comingTo cut back wait instances and enhance entry, India plans to increase its passport service community from 442 to 600 centres by 2030, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.Backside line? Whether or not you’re renewing a passport in Dubai or making use of to your child’s first one in Abu Dhabi, these adjustments promise quicker, safer, and extra inclusive service, lastly bringing the passport system on top of things with the instances.