BLS International loses key contract in UAE; Indian Embassy appoints new firm
BLS International, once a dominant name in India’s consular outsourcing ecosystem, has suffered a setback after losing contract for passport renewals, visa applications and other consular services for the 4.3‑million‑strong Indian community in UAE.
“Indians in the UAE will need to use a new service provider for passport renewals, visa applications, and other consular services from July 1, after tour and travel firm Alhind Tours and Travels won a three-year contract to replace the long-standing operator BLS International.,” according to a recent report in The Gulf News.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has awarded its outsourced consular services contract to Alhind Tours and Travels Private Limited, it confirmed in a public notice shared on the mission's website on Monday, April 20, according to the Gulf news report.
BLS International has been handling passport, visa and OCI applications for the UAE’s 4.3 million-strong Indian community since 2011.The loss of the UAE mandate comes against the backdrop of heightened regulatory scrutiny. In October 2025, MEA barred BLS International from participating in new government tenders for a period of two years, citing court cases and complaints from applicants. The debarment, which runs until October 2027, does not affect existing contracts but restricts the company’s ability to compete for new Indian government mandates.
The UAE development is not an isolated incident. In 2023, Estonia took action against BLS after its Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) found breaches in the handling of e‑Residency card issuance. The Estonian authorities said the violations involved unauthorised processes, prompting the termination of the arrangement with the company. BLS has also faced scrutiny in Canada on charges of additional charges.
The company has also faced questions around misinformation and disclosure. In July 2023, BLS International announced that it had signed a contract with the Embassy of Egypt in India. However, this turned out to be incorrect.
While BLS International remains a listed entity with operations across multiple geographies, it is now facing reputational issues.
“Indians in the UAE will need to use a new service provider for passport renewals, visa applications, and other consular services from July 1, after tour and travel firm Alhind Tours and Travels won a three-year contract to replace the long-standing operator BLS International.,” according to a recent report in The Gulf News.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has awarded its outsourced consular services contract to Alhind Tours and Travels Private Limited, it confirmed in a public notice shared on the mission's website on Monday, April 20, according to the Gulf news report.
BLS International has been handling passport, visa and OCI applications for the UAE’s 4.3 million-strong Indian community since 2011.The loss of the UAE mandate comes against the backdrop of heightened regulatory scrutiny. In October 2025, MEA barred BLS International from participating in new government tenders for a period of two years, citing court cases and complaints from applicants. The debarment, which runs until October 2027, does not affect existing contracts but restricts the company’s ability to compete for new Indian government mandates.
The UAE development is not an isolated incident. In 2023, Estonia took action against BLS after its Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) found breaches in the handling of e‑Residency card issuance. The Estonian authorities said the violations involved unauthorised processes, prompting the termination of the arrangement with the company. BLS has also faced scrutiny in Canada on charges of additional charges.
The company has also faced questions around misinformation and disclosure. In July 2023, BLS International announced that it had signed a contract with the Embassy of Egypt in India. However, this turned out to be incorrect.
While BLS International remains a listed entity with operations across multiple geographies, it is now facing reputational issues.
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