Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, headed by the Ambassador, functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
It has the following eight wings:
(i) Administration Wing
(ii) Consular Wing
(iii) Economic & Commerce Wing
(iv) Political Wing
(v) Press & Information Wing
(vi) Education Wing
(vii) Community Affairs Wing.
Each Wing is headed by a Counsellor/First Secretary/Second Secretary rank officer. The functions of the Embassy include political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison, and rendering Passport, Visa and Consular services. Embassy of India interacts regularly with representatives of various councils, committees and others.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Attestation of Labour Contracts/ Agreements for recruitment of Indian workers. Attending to visitors/ telephonic enquiries relating to recruitment of Indian workers. Providing a list of approved Recruiting Agents in India to local companies on demand.
- Attending to complaints received from Indian workers against their sponsors relating to non-payment of salary/dues/service benefits, harassment at work place, lack of food and accommodation facilities, etc. Advising them about their rights, legal position and guiding them about the course of action to be taken for resolving the issues. Taking up the matter with the local sponsor for amicable settlement of the problem.
- Attending to complaints of housemaids who approach the Embassy for help when they are harassed by the employer and attempting to resolve the issue with the sponsor/ employer. Arranging repatriation of housemaids to India, in cases where she does not want to continue with the local employer.
- In each and every death case, the sponsor is approached requesting for early settlement of salary dues/ service benefits/dispatch of personal belongings, etc. of the deceased Indian national. On receipt of settlement amount from the local company, the equivalent amount in Rupees is sent to the legal heirs of the deceased in India.
- Processing applications received for providing free air tickets by Air India/Indian Airlines for transportation of dead bodies of destitute/ stranded/absconded Indian nationals who die in Abu Dhabi as also for arranging tickets for the escorts. Issuing a recommendatory letter to Airlines for free tickets in such cases. Also issuing letter to the concerned Customs Authorities in India seeking help in clearing the personal belongings of the deceased Indian nationals through customs in India.
- Correspondence with local Foreign Office for settlement of Death compensation (Diya money)/Insurance money, etc. On receipt of confirmation from MFA about availability of Diya money, etc. at the Shariah court, the legal heirs in India are approached to furnish a Legal Heir Certificate and a Power of Attorney in order to enable the Embassy to collect the amount from Shariah court. On receipt of the above amount from the Shariah Court, the same is forwarded to the legal heirs through concerned district authorities in India.
- Attending to enquiries from relatives/Government agencies in India regarding welfare, whereabouts, arrest of Indian nationals as also complaints from relatives in India about non-maintenance of families by the Indian nationals working in the UAE.
- Welfare of NRIs regarding various problems faced by their families in India. Forwarding of such complaints of NRIs to the concerned State authorities for appropriate action. The investigation reports/information received from State authorities are conveyed to the complainant.
- Coordination/liaison with local jail/police authorities, labour/ Immigation Department, hospital/ sponsors/companies on matters relating to labour and welfare of Indian nationals in an attempt to resolve the issues.
- Visit to the UAE jails at Al Wathba and Al Ain for consular access in order to ascertain the welfare of Indian inmates detained there for various crimes and to take up their problems, if any, with the concerned UAE authorities.
- Visit to hospitals to meet patients who are in police custody for various crimes including attempted suicides, etc. and also to enquire about the welfare of patients suffering from infectious diseases like AIDS, etc.
- Visiting mortuary in order to identify dead bodies with a view to informing their relatives in India.
- Attending to marital disputes and trying to resolve the same amicably.
- Matters relating to Hindu Cremation Ground (Shantivan) in Abu Dhabi recently allotted to the Embassy.
- Attending to visitors/answering queries over phone about labour and welfare matters.
Major Services of Embassy
Passport Information: The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi administers the Indian Passport Services for Indian Citizens residing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Services are facilitated through an outsourced agency that receives applications and payment for these services.
The services provided are:
- Re-issue of Passport
- Re-validation of Passport
- Birth Registration and
- Miscellaneous Passport services
Visa Services
All Indian Visa applications have to be mandatorily submitted online by completing the online visa application form on the website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/. Thereafter a print out of the online visa application is to be submitted to BLS Center along with required documents/fees. Visa applications are received at BLS India Passport Visa Centers.
No appointment with the Embassy’s visa officials is required at the time of application. However, for Visa Enquiries or if applicant wants to bring anything of significance to the notice of the visa officials, they can call 02-4494982 between 10:00-12:00 hrs on working days. Also, queries could be made through E-mail ID:
Attestation Services The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, provides attestation services to Indians and Foreigners. The services are facilitated through an outsource agency, IVS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
The Attestation Services are rendered at 201, Shaikh Al Nahyan Camp, Mama’s Cup Cake Building, Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi (LandMark: Behind Red Crescent Head Office) from: 8 am to 3 pm, Sunday to Thursday except holidays. The contact number is: 02 4456994
Following attestation services are provided through attestation centre:
- Birth Certificate
- Housemaid’ Affidavit to State No Relationship
- Education / Transfer Certificate
- Divorce Decree
- Sponsorship Declaration Life Certificate
- Direction Identification Number(DIN) / Trade Docu ments (Sales Deeds / MOU / Agreements)
- Death Certificate
- Gift Deed
- Power of Attorney
- Other Documents (Such as court affidavit, surety bond, indemnity bond etc.)
- Will
- Undertaking Expenses for Studies
- NOC for Issuance of Passport in India for Spouse / Children
- Marriage Certificate
- Salary / Experience Certificate
- Driving Licence
- Application for Visit / Residence Visa for Family
- Medical Certificate Attestation for Foreign / UAE Nationals
- Bachelorhood Certificate
Registration of Marriage
In order to register marriage as per the Foreign Marriage Act 1969, applicants must reach the Embassy with notice for intended marriage, declaration by prospective bride and bridegroom in duplicate by each, sworn affidavit, and four identical passport size recent photographs. At least one of the parties must have residence visa of the UAE. If one of the parties is other than Indian, No Objection Certificate /Affidavit (in respect of individual regarding his/her marital status and willingness to marry an Indian) from the concerned Embassy is needed. The parties, along with three witnesses who hold residence visa of UAE, are required to appear before Marriage Officer for signatures with their original passport and a photocopy both at the time of submission of form and at the time of solemnization of the Marriage.
Indian Citizenship
Parents holding Indian passports should register birth of their children born in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi within a period of one year of the birth.
For registration of the birth and obtaining new passport, complete the formalities, including filling up of requisite forms under passport services – registration of birth, issue of BC and passport for a child born in UAE)
After one year of the birth of the child, the case will have to be referred to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Indian Citizenship Section, 26, Jaisalmer House, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011, in the prescribed application forms for getting approval. Procedure for getting approval in such cases from MHA takes considerable time. It is, therefore, advisable that parents holding Indian passports, register the birth of their children born in the UAE with the Embassy within the prescribed period of one year without fail.
Persons like spouses married to Indian citizens etc, intending to acquire Indian citizenship by registration, who are residents of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are required to apply in the prescribed forms to the Ministry of in Home Affairs (MHA), Indian Citizenship Section, 26, Jaisalmer House, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011 through the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi.
Registration of Death
The embassy offers services for repatriation of the body of an Indian citizen, even on holidays and after office hours, completely on a gratis basis. The requirements are death certificate in original and seven copies, Embalming Certificate in original and seven copies, Certificate from the Directorate of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, for the transportation of the body and seven copies, a letter from the Sponsor requesting facilitation of despatch of the body to India for last rites as required by the next of kin, original passport of the deceased with two photocopies of the first two and last two pages of visa, two photocopies of passport (of first 2, last 2 and visa page) of the person accompanying the body(Person accompanying should be present at the time of Registration for signing the Death Register), a letter from the Sponsor of the deceased person with details of outstanding dues to the deceased person in the proforma prescribed, confirmation from airlines about booking of space and authorization from the next of kin of the deceased authorizing designated representative to receive the body.
For service after office hours, contact the duty officer on telephone No. 02-4492700.
For free transportation of mortal remains by Air India/Indian Airlines, wherever the sponsor is unwilling to bear the airfare or not traceable, the Labour & Welfare Section of the Embassy can be contacted, who would issue a letter of recommendation to the Air India/Indian Airlines.
AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO THE UAE
Pavan Kapoor was born on December 24, 1966. He has an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India and a Masters in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Kapoor joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1990. In his diplomatic career of over two and a half decades, he has served in different capacities in the Indian Missions in Moscow, Kyiv, London and Geneva apart from serving in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi.
He also served as an international civil servant with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London as Political Adviser for Asia and Europe.
From July, 2010 to December, 2013, Kapoor served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, first heading the SAARC Division and then the United Nations Political Division. He was India’s High Commissioner to Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland from January 2014 to February 2016.
Kapoor assumed charge as the Ambassador to Israel on March 9, 2016.
He speaks Russian, and some French and Portuguese. Kapoor is married to Aradhana Sharma.
INDIAN CONSULATE IN UAE
Mission decides to resume the practice of organizing open house on one Friday of every month to assist bluecollar workers
The distressed Indians will get more assistance through the Indian consulate and the community members here with the mission setting up committees to assist in welfare outreach programmes. The Indian Consulate in Dubai, UAE, will form nine committees with members from the community to help resolve grievances of Indians in distress.
The new committees will handle issues related to seafarers, jail, legal, cultural, students, medical, illegal stay/ immigration, death cases, family dispute/marital issues. Volunteers, who have been assisting the consulate, and community leaders along with consular officials will form these committees. The committee members will have an advisory role and can help the mission with cases that can be covered under the Indian Community Welfare Fund [ICWF] and beyond.
“They can help in spreading awareness about ICWF and also help through the community members when the government cannot assist the needy, through the ICWF.”
The payment of school fee for children from needy families which cannot be covered under the ICWF is an example of it. “These committee members can check if there is someone in the community who wants to help in such cases and help connect with them.”
The aim is to address the gap of an institutional framework of addressing community issues. People who have been active in helping the community in various issues will be given preference in these committees. The mission will also enhance its outreach programme by resuming the open house, which was discontinued some years ago, since the consulate officials were made available every morning to address the issues of community members. “The mission will hold open meetings every six months with the Indian community where these committees will present the cases they handled.”
The need for dedicating a day for an open house was again felt as many Indian workers were not able to visit the mission during working days.
“The Consulate does not refuse any meetings. But sometimes it is felt that the Indian labourers may be missing out as consulate is not working on Fridays. So, for the redressal of their problems, it has decided to designate one Friday every month for an open house.”
The mission has also decided to enhance its engagement with the Indian student community in the UAE. Almost 70 per cent of the three million Indians in the UAE are blue collar workers who need help from the community and the Consulate.
Indian diplomats are now rendering 24×7 services, attending to cases reported through social media and addressing community issues even on holidays.
Since 2003, India observes January 9 as ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ to commemorates the return of India’s Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai in 1915.
In an apparent U-turn, the government of India has decided to temporarily halt the mandatory online registration of ECNR passport holders with job visas in 18 countries, including the UAE.
Earlier this month, the government had made it mandatory for all Indian nationals in emigration check required (ECR) countries to register themselves on the eMigrate portal, www.emigrate.gov.in.
In its latest advisory, the ministry said it received “representations from various quarters, including non-ECR passport holders already employed in ECR countries, regarding difficulties faced by them in registration on www.emigrate.gov.in”.
“The Indian missions in those countries have also forwarded representations received by them from the local Indian community. In view of the above, the competent authority has decided to keep this advisory, regarding registration of non-ECR passport holders, in abeyance until further orders.”However, all Indians who want to voluntarily register can do so, the advisory added.
Welcoming the announcement, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri, said the embassy had shared the concerns raised by “different sections of the Indian community” to the MEA. “I am happy that the ministry has responded positively by deferring mandatory pre-registration and making participation in the process voluntary.”
On November 14, the Government of India announced that starting January 1, 2019, all Indian nationals holding an employment visa in all the 18 ECR countries should register on the eMigrate portal.
With an estimated three million Indian expats living in the UAE alone, the new requirement sent many into a tizzy as questions were raised about logistics and feasibility.
The eMigrate website had crashed soon after the announcement was made public, and queries poured in at the Indian diplomatic missions and social organizations.
Many pravasis questioned the legality of the mandatory registrations and the off-loading clause attached to the decision Legal experts feel that the decision “caused unnecessary panic”.
“Proper time frame should have been given before making such announcements in the first place. There were many families who were planning to go to India during the long weekend, and all were unsure how the new rule would affect them.”
Registration Of marriage Of NRI’s
In a bid to protect Indian women from exploitation by NRI husbands, External Affairs Minister has introduced a Bill on Registration of Marriage of NRIs in the Upper House of Parliament.
The new Bill proposes mandatory registration within 30 days of marriage held in India or abroad. The ministry hopes this move will provide better enforcement of rights for the deserted woman under the family laws. Also there are amendments proposed to the Passports Act 1967 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, whereby if the marriage isn’t registered within 30 days, the passport of the NRI will be revoked, summons and warrant be issued. Despite all this, if the NRI fails to appear in court, his properties will be attached and he will be declared ‘Proclaimed Offender’.
Social activists lauded the move, which will restrict NRI husbands from using marriage as a tool of exploitation and making money.
“We see many cases of forged marriage with bogus documents. The ulterior motive is to cheat the woman for money. Since marriage takes place outside India, there are no records or legal documents for further procedures to be initiated against the offender. So once this Bill is passed, such practices will be curbed and this will be a big relief for women here and back in India. This will be a useful weapon in their fight and curtail irregularity to a great extent.”
This sort of trend is seen mostly in Europe and the US, and not in the UAE.”We don’t see such cases here because of stringent rules. None can do fraud and escape from here. These cases are mostly in the US, Canada and European nations where expats enjoy many social privileges and tax benefits, which lead to such frauds. But the minister has directly taken up such cases. And this Bill will help create more awareness about the need for registration of marriage.”
“Women from many states of India end up being victims. Actually, there are many from other countries, too. In most of the cases, women are cheated. They are exploited, abused and even forced into flesh trade. Once this Bill becomes law, it will help end such exploitation. It would be better if there is greater role for Indian missions in this aspect of registration of marriages. Also, the local authorities should take stringent steps to curb such practices.
UAE resident Zubi Zaidi, who got cheated in her marriage, has lauded the Bill Indian parents are obsessed with NRI grooms but not all big fat weddings lead to life-long partnership. Between January 2014 and December 2018, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has addressed 5,379 complaints of distressed Indian women abandoned or harassed by their NRI spouses. It’s an average of 1,000 cases per year and three in 24 hours.
The new Bill Proposes:
- A mandatory registration of marriage within 30 days;
- If the marriage isn’t registered within 30 days, passport of the NRI will be revoked and summons and warrant be issued;
- If he fails to appear in court, his properties will be attached and he will be declared ‘proclaimed offender’
Dependents of Indian expatriates working in the UAE need not register on the e-migrate platform.
All Indian expatriates working in the UAE have to do a mandatory onetime registration on the country’s emigrate platform, www.emigrate. gov.in
The rule is applicable to all Indian nationals working in all 18 countries listed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Failure to do so will result in the off-loading of unregistered non-ECNR emigrants at all international airports across India, starting January 1, 2019. Vipul also clarified that dependents of Indian expatriates working in the UAE, such as spouses or children, need not register under the platform.
Those who are working in an ECNR nation, and holding an employment visa stamped on their passport will have to register on the e-migrate platform.
Spouses or children who have jobs, but are on a dependent visa, need not register on the platform.” Expatriates travelling to India on a short holiday or an emergency trip are also required to complete the registration. The process does not take more than five minute.
According to a notice issued by the MEA on November 14, expatriates are required to complete the registration at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Indian mobile number must for registration
Since a one-time password (OTP) is required to complete the registration on the platform, expatriates are required to use an Indian mobile number to finish the formality. “It is not required that the SIM card is registered under your name. As long as it is an Indian number, it is fine,” added Vipul.
The e-Migrate system was launched by the Indian government on June 1, 2015, to reduce the number of fraudulent jobs offers in India, particularly targeted at the country’s working class.
“It is also to keep track of the numbers of people who are exiting India for employment in any of the ECNR countries. Furthermore, the work force of Indians in ECNR countries are very high. This decision has been made to safeguard their interests.
Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, UAE and Yemen are the 18 countries listed by India.
“Indian tops the world in the number of migrants sent abroad and more than half of the 16.59 million live in the Gulf region, according to a 2017 UN report titled ‘International Migration Report’.
The United Arab Emirates has the largest number of Indian migrants, who number 3.31 million. In all the Gulf countries together, Indians totaled 8.9 million, according to the report. Of them, 2.27 million were in Saudi Arabia, 1.2 million in Oman and 1.16 million in Kuwait.
The monthly Open House programme, where the Consul General and senior diplomats address grievances of Indians on the last Friday of every month, and the community volunteers committees that help resolve various issues of Indians in distress have proved to be a success
“There were eight cases of students where schools were approached to waive off fees of children from families facing financial crisis.”
Through committees, some Indian community members also helped in paying pending fees of students of families in financial crisis.
CONSUL GENERAL OF INDIA
Vipul an Indian Foreign Service Officer of 1998, batch is the Consul General of India in Dubai.
He had assumed office through the official Twitter account of the Indian Consulate in Dubai. He is a person who takes keen interest in developing a more cordial relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates and for the welfare of the Indian Community in UAE.
Before joining the Consulate in Dubai, he was working as Joint Secretary at the office of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and served there for three years.
Vipul has also served at India’s diplomatic missions in Cairo, Colombo and Geneva earlier. Vipul succeeds Anurag Bhushan, who has served as the Indian Consul in Dubai for over five years. During his diplomatic career, he has also worked in diverse departments including political and commercial relations, development, disarmament, international security and media.
Vipul is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and holds an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
His family consists of wife Kirti and a four-year-old daughter. He is a person with good command over the Arabic language.