Delhi High Court orders review of Indian passport fees for UAE expats

Indian expatriates in the UAE are awaiting a potential reduction in passport renewal costs following a Delhi High Court ruling that questioned the legality of charging varying fees based on the country of residence. The court directed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to review the current fee structure, which currently sees UAE-based Indians paying significantly more than those residing in India or other regions. Court orders fee structure review On Tuesday, 4 August, legal representatives for the petitioners confirmed that the Delhi High Court has sought a clarification from the Central Government regarding the disparity in passport services. Under the current schedule, an Indian national in the UAE pays approximately Dh285 (roughly 6,500 Indian Rupees) for a standard 36-page passport renewal, whereas the same service costs 1,500 Indian Rupees within India. The legal challenge argues that the Passport Act, 1967, does not explicitly authorize the government to differentiate fees based on the applicant's geographical location. The court has granted the Ministry of External Affairs a specific window to justify the additional "consular surcharges" and administrative fees levied at missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Impact on UAE resident population The ruling directly affects the 3.5 million Indian nationals living in the UAE, the largest expatriate group in the country. For blue-collar workers earning minimum wages, the cost of renewal—which often includes mandatory…