Indian nationals residing in the UAE will now be eligible to upgrade to the chip‑enabled e‑passport without any additional fee, the Indian Consulate (Dubai) announced today. The upgraded passport includes biometric chip embedded security features and aligns with global travel norms, while maintaining the same renewal cost. The scheme is expected to be rolled out early next year and will apply to both new applicants and renewals. The move strengthens India’s diaspora‑service mission and eases travel for millions of residents in Gulf countries.