Fast Pakistani passport and ID renewal: Consul General urges community to use online services

Dubai: Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Mohammed, has urged members of the Pakistani community to make full use of the official online platform for passport and ID card applications to avoid long queues due to massive rush.

Speaking Gulf News, the Consul General emphasised that online applications are now the primary and most effective way to access consular services. “The government is pushing for more digital services. I urge everyone to apply online for ID cards and passports and use our courier services to minimise trips to the consulate,” he said.

Faster passport delivery

He noted that significant improvements have been made in the delivery of passports. Urgent passports now arrive from Pakistan in just 8 to 10 days, down from two weeks while regular passports are delivered within three weeks, instead of the previous monthlong wait.

“Passport and ID card delivery is one of the most important consular services. We have made it quicker and more accessible,” he added.

Online appointment

The consulate has also launched a new online appointment system on its website to streamline ID card renewals, a service that previously saw long queues and heavy walk-in traffic. “Now, almost 80% of applicants book online appointments, though we still accommodate walk-ins especially in cases of urgency or if online slots are full,” he explained.

The consulate, he said, receives approximately 800 to 1,000 passport applicants weekly, and around 180 to 200 people apply for ID cards daily. Monday and post-holiday periods are the busiest times. Hundreds of people also visit the consulate for document attestation and other services.

Crowding

To manage crowding, the passport, ID, and attestation sections sometimes remain open even on official public holidays. The Consul General stressed that all applicants can register complaints regarding services via a helpline and email.

The Consul General also announced that seating and waiting areas are being expanded. “We are making the existing hall bigger to better serve visitors,” he noted.

There are currently no satellite offices in northern Emirates, as biometric data must be processed centrally. However, ongoing efforts aim to improve the mobile and biometric systems for greater convenience.

Courier service

The Consul General also urged people to opt for the consulate’s courier service for document delivery. “It saves not only time but money. Around 2,000 people visit daily, and another 200 to 300 come just for collection of passports and ID cards. Courier can help reduce this load significantly,” he said.

Financial awareness

Hussain Mohammed also highlighted a sharp increase in remittances from the UAE to Pakistan, now surpassing $754.2 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The consulate is working closely with local banks and exchange houses to educate Pakistani workers especially those in labour camps on the importance of using legal channels.

“We have launched an awareness desk for remittances and encouraged the use of remittance cards. Some exchange companies are even offering free services,” he added.

Education a top priority

Raising concern over a shortage of Pakistani schools in the UAE, the Consul General made an appeal to the business community to invest in education. “Despite a significant increase in our population here, number of Pakistani schools have not increased. We need more schoolrs to offer Pakistani curriculum,” he said.

He noted that other expatriate communities have successfully established strong school networks and called on stakeholders to replicate those efforts for Pakistani children.

Skill development

In collaboration with UAE-based employers, the consulate has been actively promoting recruitment of Pakistanis in various sectors. “We held a successful job fair recently and are planning another in August,” he said, noting demand for skilled workers in nursing, healthcare, hospitality, and tourism.

The Consul General also urged the Pakistani government to invest more in skill development for overseas job seekers. A Youth Hub portal is being created to match skills with job openings and facilitate smoother recruitment.

“We want our workforce to be competitive on the global stage,” he concluded.