From e-passports to colour-coded covers: Indian expats in UAE to see major passport overhaul in 2025

Indian passports are getting a high-tech, user-friendly makeover in 2025, and the updates are especially relevant for the over 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE. From chip-enabled e-passports to easier documentation for families, these sweeping reforms aim to modernize how Indians at home and abroad manage one of their most important identity documents.

Here’s what’s changing, and why it matters:

1. Say hello to the e-passport
India has begun rolling out e-passports embedded with RFID chips that store biometric details like fingerprints, digital signatures, and facial data. They meet global ICAO standards and are designed to:

• Speed up immigration checks
• Improve data security
• Automatically issue with every new application or renewal

So if you're applying for a new passport or renewal in the UAE, you’ll likely receive the upgraded version—no special request needed.

2. Want to add your spouse’s name? No marriage certificate required
In a major shift, Indian passport holders can now add their spouse’s name using a self-declared affidavit (Annexure J)—no registered marriage certificate needed.

Both spouses must be physically present at the Indian Consulate in the UAE to sign the joint declaration, which includes photos, ID details, and signatures.

Bonus: Women can also use the same form to update or change their surname post-marriage.

3. Birth certificate now mandatory—for some
If your child is born on or after October 1, 2023, you must submit a government-issued birth certificate to prove their date of birth. For UAE-born children, the certificate must be:

• Issued by UAE health authorities
• Attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Submitted with documents like parents’ passports and marriage certificate
• Older applicants can still use school records, PAN, voter ID, or driving licenses.

4. Residential address goes digital
To protect personal privacy, residential addresses will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport. Instead:

• They’ll be stored digitally
• Linked via a QR code or barcode
• Accessible only to immigration or government authorities

This change cuts down misuse and improves data safety.

5. Parents’ names no longer mandatory
In a move towards inclusivity, parents’ or legal guardians’ names will no longer appear on new Indian passports. The change simplifies applications for people from:

• Single-parent households
• Estranged families
• LGBTQ+ or non-traditional family structures

6. Passport covers get a colour code
India is introducing a colour-coded passport cover system to make identification easier:

• White – Government officials
• Red – Diplomats
• Blue – Ordinary citizens (unchanged)

Expect quicker checks and clearer queues at immigration counters.

7. More passport centres coming
To reduce wait times and improve access, India plans to expand its passport service network from 442 to 600 centres by 2030, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Bottom line? Whether you’re renewing a passport in Dubai or applying for your baby’s first one in Abu Dhabi, these changes promise faster, safer, and more inclusive service, finally bringing the passport system up to speed with the times.