ABU DHABI // Indian missions in the UAE will shift document attestation services from their premises by December.
Two service centres will open in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to receive applications and better serve the mission's customers.
According to a tender notice posted on the website of the Consulate General of India, the service providers were to be required to start full operations from October 1. The timing, however, has been pushed back.
MK Lokesh, the Indian ambassador, said the delay was due to "ongoing preparations".
"Only two centres will be opened," he said.
Negotiations are ongoing as to which firms will provide the services, he added.
The embassy attests between 6,000 and 7,000 certificates and documents a month.
The contract of the current outsourced agency, VFS Global, is set to expire by September 30.
A source at the embassy confirmed that "the mission will seek their services for the upcoming two months and there is no problem in doing that".
According to the tender, the deadline to submit bids and proposals was July 15.
There has been some speculation about fee changes, but nothing will be finalised until a contract is signed.
VFS Global now charges Dh8 in Abu Dhabi and Dh10 in Dubai to attest a document.
anwar@thenational.ae