Will cost of Indian passport, visa services increase? MEA clarifies
What's the story
The Embassy of India in Bahrain and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have rubbished claims of a possible hike in the prices for Indian consular, passport, and visa services overseas. The Embassy of India in Bahrain said the reports were speculative and asked people to not believe such reports. The rumors were sparked by media reports, which the Congress party used to target the government.
Fee hike
Congress raises concerns over proposed fee hike
Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal took to social media to express his concerns over a proposed fee hike for consular services. He alleged fees could rise by 10 to 15 times and demanded an explanation from the government. According to The Daily Pioneer, a new request for proposal (RFP) may increase costs by 15 to 20 times. Applicants would pay for a bundled package of services, increasing costs from $5-7 to $90-100.
Twitter Post
We demand an explanation: Congress
A vast majority of our NRI brothers and sisters live paycheck to paycheck, so that they can send most of their earnings back home. The latest RFP for Consular, Passport and Visa services (CPV) at Indian missions abroad will impose a massive burden on these workers, and appears to…
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) February 27, 2025
Fee impact
NGO urges government to reconsider proposed changes
Following the report, the Pravasi Legal Cell, an NGO, appealed to the government against going ahead with the proposed changes. They argued many migrants earn modest wages and would struggle with the increased charges. Reacting to the plea, the embassy in Bahrain said, "There has been no increase in the fees for various consular services rendered in Bahrain as claimed. Such unverified and speculative reports...could..impact the delivery of such services in an effective manner."