Recent media reports indicating a dramatic rise in prices for Indian passport and visa services overseas have been rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Bahrain as “speculative.” The Indian diaspora was alarmed by the claims, and opposition politicians questioned the administration about them as well.
MEA Dismisses Claims of Fee Hike
The Daily Pioneer’s report that a revised government request for proposal (RFP) might raise consular, passport, and visa (CPV) service fees by 15-20 times sparked the controversy. Even if an applicant does not need all of the services, the proposed bundled package would increase expenses from the existing $5–$7 to as much as $90–$100 by including extra services such as document digitization, biometric capture, photocopying, photography, form filling, and courier services.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal went to X after the report was released, claiming that fees were going to increase by 10 to 15 times and calling on the government to explain. An NGO that supports migrant rights, Pravasi Legal Cell, also pleaded with the government to change its mind, pointing out that many Indian workers have little salaries and would find it difficult to pay the higher fees.
Indian Embassy in Bahrain Refutes Reports
The Indian Embassy in Bahrain responded by issuing a statement in which it unequivocally denied any increase in fees.
“The costs for several consular services provided in Bahrain have not increased as stated. To avoid causing difficulty to the Indian community and affecting service delivery, the Embassy asks all parties involved to avoid unsubstantiated and speculative claims,” the statement read.
This position was supported by the MEA, which emphasised that the stories were entirely conjectural and unfounded in any formal ruling.
