Bahrain’s first passport home delivery service has been launched by the Indian Embassy. Consular, visa and passport services at the Indian Embassy have been outsourced to Octic International’s headquarters near the Kuwaiti building, Gudaibiya.

The office will serve as a collection centre for passport and consular services and operate from Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 8pm.

Applicants will be able to track their visa or passport status online through www.octicinternational.com and receive an SMS alert.

By paying a nominal fee, which has yet to be announced, case officers will be sent to collect passports from homes or labour camps and deliver them back.

An emergency midnight delivery service will also be available. The embassy will now only receive applications for passport and visa services for diplomats and top officials.

‘I think this a great initiative that would benefit Indians and overall improve efficiency of passport and visa services,’ said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna after touring the office.

He said with the support of Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) additional services could be provided for the Indian community.

Octic International general manager Fazal Ul Haq said there were plans to set up an LMRA counter at the Gudaibiya office.

Company officials also plan to open 12 Indian Passport and Visa Application Centres, including in Hamad Town, Riffa, Salmabad and Muharraq.

The cost for all passport services is 800 fils in addition to the normal fees fixed by Indian authorities.

No fee will be charged for collection and delivery of passports for people with special needs. Bahrainis who intend to apply for an Indian visa will have to pay BD7 in addition to visa fee.