Indian Embassy Services

Services Available from the Indian Embassy, High Commission, and Consulates

Indian embassies, high commissions, and consulates provide a wide range of consular, documentation, and citizen-support services for Indian nationals living or travelling abroad, as well as services for foreign nationals engaging with India. These missions play a key role in protecting Indian citizens overseas and facilitating travel, trade, and diplomatic relations.

This article explains the main services available from Indian embassies, what they can help with, and their practical limitations.

1. Indian Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates Explained

India maintains diplomatic missions worldwide under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

  • Embassies operate in countries where India has full diplomatic representation
  • High Commissions operate in Commonwealth countries
  • Consulates / Consulates-General provide regional consular services, often in major cities

Collectively, these are referred to as Indian overseas missions.

2. Passport Services

One of the most frequently used services at Indian embassies and consulates relates to passports.

Common Passport Services

  • New Indian passport applications
  • Passport renewals and re-issue
  • Replacement of lost or damaged passports
  • Change of personal particulars (name, address, marital status)
  • Emergency travel documents in urgent cases

Most passport services are processed through the Passport Seva system, with overseas applications lodged via Indian missions.

3. Visa Services for Foreign Nationals

Indian embassies also provide visa services for non-Indian citizens travelling to India.

Typical Visa Services

  • Tourist visas
  • Business visas
  • Employment visas
  • Student visas
  • Entry visas (for persons of Indian origin)

Many visas are now issued as e-Visas, while others require in-person lodgement depending on nationality and visa type.

4. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Services

For foreign nationals of Indian origin, embassies provide OCI-related services, including:

  • New OCI card applications
  • OCI card re-issuance
  • Updating passport or personal details
  • OCI surrender or renunciation (where applicable)

OCI status provides long-term visa-free travel and residence rights in India, subject to conditions.

5. Consular Assistance and Citizen Protection

Indian embassies provide consular assistance to Indian nationals facing serious difficulties overseas.

Assistance May Include

  • Help in cases of arrest or detention
  • Assistance during medical emergencies
  • Support in cases of death overseas
  • Assistance to victims of crime, exploitation, or abuse
  • Support during natural disasters, conflict, or evacuation efforts

Important Limitations

Indian embassies cannot:

  • Pay fines, legal fees, or medical bills
  • Interfere with local judicial proceedings
  • Secure preferential treatment under local law

Their role is advisory, facilitative, and humanitarian.

6. Notarial and Attestation Services

Indian missions provide extensive document attestation and notarial services, particularly important for cross-border legal and administrative use.

Common Services

  • Attestation of affidavits and declarations
  • Attestation of educational and personal documents
  • Power of attorney attestation
  • Life certificates for pensioners
  • Birth, marriage, and death registration (where applicable)

Many documents are now processed digitally in coordination with India’s e-Sanad and apostille systems.

7. Apostille and Document Legalisation Support

While the Apostille itself is issued in India by the MEA, embassies assist by:

  • Verifying document origin
  • Guiding applicants through apostille or attestation requirements
  • Accepting documents for onward processing (in some jurisdictions)

This is particularly relevant for documents being used abroad for immigration, education, or employment.

8. Emergency and Welfare Services

Indian embassies provide critical support in emergencies, including:

  • Issuance of Emergency Certificates for travel to India
  • Coordination during large-scale evacuations
  • Welfare assistance to distressed Indian nationals
  • Repatriation coordination in exceptional circumstances

Emergency contact numbers are usually available 24/7.

9. Trade, Education, and Cultural Services

Beyond consular work, Indian missions promote India’s broader interests by:

  • Supporting trade and investment
  • Promoting Indian businesses and startups
  • Facilitating educational cooperation
  • Supporting cultural events and diaspora engagement
  • Strengthening bilateral diplomatic relations

These services are often coordinated with Indian government agencies and industry bodies.

10. What Indian Embassies Do Not Do

It is important to understand the limits of embassy services. Indian missions generally do not:

  • Provide routine legal advice
  • Act as courts or appeal bodies
  • Intervene in private commercial disputes
  • Pay personal debts or fines
  • Replace private insurance or legal representation

11. How to Access Indian Embassy Services

To access services:

  • Check the relevant mission’s official website
  • Use online portals (Passport Seva, OCI, visa systems)
  • Book appointments where required
  • Bring original documents and valid identification
  • Be aware of local holidays and limited service hours