Pravasi Legal Cell demands withdrawal of high consular service charges in Gulf region

TDT | Manama

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Pravasi Legal Cell has urged the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to withdraw its decision to raise consular service fees in the Gulf region, arguing that the move places a severe financial strain on Indian migrant workers.

In a memorandum submitted to the ministry, the organisation’s global president, Advocate Jose Abraham, highlighted the disproportionate impact of the increased Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) fees on blue-collar workers. “Many migrants earn modest wages and will struggle to afford the revised charges, which have risen up to fivefold in some countries,” the memorandum stated.

The new fee structure, introduced under an outsourcing policy benefiting private service providers, has seen charges soar - rising from SAR 50-75 to SAR 200-300 in Saudi Arabia and from BHD 5-10 to BHD 20-30 in Bahrain. Pravasi Legal Cell’s global spokesperson, Sudheer Thirunilath, called for an immediate review, warning that workers may be unable to renew essential documents, jeopardising their employment and legal status.

Migrant remittances are a major contributor to India’s economy, exceeding $100 billion in 2023. The organisation warned that rising service costs could force many to return home, harming both their families and the nation’s economy.

The organisation also warned that the sharp fee hike could push many migrant workers into debt and erode their trust in the Indian government, leaving them feeling abandoned at a critical time.