The Embassy of India in Riyadh has informed that the Passport Seva Portal will be down for maintenance from 16:30 hours (Saudi time) on 19 October 2024 to 03:30 hours on 21 October 2024. During this time, essential services like EC, PCC, and Tatkal passport services will not be available.
The Embassy of India in Riyadh has announced that the Passport Seva Portal will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. The shutdown will occur from 16:30 hours (Saudi time) on October 19, 2024, until 03:30 hours (Saudi time) on October 21, 2024.
During this period, key services such as EC, PCC, and Tatkal passport services will not be available on October 20, 2024. This scheduled downtime is crucial to improving the efficiency and reliability of the system.
Key Points from the Announcement
1. Scheduled Downtime: The Passport Seva Portal will be unavailable from October 19, 2024 (16:30 hrs) to October 21, 2024 (03:30 hrs).
2. Unavailable Services: Emergency Certificate (EC), Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), and Tatkal passport services will not be available on October 20, 2024.
3. VFS Center Operations: Applicants with appointments for passport renewal can still submit their applications at VFS Global centers, except on holidays during this period.
4. Consular Services: Essential consular services will remain operational at the VFS center in Um Al Hammam, Riyadh, on Sunday.
Impact on Indian Citizens in Saudi Arabia
For Indian nationals living in Saudi Arabia, especially those in urgent need of passport services, this downtime may cause inconvenience. However, the Embassy has emphasized that this maintenance is essential for enhancing the system’s overall efficiency.
Citizens are encouraged to complete their applications before the scheduled maintenance to prevent disruptions to their travel plans or other needs.
Similar Maintenance Shutdowns in India and UAE
This temporary maintenance in Saudi Arabia mirrors similar events in India and the UAE, where the Passport Seva Portal was also briefly suspended:
India: In September 2024, the Passport Seva Portal in India underwent a four-days scheduled maintenance. The update was aimed at improving the user interface and the system’s security features.
UAE: In September 2024, Indian citizens in the UAE experienced a similar downtime from September 20 to September 24 due to system upgrades to meet the growing demand for passport services in the region.
How to Prepare for the Downtime
Here are some practical steps to avoid disruptions during the scheduled downtime:
• Submit Applications in Advance: Try to complete your passport renewal or other application processes before the downtime begins.
• Visit VFS Centers: If you already have a passport appointment, you can still visit the VFS centers, excluding holidays, to submit your application.
• Stay Updated: Follow updates from the Embassy of India in Riyadh for any potential changes to the schedule.
Conclusion
While the temporary shutdown of the Passport Seva Portal may inconvenience some Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia, this maintenance is essential for upgrading the system and ensuring its long-term reliability.
Similar maintenance sessions in India and the UAE show a trend towards improving the user experience. Ensure that you are aware of the downtime and prepare in advance to minimize any impact on your travel plans or passport needs.
Source: https://travelobiz.com/india-embassy-in-riyadh-announces-temporary-shutdown-of-passport-seva-portal/
