Indian tourists booking a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now get their UAE entry visa for free. How? Under a new pilot programme launched by the emirate’s tourism authority to make the destination more accessible for one of its most important travel markets.
Planning An Abu Dhabi Trip? India Just Got A Free Visa Perk Worth Knowing About
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is covering the full visa cost for eligible Indian passport holders. All you need to do is book your holiday through participating travel partners and online travel agencies. The programme runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, and will support up to 20,000 visas during this pilot period. So it’s worth locking in your booking sooner rather than later if you want in.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify, a booking must include at least 3 consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel, a return flight from India and must be made through a participating travel partner or travel agent. This isn’t something travellers can apply for independently, since it’s been built specifically for the trade to offer as part of a package.
How Travel Partners Make It Work
Once those boxes are ticked, travel partners have two ways to make it work. They can route the booking through a DCT-appointed destination management company, in which case DCT Abu Dhabi covers the visa cost directly. Or else, they can continue using their own existing DMC partners, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing AED285 per visa issued instead.
Also Read: What Is DCT Abu Dhabi & Etihad Airways’s ‘Abu Dhabi Pass’ & How To Get It?
Why Abu Dhabi Is Doing This
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, called India one of the emirate’s most important international markets. As mentioned in the Gulf News, he said the move is meant to make Abu Dhabi more accessible while giving travel partners another reason to recommend it. He added that the goal is to welcome more visitors who spend longer exploring the emirate’s culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions, rather than just passing through.
Also Read: Visa-On-Arrival Now Available To UAE Travellers At These Additional Indian Airports
What This Means For Your Trip
The visa waiver builds on a string of moves Abu Dhabi has made this year to court Indian travellers specifically. That means expanding air connectivity to deepening travel trade partnerships. If you’ve been sitting on an Abu Dhabi trip because of the visa cost, this pilot might just be the nudge to finally book it, provided you go through the right channel and hit that three-night minimum.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal, CanvaPro/SlobodanMiljevic from Getty Images Signature
FAQs
How long does the programme run?
From August 1 to October 31, 2026, covering up to 20,000 visas during the pilot period.
Can I apply for the free visa myself?
No, the offer is only available through participating travel partners and OTAs, not as an independent application.
What are the booking requirements?
A minimum three-night stay in an Abu Dhabi hotel, a return flight from India, and booking through a participating travel partner.
Who is eligible for Abu Dhabi's free visa offer?
Indian passport holders departing from India who book an Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner or OTA.
