Indian tourists can now get their UAE entry visa at no cost when booking a qualifying holiday in Abu Dhabi under a new programme launched by the emirate’s tourism authority.
The initiative, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is aimed at making travel to the emirate more accessible for Indian visitors. The offer applies to eligible Indian passport holders who book an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.
The programme runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, during an initial pilot period that will support up to 20,000 visas.
To qualify for the offer, travellers must book a holiday package that includes a minimum three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India. The booking must also be made through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
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Under the programme, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa for eligible bookings, helping reduce the upfront expenses for Indian tourists visiting the emirate.
India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s key international tourism markets, and the latest initiative is part of the emirate’s broader efforts to attract more Indian visitors and encourage them to stay longer.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said India continues to be one of Abu Dhabi’s most important international markets and that the authority remains committed to working closely with travel partners to make the destination more accessible to Indian travellers.
He said covering the visa cost would make it easier for Indian tourists to choose Abu Dhabi while also giving travel partners an additional reason to recommend the emirate to their customers.
Yousuf also said Abu Dhabi looked forward to welcoming more visitors who could spend longer exploring the emirate’s culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions.
The new visa initiative follows recent efforts by Abu Dhabi to strengthen air connectivity, expand partnerships with the travel trade and create additional opportunities for Indian travellers.
The offer is specifically available to Indian passport holders departing from India who book an Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner.
The booking must meet all three conditions:
- At least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- Booking through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
Travellers cannot apply independently for the free visa under this programme. The initiative has been designed specifically to operate through participating travel partners and OTAs.
How Travel Partners Can Participate
Participating travel partners have two options for processing the visa arrangements.
Under the first option, they can work through a DCT-appointed destination management company (DMC), with DCT Abu Dhabi covering the visa costs directly.
Alternatively, travel partners can continue working with their existing DMC partners. Under this arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for each visa issued.
The initiative is intended to make Abu Dhabi holidays more attractive to Indian travellers while strengthening the emirate’s ties with one of its most important tourism markets. With the pilot programme running until October 31, eligible travellers planning an Abu Dhabi holiday during this period can take advantage of the visa-cost waiver by booking through the participating travel network.
