Abu Dhabi Offers Free UAE Entry Visas To Eligible Indian Travellers For Three Months

Indian travellers planning a UAE holiday have a new incentive to consider Abu Dhabi. The emirate has launched a limited-time programme offering free UAE entry visas to eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holidays.

The initiative, launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), began on August 1 and will run until October 31, 2026. During the three-month pilot, the programme will initially cover up to 20,000 visas.

The offer aims to make Abu Dhabi more accessible to Indian travellers while encouraging them to stay longer and explore the emirate beyond a short stopover.

Who Can Get The Free UAE Visa?

The programme is open to Indian passport holders travelling from India. However, the free visa is not available through a regular independent visa application. To qualify, travellers must meet all the programme requirements. This includes:

• Booking an Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner or online travel agency

• Staying for at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel

• Having a return flight from India

The visa benefit is linked to the qualifying holiday package. So, simply holding an Indian passport or booking a hotel independently does not make a traveller eligible for the offer.

How Does The Free Visa Offer Work?

Travellers do not have to pay the UAE entry visa fee separately when their booking qualifies for the programme. DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full visa cost for eligible bookings made through participating travel partners and online travel agencies.

There are two ways participating travel companies can process the visas. They can work with a destination management company appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, with the tourism department covering the visa cost directly.

Alternatively, travel partners can continue working with their existing destination management companies. In this case, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for every visa issued.

For travellers, the important thing to remember is that the offer has to be arranged through a participating travel company. It cannot be claimed by applying independently for a UAE tourist visa.

The Offer Is Valid Until October 31

The programme is currently scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, with up to 20,000 visas covered during the pilot period.

Since the initiative is limited to participating travel partners and has a fixed number of visas, travellers planning an Abu Dhabi holiday during this period should check with their travel agent or an online travel platform to confirm whether their booking qualifies before making the trip.

Why India Matters To Abu Dhabi

India remains an important international tourism market for Abu Dhabi, and the new visa initiative is part of the emirate's efforts to strengthen its ties with Indian travellers and the travel trade.

Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said India remains one of Abu Dhabi's most important international markets. He added that covering visa costs would make it easier for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi and give travel partners another reason to recommend the destination.

The programme also comes as Abu Dhabi works to strengthen air connectivity and travel trade partnerships with India.

For Indian travellers, the offer could make a three-night-or-longer Abu Dhabi holiday a little more attractive, particularly for those looking to explore the emirate's culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions.

(With inputs from various sources)

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