Abu Dhabi launches free visa offer for Indian tourists

Indian passport holders can now benefit from free UAE entry visas when booking an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners.

The initiative, launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026.

It applies to holiday bookings that include a minimum stay of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India.

Under the programme, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa, helping reduce the upfront cost of travel and making Abu Dhabi more accessible to Indian visitors.

Travel partners can access the programme through either a DCT-appointed destination management company, with visa costs covered directly by DCT Abu Dhabi, or through their existing partners, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing AED 285 for each visa issued.

The pilot programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas, and is part of DCT Abu Dhabi's continued engagement with the Indian market.

"By covering the cost of UAE entry visas, we are making it simpler for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while giving our travel partners another compelling reason to recommend the destination," said Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi.