Abu Dhabi is offering complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian tourists. Check the dates, three-night stay rule, flight requirement and eligibility
New travel trade programme will cover eligible UAE visa costs for Indian passport holders booking qualifying Abu Dhabi holidays, with the initiative running until October 31, 2026.
Abu Dhabi has introduced a new incentive aimed at making travel to the emirate more accessible for Indian visitors, with participating travel partners able to offer complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian passport holders booking qualifying holiday packages.
Launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the initiative runs from 1 August to 31 October 2026 and is designed specifically for participating travel trade partners and online travel agencies in India.
Under the programme, eligible bookings must include a minimum three-night consecutive stay at an Abu Dhabi hotel as well as a return flight from India. DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the applicable UAE entry visa cost, reducing the upfront expense for qualifying travellers.
Who can get the free UAE visa?
The programme is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India who book an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners.
To qualify, the holiday booking must include:
- A minimum stay of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- Booking through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
The visa benefit is linked to the qualifying holiday package, meaning travellers cannot simply apply independently and expect the UAE visa fee to be waived.
When is the offer available?
The programme is running from August 1, 2026 until October 31, 2026.
The initiative is being introduced as a pilot, with DCT Abu Dhabi supporting up to 20,000 visas during the initial period.
Visa incentive targets Indian holidaymakers
The initiative is available to Indian passport holders departing from India who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel partners.
By absorbing the visa cost, DCT Abu Dhabi aims to provide travel companies with an additional incentive to promote Abu Dhabi as a holiday destination while making package travel more attractive to Indian consumers.
The programme also encourages longer stays, with the minimum three-night requirement designed to give visitors more time to explore the emirate beyond its headline attractions.
Two options for participating travel partners
Travel partners participating in the programme can access the visa benefit through two routes.
They can work with a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), with DCT Abu Dhabi covering the visa cost directly.
Alternatively, partners can continue working with their existing DMCs. Under this model, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse AED 285 for each visa issued, subject to the programme’s applicable terms.
The pilot initiative is initially expected to support up to 20,000 visas.
Abu Dhabi strengthens focus on Indian market
India remains a priority international market for Abu Dhabi, and the latest initiative forms part of the destination’s wider strategy to deepen engagement with Indian travellers and the country’s travel trade.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said India continues to be one of Abu Dhabi’s most important international markets.
He added that covering UAE entry visa costs would make it easier for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while providing travel partners with another reason to recommend the destination.
The initiative is also intended to encourage visitors to spend more time experiencing Abu Dhabi’s culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions.
Supporting air connectivity and travel trade partnerships
The visa incentive follows broader efforts by Abu Dhabi to strengthen its relationship with India’s travel industry.
Improved air connectivity, deeper engagement with travel trade partners and targeted destination marketing have increasingly become important elements of Abu Dhabi’s strategy for the Indian market.
For Indian travellers, Abu Dhabi offers a combination of cultural attractions, contemporary entertainment, luxury hospitality, family experiences and natural landscapes, while its connectivity from major Indian cities makes it accessible for both short breaks and longer holidays.
The latest visa initiative gives participating travel companies an additional tool to package and promote the destination during the August-to-October campaign period.
A potential boost for Abu Dhabi holidays from India
With the programme running through 31 October 2026, DCT Abu Dhabi is effectively lowering one of the upfront costs associated with international travel for eligible Indian holidaymakers.
The combination of a complimentary visa, return air travel and a minimum three-night hotel stay could help travel partners create more competitive Abu Dhabi packages during the campaign.
The initiative also underscores the growing importance of India as a source market for Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE tourism sector, with destination authorities increasingly working directly with travel trade partners to stimulate demand.
