Abu Dhabi Offers Free UAE Entry Visa to Indian Tourists in New Holiday Initiative

Editorial Team
2 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

ABU DHABI, August 10, 2026 — Indian tourists can now get their UAE entry visa free of charge when booking a 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 available to eligible Indian passport holders booking an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners and online travel agencies.

The programme runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, and is available for bookings that include a minimum three-night stay in an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India. DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa for eligible bookings, saving travellers Dh285 ($77) per person. During its pilot phase, the programme will initially provide support for up to 20,000 visas.

Published: August 10, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team

Abu Dhabi free visa for Indian tourists 2026 – infographic showing DCT Abu Dhabi's programme offering free UAE entry visas to Indian passport holders booking 3-night holidays, saving Dh285 per person, with 20,000 visas available until October 31, 2026. — bu Dhabi offers free UAE entry visas to Indian tourists booking holidays through participating partners from August to October 2026

Key Details of the Free Visa Initiative

Aspect	Details
Launch Date	August 1, 2026
End Date	October 31, 2026
Eligible Travellers	Indian passport holders departing from India
Minimum Stay	3 consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel
Travel Requirement	Return flight from India
Visa Cost Covered	Full UAE entry visa fee (Dh285 / $77 per person)
Total Visas Available	Up to 20,000 (pilot phase)
Total Subsidy Value	Dh5.7 million ($1.5 million)
Booking Channel	Participating travel partners and online travel agencies only

How the Programme Works

The program is designed specifically for participating travel partners and online travel agencies. Travellers booking a three-night Abu Dhabi package through participating partners will receive their UAE entry visa at no additional cost.

Two Options for Travel Partners

Travel partners have the option to select from two program choices:

Option	Process
Option 1	Work through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), with DCT Abu Dhabi covering visa costs directly
Option 2	Continue using their existing DMC partners, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing AED 285 for each visa issued

Important: Travellers cannot apply independently for the offer — the free visa is only available through participating travel partners.

Why India Is a Key Market

India remains a crucial international tourism market for Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said:

"India continues to be one of our most important international markets, and we remain committed to working closely with our travel partners to make Abu Dhabi even more accessible for Indian travellers."

"By paying for UAE entry visas, we are making it easier for Indian travelers to select Abu Dhabi, while also providing our travel partners with an additional strong incentive to endorse the destination."

"We look forward to welcoming more visitors as they spend longer exploring Abu Dhabi's culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions."

Indian Community in the UAE

Metric	Figure
Indian residents in the UAE	~4.38 million
Share of total UAE population	~35%
Indian residents in Abu Dhabi	~800,000

Indian residents are the largest expat community in the country.

Quick Reference Summary

Aspect	Details
Initiative Name	DCT Abu Dhabi Free Visa Programme
Eligible Nationality	Indian passport holders
Departure Point	Must depart from India
Minimum Stay	3 nights in Abu Dhabi
Booking Method	Through participating travel partners / OTAs
Visa Coverage	Full cost covered (Dh285 / $77)
Programme Period	August 1 – October 31, 2026
Visa Cap	20,000 (pilot)
Total Investment	Dh5.7 million ($1.5 million)
Direct Application	Not available

Official Resources

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi): dctabudhabi.ae
Visit Abu Dhabi Official Portal: visitabudhabi.ae
Participating Travel Partners: Check with DCT Abu Dhabi for updated list