Abu Dhabi offers free visas to Indian tourists through October 31

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi has launched a new initiative to attract Indian tourists by offering complimentary UAE entry visas for eligible holiday bookings. The programme, which began on August 1, 2026, will run until October 31, 2026, and is designed to reduce upfront travel costs and make Abu Dhabi a more accessible destination for visitors from India.

Under the scheme, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa for Indian passport holders who book a holiday package through participating travel partners and online travel agencies. To qualify, the booking must include a minimum three-night stay in an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India. The initiative is not available for independent applications and is developed exclusively for use with participating travel trade partners.

The programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas during its pilot period. DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse participating partners AED 285 for each visa issued, or cover the cost directly if the partner works through a DCT-appointed destination management company. This structure is intended to give travel partners a compelling reason to recommend Abu Dhabi...