✈️ When Is the Free UAE Visa Programme Available?

The pilot programme is running from August 1 to October 31, 2026.

During this period, DCT Abu Dhabi plans to support up to 20,000 visas under the initiative. The offer is available through participating travel partners and online travel agencies rather than as a general visa-free facility for every Indian traveller.

🇮🇳 Who Can Apply?

The programme is specifically aimed at:

• Indian passport holders
• Travellers departing from India
• Travellers booking their Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
• Travellers whose booking meets the required hotel and flight conditions

🏨 What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

To qualify for the complimentary UAE entry visa, the Abu Dhabi holiday booking must include:

1. Minimum Three-Night Stay

The traveller must book a stay of at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.

2. Return Flight From India

The eligible booking must also include a return flight from India.

3. Booking Through Participating Partners

The offer is available only when the holiday is booked through participating travel partners or online travel agencies taking part in the programme.

Therefore, travellers should confirm with their travel agency or booking platform that the package qualifies before making their reservation.

💰 How Does the Free Visa Work?

Under the programme, eligible travellers do not pay an additional visa fee when their qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday package is processed through a participating partner.

Participating travel partners can use one of two arrangements:

• Work through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), with DCT Abu Dhabi covering the visa cost directly.
• Continue working with their existing DMC partners, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing AED 285 per visa issued.

This means the traveller receives the benefit through the qualifying travel package rather than applying for a completely separate, universally free UAE tourist visa.

🌍 Why Has Abu Dhabi Introduced This Initiative?

India remains an important international tourism market for Abu Dhabi. The new programme is intended to make visiting the emirate more accessible to Indian travellers while giving participating travel partners an additional incentive to promote Abu Dhabi holidays.

The initiative also comes at a time when Abu Dhabi continues to expand its tourism attractions, cultural experiences and international visitor offerings.

🏙️ What Can Indian Travellers Explore in Abu Dhabi?

Once in Abu Dhabi, travellers can combine their short holiday with experiences across the emirate, including:

• 🕌 Cultural and heritage attractions
• 🏛️ Museums and art experiences
• 🌴 Beaches and waterfront areas
• 🏜️ Desert experiences
• 🍽️ Local and international cuisine
• 🛍️ Shopping and entertainment
• 🌅 Scenic Abu Dhabi city experiences

For a three-night trip, travellers can create a compact itinerary covering the city’s major attractions while also leaving time for relaxation.

📅 How Long Is the Offer Available?

The programme is scheduled to run for three months, from August 1 through October 31, 2026, subject to the programme’s available allocation.

With the pilot capped at 20,000 visas, interested travellers should check availability and eligibility with participating travel partners before booking.

⚠️ Things Travellers Should Know Before Booking

Although the visa itself can be complimentary under the scheme, travellers should not assume that every Abu Dhabi booking automatically qualifies.

Before confirming your trip:

• Check whether your travel agency is a participating partner.
• Confirm that your stay is for at least three consecutive nights.
• Ensure the package includes the required return flight from India.
• Confirm that the complimentary visa is included in your qualifying booking.
• Check passport and other UAE entry requirements before travelling.
• Ask about any package costs that remain payable even though the visa fee is covered.

Indian citizens generally require a UAE visit visa for tourism, so this initiative should be understood as a limited promotional programme, not a permanent change to UAE visa policy.

✈️ Is This a Good Time to Plan an Abu Dhabi Trip?

For Indian travellers looking for a short international holiday, the programme could make an Abu Dhabi trip more attractive by removing the visa fee from qualifying packages.

The biggest advantage is that the offer combines the visa benefit with a structured holiday booking, making it particularly relevant for travellers who are already considering a three-night-or-longer Abu Dhabi getaway.

Abu Dhabi’s new initiative gives eligible Indian passport holders an opportunity to receive a complimentary UAE entry visa when they book a qualifying holiday package through participating travel partners.

Running from August 1 to October 31, 2026, the pilot programme covers eligible bookings with a minimum three-night Abu Dhabi hotel stay and a return flight from India, with an initial allocation of up to 20,000 visas.

For Indian travellers planning an international escape, this could be an attractive opportunity to explore Abu Dhabi’s culture, beaches, attractions and desert landscapes while saving on the visa cost.

Planning an Abu Dhabi holiday? Check with your travel partner whether your package qualifies for the complimentary UAE entry visa before booking.