Abu Dhabi Offers Free UAE Entry Visas To Indian Travellers For 3 Months
Indian travellers planning a trip to Abu Dhabi have a new reason to escape to the UAE capital this season. Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has launched a new programme that offers complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian passport holders.
The programme is running from August 1 to October 31, 2026, and is available through selected travel partners and online travel agencies.
Under the programme, Indian travellers who book an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday package with a minimum three-night hotel stay can get their UAE entry visa at no extra cost.
Who Can Apply?
The offer is available to Indian passport holders travelling from India to Abu Dhabi through participating travel partners.
To qualify for the complimentary visa, the booking must include:
- A minimum stay of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- Booking through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
Travellers cannot simply apply for the free visa separately. The visa benefit is linked to an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday booking made through the participating partners.
When Is The Free Visa Programme Available?
The programme is valid for bookings and travel arrangements covered between August 1 and October 31, 2026.
DCT Abu Dhabi has introduced the initiative as a pilot programme and plans to support up to 20,000 visas during this period.
The initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's ongoing efforts to attract more visitors from India and encourage Indian travellers to spend more time exploring the destination.
How Will The Free UAE Visa Work?
The visa programme is being managed through participating travel partners.
Travel partners have two options for handling the visa process. They can work with a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company, with DCT Abu Dhabi covering the visa costs directly.
Alternatively, they can continue working with their existing DMC partners. In this case, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse AED 285 for every eligible visa issued under the programme.
For travellers, the main point is simple. If the Abu Dhabi package meets the programme requirements and is booked through a participating partner, the UAE entry visa will be provided without an additional visa charge.
What Indian Travellers Should Know
The free visa offer does not apply to every Abu Dhabi hotel or flight booking. It is specifically connected to participating travel partners and eligible holiday packages.
So, if you are planning an Abu Dhabi trip during this period, check with your travel agent or online travel platform before making the booking. Make sure the package is part of the DCT programme and includes the required three-night hotel stay and return flight from India.
With the pilot programme covering up to 20,000 visas, availability may also depend on the programme's remaining quota.
Why Has Abu Dhabi Introduced This Programme?
India remains an important international travel market for Abu Dhabi. Through this initiative, DCT Abu Dhabi is working with travel partners to make holiday planning easier for Indian visitors and encourage more travellers to choose the UAE capital.
The destination is also preparing for several major attractions and developments in the coming months, giving Indian travellers more reasons to include Abu Dhabi in their travel plans.