Indian Travellers Can Get UAE Visa Free on 3-Night Abu Dhabi Holidays Under New SchemeIndian passport holders travelling from India can now get their UAE entry visas at no cost when they book an Abu Dhabi holiday of at least three consecutive nights, under a new tourism initiative launched by the emirate.The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) said the promotional visa programme will run from August 1 to October 31, 2026, with up to 20,000 UAE entry visas initially covered during the three-month pilot.Under the initiative, eligible Indian travellers will have the full cost of their UAE entry visa covered when they book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.The offer is designed to make Abu Dhabi more accessible to Indian visitors while encouraging longer stays in the emirate.Who qualifies for the free UAE visa?The initiative is specifically available to Indian passport holders departing from India.Travellers must meet all the programme requirements, including:• Booking their holiday through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.• Staying for a minimum of three consecutive nights at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.• Holding a return flight from India.Travellers who meet the conditions will not have to pay an additional fee for the UAE entry visa under the programme.How the visa-free offer worksThe free visa is not an open-ended waiver available to every Indian traveller visiting the UAE. Instead, it is tied to eligible Abu Dhabi holiday bookings made through participating travel companies.DCT Abu Dhabi has provided travel partners with two routes for processing qualifying visas.Under the first arrangement, travel companies can work with a Destination Management Company (DMC) appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, with the tourism department covering the visa cost directly.Alternatively, travel partners can continue using their existing DMCs. In that case, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse the travel partner Dh285 for every visa issued under the programme.This means travellers should confirm with their travel agency or online booking platform that their package is participating in the scheme before making travel arrangements.Scheme targets 20,000 visasThe initiative will initially cover up to 20,000 visas between August and October as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its appeal among Indian tourists.India is already a major international tourism market for the emirate, and the latest incentive forms part of a broader strategy to deepen connections with Indian travellers and the country’s travel industry.According to DCT Abu Dhabi, the initiative follows efforts to improve air connectivity, expand partnerships with travel companies and create more opportunities for Indian visitors to experience the emirate.Why Abu Dhabi is targeting Indian travellersAbu Dhabi has been investing heavily in tourism, positioning itself as a destination that combines luxury hospitality, cultural attractions, entertainment and nature.For Indian visitors, the emirate offers attractions ranging from its museums and heritage sites to theme parks, beaches, luxury hotels and major entertainment destinations.The visa incentive could also make Abu Dhabi more attractive to travellers considering a short UAE getaway, particularly those looking for a holiday that combines sightseeing with entertainment and hospitality.“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,” said Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi.He said covering the cost of UAE entry visas would make it easier for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while giving travel partners an additional incentive to promote the emirate.Yousuf added that DCT Abu Dhabi expected the initiative to encourage more Indian visitors to spend longer exploring the emirate’s culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions.What Indian travellers should knowThe promotion is time-limited, running from August 1 through October 31, 2026, and is subject to the programme’s allocation of up to 20,000 visas.Travellers should therefore check with participating travel agencies or online travel platforms before booking to establish whether their package qualifies.The offer also does not mean that Indian passport holders generally no longer require a UAE visa. Rather, it is a targeted tourism promotion under which DCT Abu Dhabi covers the visa cost for qualifying bookings.With the initiative combining a hotel stay requirement with a visa-cost waiver, Abu Dhabi is effectively offering Indian travellers an additional financial incentive to choose the emirate for their next UAE holiday.
