Abu Dhabi has launched a temporary visa-fee waiver programme for Indian tourists booking holidays of at least three consecutive nights in the emirate. The initiative, announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), runs until October 31, 2026, and covers up to 20,000 eligible visas. The move is aimed at making Abu Dhabi more accessible to Indian travellers and encouraging longer stays.
- Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Organisation: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Status: Pilot programme running from August 1 to October 31, 2026
- Who is affected: Indian passport holders travelling from India
- Stay requirement: Minimum three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- Visa cost covered: Dh285
- Initial limit: Up to 20,000 visas
- What’s next: Eligible travellers must book through participating travel partners or online travel agencies
Indian tourists can now get their UAE visa fee covered when they book an eligible three-night Abu Dhabi holiday. DCT Abu Dhabi introduced the programme as part of its efforts to attract more visitors from India, one of the emirate’s key international tourism markets. The offer is available from August 1 to October 31, 2026, subject to the programme’s eligibility conditions and the 20,000-visa limit.
The initiative could make Abu Dhabi holidays more attractive for Indian travellers planning a short break, particularly those interested in the emirate’s growing mix of cultural attractions, theme parks, beaches and entertainment venues.
Who can get the free UAE visa in Abu Dhabi?
The programme is specifically aimed at Indian passport holders departing from India.
Travellers must meet several conditions to qualify. Their holiday needs to be booked through a participating travel partner or online travel agency, and the package must include a hotel stay of at least three consecutive nights in Abu Dhabi.
They must also have a return flight from India.
This means the offer is not a general visa-free arrangement for all Indian nationals. Instead, it is a targeted incentive linked to qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday bookings.
How does the Abu Dhabi visa-fee waiver work?
DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the cost of the UAE entry visa for eligible bookings.
Travel partners have two ways to process the visas. They can work with a destination management company appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, with the department covering the visa cost directly.
Alternatively, participating partners can continue using their existing destination management companies. Under that arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for every qualifying visa issued.
For travellers, the key point is that there is no additional visa fee when the booking meets the programme requirements.
The offer is therefore handled through participating travel companies rather than as a standalone application that tourists can claim independently.
Why is India important for Abu Dhabi tourism?
India is already a major source market for Abu Dhabi.
According to Abu Dhabi’s tourism authorities, the emirate welcomed 26.6 million visitors in 2025. Hotels recorded Dh9.1 billion in revenue during the year, while the number of hotel guests reached 5.9 million.
Indian travellers made up a significant share of that market. Abu Dhabi recorded 436,124 Indian hotel guests in 2025, accounting for 13% of total hotel guests. The figure was also 22% higher than in 2024, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The emirate has also been expanding its air connectivity with India, helping support this growth.
That makes the new visa initiative more than just a holiday discount. It is part of a broader push to strengthen one of Abu Dhabi’s most important international visitor markets.
What can Indian tourists see in Abu Dhabi?
The three-night requirement gives visitors enough time to explore some of Abu Dhabi’s major attractions rather than treating the emirate as a quick stopover.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque remains one of the most popular cultural attractions. Indian visitors were the largest nationality group at the mosque in 2024, with 841,980 visits recorded.
Families can also plan trips around Yas Island’s theme parks and entertainment attractions, while Saadiyat Island offers museums, beaches and cultural experiences.
The emirate’s tourism offering is continuing to expand, with major attractions such as the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi adding to the city’s appeal for international visitors.
For travellers staying three nights or more, these attractions can be combined into a short city break rather than a single-day visit.
The programme benefits Indian travellers by removing the Dh285 visa cost from qualifying holiday bookings. It also gives travel companies another incentive to promote Abu Dhabi packages to customers in India.
For Abu Dhabi, the bigger objective is encouraging visitors to stay for at least three nights and spend more time in the emirate.
The pilot is limited to 20,000 visas, so the offer is not unlimited. Travellers interested in using it will need to check whether their chosen travel company is participating and whether their package meets all the conditions.
FAQs
Is the UAE visa free for Indian tourists in 2026?
Not generally. The Abu Dhabi programme covers the visa cost for eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holidays through participating travel partners.
How many nights must Indian tourists stay in Abu Dhabi?
The qualifying holiday must include a stay of at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
How much is the visa fee covered under the programme?
DCT Abu Dhabi will cover or reimburse Dh285 per eligible visa.
When does the Abu Dhabi free visa programme end?
The pilot programme runs from August 1 until October 31, 2026, subject to the available allocation of 20,000 visas.
Can travellers apply directly for the free visa?
The offer is linked to bookings made through participating travel partners and online travel agencies. Travellers should therefore check with their booking provider rather than assuming the waiver applies to an independent visa application.
Abu Dhabi’s temporary visa-fee waiver gives Indian travellers another reason to consider a three-night holiday in the emirate. With the programme running until October 31 and limited to 20,000 visas, eligible visitors will need to book through participating travel partners and meet the stay and flight requirements.
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