Two Main Free Visa Offers Explained
As of August 2026, there are two primary 'free visa' promotions travellers should be aware of. The first is a programme launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) specifically for Indian passport holders. The second
is a long-standing annual initiative by the UAE government that waives visa fees for children under 18 travelling with their parents during the summer. Both offers are designed to boost tourism but operate under very different rules. It's important not to confuse them, as eligibility for one does not grant eligibility for the other. These are not blanket visa-free entry policies but targeted subsidies where a specific cost is covered under certain conditions.
The Abu Dhabi Offer for Indian Travellers
This offer, running from August 1 to October 31, 2026, is a pilot programme where DCT Abu Dhabi covers the full UAE entry visa cost for eligible Indian tourists. However, this is not a direct-to-consumer giveaway. The free visa is exclusively tied to a qualifying holiday package. To be eligible, an Indian passport holder must book their trip through a participating travel partner or an online travel agency. The package must include a return flight departing from India and, crucially, a minimum stay of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel. A flight-only or hotel-only booking will not qualify for the free visa. The programme is also capped at the first 20,000 visas, so booking early is advisable.
The Summer Visa Waiver for Children
The second major promotion is a recurring summer offer that applies to all nationalities. Families visiting the UAE can get a visa fee waiver for children under the age of 18. For 2026, this offer is valid for travel between July 15 and September 15. To qualify, the child must be travelling with at least one parent, and their visa application should be submitted along with the parent's. This waiver applies to the government's visa fee itself, which can be for a 30-day or 60-day tourist visa. However, travellers should be aware that this does not mean the entire process is free. Families may still be required to pay for mandatory travel insurance and any service charges levied by the travel agency processing the application.
How to Apply and What to Watch For
For the Abu Dhabi offer for Indians, you cannot apply for the visa independently through an official government portal and expect the fee to be waived. The process is handled entirely by the travel partner you book with. They will either process the visa through a DCT-appointed company or get reimbursed for the cost, which is around Dh285. For the children's visa waiver, applications can often be made through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) e-systems by selecting the "tourist family visa" option. Always confirm with your chosen travel agency that they are participating in the specific programme and that your booking meets all the requirements before you make a payment.
Other Visa Options to Consider
If you don't qualify for these specific free offers, there are other routes to consider. Indian passport holders who have a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, or EU can get a 14-day visa on arrival for a fee. The UAE also offers transit visas for travellers with long layovers. Etihad Airways, for instance, facilitates applications for 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas for passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi, though these come with a fee. These short-stay visas are an excellent option for those looking to get a quick taste of the city but are not part of the 'free' promotions discussed.
