Two Main 'Free Visa' Offers to Know
When people talk about a 'free UAE visa,' they are usually referring to one of two separate government-supported initiatives designed to boost tourism. It is important to understand the difference, as they cater to different travellers and have separate timelines.
The first is a visa fee waiver for children under 18 from any country who are travelling with a parent. This is a recurring summer programme. The second is a specific, limited-time offer from Abu Dhabi that covers the entire visa cost for eligible Indian tourists who book a qualifying holiday package. This is not a blanket visa-free entry policy but rather a targeted subsidy.
Offer 1: Free Visa for Indian Tourists in Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is running a promotional scheme specifically for Indian passport holders. Under this programme, the government covers the full cost of a UAE entry visa, which is approximately Dh285. This initiative is a pilot programme and is initially limited to the first 20,000 applicants. To be eligible, travellers must book a complete holiday package through a participating travel partner or an online travel agency like Thomas Cook. You cannot apply for this free visa independently; it must be part of the package.
Dates and Booking Rules for the Abu Dhabi Offer
This promotion is valid for travel between August 1, 2026, and October 31, 2026. The key requirements for eligibility are straightforward but strict. Your booking must include a return flight from India and a hotel stay of at least three consecutive nights in Abu Dhabi. Simply booking a flight without the required hotel stay will not qualify you for the visa cost waiver. The goal of the programme is to encourage tourists to spend more time exploring the capital, so short transit visits are not covered.
Offer 2: Summer Visa Fee Waiver for Children
The second major initiative is an annual, UAE-wide policy that waives the tourist visa fee for children under the age of 18. This offer is not restricted to any nationality and applies to any child accompanying a parent who is travelling to the UAE as a tourist. This year, the waiver is active from July 15, 2026, to September 15, 2026. To take advantage of this, the child's visa application must be submitted at the same time as the parent's application. This applies to both 30-day and 60-day tourist visas.
What You Still Need to Pay For
It is important to note that 'free visa' does not mean there are zero costs involved. In the case of the summer waiver for children, families will likely still need to pay for mandatory travel insurance and any service charges levied by the travel agency processing the application. These service charges can be around AED 120 per child, depending on the agency. For the Abu Dhabi offer for Indian tourists, the visa fee itself is covered, but all other travel costs—flights, accommodation, and personal expenses—are the responsibility of the traveller. The value of the waived visa is the primary saving.
How to Apply and Plan Your Trip
For the Abu Dhabi offer, the first step is to contact a participating travel agency or browse packages on approved online travel portals. Confirm with them that the free visa promotion is included in your holiday package before you make a payment. For the child visa waiver, ensure your travel agent is aware you are applying under the summer promotion. You can also apply through official channels like the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website or smart app, where you should select the 'family tourist visa' option. Always have your documents ready, including passport copies, photos, and flight and hotel confirmations.
