If you are planning an Abu Dhabi holiday in the coming months, then you may save on your UAE visa costs under a new tourism initiative that offers eligible visitors an entry visa at no additional charge.
The programme, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India. However, there is a catch: simply booking a flight to the UAE will not qualify you for the free visa.
Here’s what Indian travellers need to know before planning their trip.
When Is The Free UAE Visa Offer Available?
The programme is running from August 1 to October 31, 2026 and will initially cover up to 20,000 visas.
Under the initiative, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the cost of entry visas for eligible travellers who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel partners or online travel agencies (OTAs).
Who Is Eligible For The Free UAE Entry Visa?
The offer is specifically available to Indian passport holders departing from India.
To qualify, travellers must meet three key requirements:
- Book an Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
- Stay for at least three consecutive nights at a hotel in Abu Dhabi
- Have a return flight from India
If the holiday package meets these requirements, the UAE entry visa will be provided at no additional cost.
Can You Get The Free Visa If You Book Your Trip Independently?
Not under this particular programme. The initiative has been developed specifically for participating travel partners and online travel agencies.
This means travellers should check whether their chosen travel company is participating in the DCT Abu Dhabi initiative before paying for the package. Booking a hotel and flight separately may not make you eligible for the offer.
How Does The Free Visa Scheme Work?
Travellers do not have to bear the visa cost when booking an eligible package. Behind the scenes, participating travel companies can process visas through one of two arrangements.
They can use a Destination Management Company appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, with the department directly covering the visa cost. Alternatively, travel partners can continue using their existing destination management companies, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing Dh285 for each visa issued.
For travellers, the key point remains the same: if their booking qualifies under the programme, there should be no additional charge for the entry visa.
What Should You Check Before Booking?
Before making a payment, confirm with the travel partner that the package is covered under the DCT Abu Dhabi free-visa programme. Also check that the hotel stay is for at least three consecutive nights and that your travel dates and return flight meet the eligibility conditions.
Since the initiative initially covers only 20,000 visas and runs until October 31, travellers planning to use the offer should also confirm its availability at the time of booking.
The scheme could make an Abu Dhabi holiday more affordable for Indian travellers, but remember: the visa is not automatically free for every Indian visitor to the UAE. Eligibility depends on booking a qualifying Abu Dhabi package through a participating travel partner or OTA.
