Published: August 11, 2026
Abu Dhabi has launched a new travel initiative offering an Abu Dhabi free visa to eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying holidays in the emirate.
Under the programme, eligible Indian tourists can receive a 30-day UAE tourist visa without paying the visa fee, provided they meet the programme requirements. The initiative is designed to encourage more Indian travellers to visit Abu Dhabi during the promotional period.
What is Abu Dhabi’s free visa offer for Indians?
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has introduced a pilot programme under which participating travel partners can offer complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian tourists.
The programme applies to Indian passport holders who book an Abu Dhabi holiday of at least three consecutive nights through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.
The visa normally costs around Dh285, but the cost will be covered under the programme for eligible travellers.
Who is eligible for the free UAE visa?
The programme is available to Indian passport holders travelling from India who book a qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday.
According to the latest details, the booking must include:
- An Abu Dhabi hotel stay of at least three consecutive nights
- A return flight from India
- Booking through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
- Travel during the programme period
The complimentary visa is not a general UAE visa waiver for Indian citizens. Travellers must meet the conditions of the promotional programme.
How long is the free UAE visa valid?
Eligible travellers will receive a 30-day UAE tourist visa through participating tour and travel operators.
The programme’s travel window runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026. Importantly, these dates refer to the actual travel period.
Travellers cannot simply book the qualifying package before October 31 and postpone their trip until after the deadline while still claiming the complimentary visa under this programme.
Can tourists visit Dubai and other emirates?
Yes. The complimentary visa is a UAE entry visa, so eligible visitors can travel within the UAE during their permitted stay, including visiting Dubai, Sharjah and the other emirates.
However, the three-night Abu Dhabi holiday requirement still applies to qualify for the promotional offer. In other words, visitors can explore other emirates during their UAE trip, but they should not assume that staying outside Abu Dhabi removes the conditions attached to the promotional booking.
Travellers should also keep their passport and valid entry-permit details with them while travelling within the UAE. The UAE Government confirms that visa and entry-permit rules apply at the federal level, while visa-status services are handled through ICP for Abu Dhabi and the other non-Dubai emirates and through GDRFA for Dubai.
Also Read: Dubai Tourist Visa for Indians: A Step-by-Step Guide
Is the free visa available to all Indian tourists?
The offer is available to Indian passport holders booking eligible Abu Dhabi holidays, but travellers must satisfy the programme conditions.
A qualifying holiday must include a minimum three-night stay in Abu Dhabi, and the booking must be made through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.
The visa is also subject to UAE immigration requirements and approval. Therefore, booking an eligible holiday does not automatically guarantee visa approval.
How can Indian tourists get the free visa?
Travellers cannot simply apply independently for the complimentary visa.
The offer is being distributed through participating travel agencies, tour operators and online travel agencies.
Eligible travellers should select a qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday package through one of the participating partners. The travel partner will then process the visa through the applicable arrangements.
DCT Abu Dhabi has said that details of participating operators are expected to be announced.
How much can Indian tourists save?
The visa fee covered under the programme is approximately Dh285 per eligible traveller.
For a family travelling together, the saving can therefore be higher because the programme does not impose a separate limit on the number of complimentary visas per family or booking, provided each traveller meets the eligibility requirements.
However, the overall pilot programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas.
Also Read: UAE Waives Tourist Visa Fees for Children Under 18
Is the visa guaranteed after booking?
No.
This is an important point for travellers.
An eligible holiday booking does not automatically guarantee that the UAE visa will be approved. Applications remain subject to the applicable immigration requirements and approval by the relevant authorities.
Travellers should therefore avoid making non-refundable arrangements based solely on the assumption that the visa will be automatically issued.
Can families get the free visas?
Yes, there is no stated limit on the number of complimentary visas per family or booking.
However, every traveller must meet the programme requirements, including the qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday and minimum three-night stay.
The overall pilot remains capped at an initial allocation of up to 20,000 visas.
When does the Abu Dhabi free visa programme end?
The current pilot programme covers travel between August 1 and October 31, 2026.
DCT Abu Dhabi has not yet confirmed whether the initiative will continue after October.
The programme’s impact will be assessed after October before a decision is made about its future.
What Indian travellers should know before booking
Indian travellers considering the offer should check the following before paying for a holiday package:
- Confirm that the travel company is participating in the programme.
- Make sure the package includes at least three consecutive nights in Abu Dhabi.
- Confirm that the travel dates fall between August 1 and October 31, 2026.
- Check that the return flight requirement is satisfied.
- Confirm that the complimentary visa is included in the package.
- Ask about the visa processing timeline.
- Ensure all passport and travel information is accurate.
- Remember that visa approval remains subject to UAE immigration rules.
These checks can help travellers avoid confusion over what is actually included in their holiday package.
Abu Dhabi free visa for Indians: Key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligible nationality | Indian passport holders |
| Travel origin | India |
| Destination | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Minimum hotel stay | 3 consecutive nights |
| Visa type | 30-day UAE tourist visa |
| Visa cost covered | Approximately Dh285 |
| Travel period | August 1–October 31, 2026 |
| Initial programme capacity | Up to 20,000 visas |
| Application route | Participating travel partners/OTAs |
| Visa approval | Subject to UAE immigration requirements |
The details above are based on the latest information reported on August 11, 2026.
Final takeaway
Abu Dhabi’s new complimentary visa programme gives eligible Indian tourists an opportunity to save around Dh285 on a UAE tourist visa when booking a qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday.
However, this is not a blanket free-visa scheme for every Indian traveller. The offer requires an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday, including a minimum three-night stay, and the visa remains subject to immigration approval.
With the current travel window ending on October 31, 2026, Indian travellers interested in the offer should check participating travel partners and confirm all conditions before booking.
For more info visit the official https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan-your-trip/travelling-to-abu-dhabi/getting-a-visa