Abu Dhabi Offers Free UAE Entry Visas for Indian Tourists Booking Three-Night Trips

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a new promotion offering complimentary entry visas for United Arab Emirates. It is available for eligible Indian passport holders booking holiday packages in the emirate. The initiative runs from 1 August to 31 October 2026 and aims to make travel to the UAE capital more affordable for Indian visitors. Under this initial scheme, DCT Abu Dhabi will cover the full visa cost for up to 20,000 travellers during the three-month period. The promotion applies specifically to package bookings made through partner travel agencies and online travel platforms.

Who is Eligibile for Free UAE Visa?

To qualify for the visa fee waiver, travellers must meet specific booking conditions set by the tourism authority. The key criteria include:

Indian Passport: Applicants must hold a valid Indian passport and be departing directly from India.
Minimum Hotel Stay Duration: The booking must include a stay of at least three consecutive nights at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Return Ticket: The Abu Dhabi itineraries must include a confirmed return flight back to India.
Approved Booking Platforms: Packages must be booked through participating travel partners or online platforms rather than submitted independently.

Programme Overview and Specifications

The initiative links the visa benefit directly to holiday package bookings. The pilot scheme aims in helping to reduce upfront expenses for families and travellers coming here for a short-break.

Category	Specification
Valid Period	1 August 2026 to 31 October 2026
Eligible Nationality	Indian passport holders travelling from India
Minimum Hotel Stay	3 consecutive nights in Abu Dhabi
Visa Cost Benefit	Fully covered or reimbursed up to AED 285 per visa
How Many Travellers Can Avail	Up to 20,000 visas

Processing for Travel Operators

Travel operators handling these bookings can process the complimentary visa through two primary methods. Agencies can choose to work through a destination management company appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, where visa fees are covered directly by the authority.

Agencies can also use their existing partners and receive a reimbursement of AED 285 for each eligible visa issued.

Tourism officials noted that India remains one of Abu Dhabi's key international source markets. The scheme aims to simplify travel logistics and encourage visitors to spend longer exploring the city's cultural landmarks, theme parks, and coastal attractions.

However, this promotion requires adherence to regular UAE immigration laws. It does not grant automatic visa-free entry for all Indian nationals. Applicants going for flight-only bookings, staying fewer than three nights in Abu Dhabi will still be required to pay standard visa processing fees.