Free Abu Dhabi visa deal for Indians now available through 11 travel partners
Eligible bookings unlock 30-day UAE visas at no extra cost
ABU DHABI – Indian travellers planning a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now apply for a complimentary UAE tourist visa through 11 participating travel partners under a new tourism initiative.
The scheme covers the visa cost for eligible Indian passport holders who book an Abu Dhabi holiday meeting the programme requirements.
The pilot programme, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), applies to travel between August 1 and October 31, 2026. It will initially support up to 20,000 visas, giving eligible visitors a chance to save around Dh285 on the cost of a 30-day UAE tourist visa.
Here is what Indian travellers need to know before booking.
Participating agencies
The complimentary visa scheme is available through 11 participating travel partners. They are:
- Holiday Tribe
- Thomas Cook & SOTC
- Thrillophilia
- Akbar Holidays
- Utazzo.com
- Kesari Tours
- Riya Travels
- Royal Tours
- PickYourTrail
- MakeMyTrip
- Aaryan Leisure
Travellers must book an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday through one of these participating operators to benefit from the visa offer. The complimentary visa is linked to the qualifying holiday booking rather than being available as a standalone visa application.
Visa details
Eligible travellers will receive a 30-day UAE tourist visa through the participating travel and tour operators.
The scheme is aimed at Indian passport holders booking holidays in Abu Dhabi, with the qualifying package required to include a minimum stay of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
The programme also requires a return flight from India. Travellers therefore need to meet the holiday package conditions in addition to the standard requirements applicable to UAE tourist visas.
The visa is worth approximately Dh285, which DCT Abu Dhabi will cover under the initiative. For travellers who meet all the conditions, the amount does not have to be paid separately as part of the qualifying visa arrangement.
Travel dates
One of the key points for travellers is the August 1 to October 31, 2026 travel window.
The dates apply to the actual travel period, meaning the qualifying Abu Dhabi trip must take place between August 1 and October 31. Booking a holiday or securing a visa before October 31 does not make a traveller eligible if the trip itself is scheduled after the programme's closing date.
The pilot's overall limit is 20,000 visas. There is no stated limit on the number of complimentary visas per family or booking, provided each traveller meets the programme conditions, including the minimum three-night Abu Dhabi stay.
This means families travelling together can have multiple eligible applicants under the same qualifying holiday arrangement, subject to each person's visa requirements and approval.
Is approval guaranteed?
Booking an eligible holiday does not automatically guarantee visa approval.
All applications remain subject to applicable UAE immigration rules and requirements, with the final decision resting with the relevant government authorities. Travellers must therefore provide the required information and documents and meet the conditions for issuance of the UAE tourist visa.
Visa applications under the programme will follow standard processing timelines determined by the UAE immigration authorities. No separate expedited processing period has been specified for the complimentary visa offer.
Travellers should therefore allow sufficient time for their applications to be processed before their planned departure from India.
How it works
The visa benefit is processed through participating travel partners rather than through an independent application by the traveller.
Travel partners can use a Destination Management Company appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi, with the department covering the visa cost directly.
Alternatively, participating companies can continue working with their existing Destination Management Company partners. Under this arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse approximately Dh285 for each visa issued under the programme.
The arrangement allows travel companies to include the visa benefit within qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages while handling the application process for their customers.
After October
The complimentary visa initiative is currently a pilot programme running until October 31, 2026.
There is no confirmation yet on whether the offer will be extended beyond that date. DCT Abu Dhabi is expected to assess the impact of the three-month programme after October before deciding on any further steps.
For Indian travellers considering Abu Dhabi during the current window, the key requirements remain a booking through a participating partner, a minimum three-night stay in the emirate and a return flight from India, alongside approval under UAE immigration requirements.