Indian passport holders planning an Abu Dhabi getaway can now have their UAE entry visa fully paid for, provided they book through select travel firms and stay at least three nights in the emirate.
The offer comes from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), which has rolled out a trade initiative allowing partner agencies to bundle free visas into holiday packages. To qualify, a traveler must depart from India, book through a participating partner, reserve three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel, and hold a return flight home.
Agencies signing on can pick from two arrangements. One routes bookings through a Destination Management Company (DMC) appointed by DCT, which then handles visa costs directly. The other lets agencies keep their current DMC relationships, with DCT Abu Dhabi paying back AED 285 for every visa processed.
The window for the offer runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026. During this trial phase, the department has set aside funding for as many as 20,000 visas.
DCT Abu Dhabi frames the move as a way to lower the initial expense of visiting while handing agencies a stronger selling point. The program is open only to participating travel partners and online travel agencies, with eligible customers receiving the visa at no charge on qualifying three-night packages.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, tied the effort to the emirate’s standing in a key source market. “India continues to be one of our most important international markets, and we remain committed to working closely with our travel partners to make Abu Dhabi even more accessible for Indian travellers. By covering the cost of UAE entry visas, we are making it simpler for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while giving our travel partners another compelling reason to recommend the destination. We look forward to welcoming more visitors as they spend longer exploring Abu Dhabi’s culture, entertainment, hospitality and natural attractions.”
The visa funding builds on a broader push into the Indian market, one that has already seen the department work to widen air links and deepen its ties with the travel trade.
