Abu Dhabi waives UAE visa fee for Indian tourists booking three-night holiday packages

The pilot covers up to 20,000 visas worth Dh285 ($77) each, saving qualifying travelers approximately $1.5 million in total visa costs through October 31

Indian tourists booking a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now have their UAE entry visa covered at no cost under a pilot program launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The program, which runs from August 1 through October 31, 2026, covers the full Dh285 ($77) visa fee for qualifying bookings made through participating travel partners and online travel agencies, according to Gulf News.

Before this initiative, Indian nationals visiting Abu Dhabi had to pay the standard UAE entry visa fee of Dh285 (approximately $77) on top of their flights and accommodation. The program removes that cost entirely for travelers who meet the eligibility criteria, though it does not change the underlying visa requirement itself. Indian passport holders still receive a visa; DCT Abu Dhabi simply picks up the bill. The pilot is capped at 20,000 visas, which at the Dh285 per-visa rate amounts to roughly Dh5.7 million ($1.5 million) in direct subsidies flowing into the tourism pipeline.

Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, described India as one of the emirate's most important international markets and said the visa subsidy gives travel partners an additional reason to steer bookings toward Abu Dhabi. Indians represent the UAE's largest expatriate community, making up roughly 35 percent of the total population, with approximately 800,000 residing in Abu Dhabi alone. The program builds on recent efforts to strengthen air connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi and expand the network of travel trade partnerships.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for the UAE?

Yes. Indian passport holders require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. The standard options include a 30-day tourist visa, a 60-day tourist visa, and a multiple-entry visa, all applied for through airlines, travel agencies, or UAE-based sponsors. The DCT Abu Dhabi program does not introduce visa-free entry or change any immigration rules. It is a tourism subsidy that covers the cost of the visa for travelers who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages. Travelers who do not book through a participating partner or whose booking does not meet the program requirements will continue paying the standard visa fee.

How does the free visa program work?

The program operates exclusively through participating travel partners and online travel agencies. Travelers cannot apply for the visa subsidy independently or directly through DCT Abu Dhabi.

Participating partners have two processing routes. They can work through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), in which case DCT Abu Dhabi covers the visa cost directly without the partner handling reimbursement. Alternatively, partners that prefer to continue working with their existing DMC can do so, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing them Dh285 ($77) per visa issued for qualifying bookings.

To qualify, a booking must include all three elements: the traveler must hold an Indian passport, the package must include a return flight departing from India, and the stay must cover a minimum of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel. Bookings that include hotels in other emirates but not in Abu Dhabi do not qualify, and the program does not extend to travelers departing from countries other than India, even if they hold an Indian passport.

How much does a UAE visa normally cost for Indian travelers?

The standard UAE entry visa that DCT Abu Dhabi is covering under this program costs Dh285 (approximately $77). This is the fee that would normally be charged as part of the visa processing through airlines, travel agents, or DMCs. The program does not affect fees for other visa types, such as long-stay visas, work visas, or transit visas, which are processed through separate channels and remain at their standard rates.

Since the pilot is capped at 20,000 visas and runs only through October 31, 2026, travelers should confirm availability with their travel partner before assuming the subsidy will apply to their booking. Once the cap is reached or the program window closes, the standard fee will apply again.