Indian travellers planning a holiday to the UAE have a new opportunity to save on visa costs through a limited-time tourism initiative launched by Abu Dhabi. Under the programme, eligible Indian passport holders can receive a complimentary UAE entry visa when they book a qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.
However, travellers should note that this is not a general visa-free entry policy for all Indian citizens. The offer is linked to specific Abu Dhabi holiday bookings and eligibility requirements.
When is the offer available?
The initiative runs from 1 August to 31 October 2026. It is being introduced as a limited tourism promotion and is initially expected to cover up to 20,000 eligible Indian travellers.
The programme is designed to encourage more visitors from India to choose Abu Dhabi for their international holidays.
Who is eligible?
The offer is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India who book an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
One of the most important conditions is the accommodation requirement. The qualifying holiday package must include a minimum stay of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel. Travellers must also have a return flight from India as part of the eligible travel arrangement.
Meeting these conditions does not mean that every applicant will automatically receive a visa. The visa remains subject to the applicable UAE entry requirements and approval process.
How does the complimentary visa work?
Under the programme, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) covers the cost of the UAE entry visa for qualifying bookings.
Participating travel companies can process the visa through an appointed destination management company. Reports also indicate that participating travel companies may continue using their existing DMC arrangements, with DCT Abu Dhabi reimbursing the eligible visa cost.
The reported reimbursement amount is AED 285 per eligible traveller.
Travellers should therefore confirm with their travel agent or participating booking platform that their particular package qualifies for the promotion before making payment.
Three-night Abu Dhabi stay is important
The three-night hotel requirement is one of the central conditions of the programme.
Travellers planning only a short transit or a holiday without an eligible Abu Dhabi hotel stay should not assume that they qualify for the complimentary visa.
The promotion is specifically designed to encourage travellers to spend time in Abu Dhabi rather than simply use the emirate as an entry point for another destination.
Is this a three-month UAE visa?
This is another point travellers should understand clearly.
The three-month period refers to the duration of the promotional programme, from August 1 to October 31, 2026, rather than giving every eligible Indian traveller an automatic three-month UAE stay.
The actual visa issued to an eligible traveller will depend on the applicable UAE visa and immigration requirements.
How to book
Indian travellers interested in the offer should follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday.
Step 2: Confirm that the package includes at least three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel.
Step 3: Ensure that the travel arrangement includes a return flight from India.
Step 4: Book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
Step 5: Ask the travel provider to confirm eligibility for the complimentary UAE entry visa before completing the booking.
Step 6: Submit the required passport and visa documents through the participating travel provider.
Step 7: Wait for the visa application to be processed and approved before travelling.
Limited availability
Travellers should also act early because the programme is initially limited to 20,000 visas. Availability may therefore become restricted as the promotion progresses.
The offer provides an attractive opportunity for Indian tourists planning an Abu Dhabi holiday, particularly those who were already considering a three-night or longer stay.
What travellers should remember
The most important point is that this should not be described as unrestricted visa-free travel to the UAE for Indians.
The complimentary visa is connected to an eligible Abu Dhabi tourism booking, and travellers must satisfy the programme’s conditions and normal immigration requirements.
Indian travellers should check the latest requirements with their participating travel provider and the relevant UAE authorities before booking or travelling.
For travellers planning a UAE holiday in August, September or October 2026, the programme could provide a useful saving while encouraging visitors to explore Abu Dhabi’s attractions, hotels, cultural sites and entertainment destinations.
Visa2Travel recommends confirming the eligibility and availability of the complimentary visa before making non-refundable travel arrangements.
