Free UAE Visa for Indian Tourists Valid for 30 Days Under New Abu Dhabi Scheme

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a limited-period initiative offering complimentary 30-day UAE tourist visas to eligible Indian passport holders. The scheme, running from August 1 to October 31, 2026, covers the full cost of a standard 30-day tourist visa (normally AED 285) for travellers who book qualifying holiday packages. In its pilot phase, the programme will support up to 20,000 visas.

To qualify, Indian travellers must book through one of the authorised travel partners (including MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook & SOTC, Thrillophilia, Akbar Holidays, Holiday Tribe, Kesari Tours, Riya Travels and others), stay a minimum of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel, hold a return flight from India, and complete travel within the August–October 2026 window. The free visa is linked to the holiday package and cannot be claimed through independent applications. All Indian passport holders meeting these conditions are eligible, with no restriction on the number of family members travelling together, subject to the overall 20,000-visa limit.

DCT Abu Dhabi said the move aims to strengthen ties with the Indian market, one of the UAE’s largest sources of visitors, by making short holidays more accessible and encouraging longer stays in the capital. Travellers interested in the offer should contact participating agencies promptly, as places under the pilot are limited and bookings must result in travel by the October 31 deadline.