Abu Dhabi Offers Visa-Fee Subsidy For Indian Tourists: Who Is Eligible, How To Get It

Indian travellers planning a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now have their UAE entry visa fee covered under a tourism initiative launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

The programme covers the AED 285 UAE entry visa fee for eligible Indian travellers who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holidays through participating travel partners. The offer is valid for travel until October 31, 2026.

The initiative is aimed at making Abu Dhabi more affordable for Indian tourists while encouraging longer stays in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Free Visa Offer: What Is The Benefit?

Under the programme, eligible Indian passport holders can receive a 30-day UAE tourist visa with the visa fee covered. The scheme will initially support up to 20,000 visas during the pilot period.

The initiative is not a blanket visa waiver for all Indian passport holders. Travellers must meet specific conditions and make their booking through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.

Who Is Eligible For The Abu Dhabi Visa Subsidy?

Indian travellers must meet the following conditions:

• Hold an Indian passport and depart from India.
• Book a return flight from India.
• Stay for at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
• Make the booking through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
• Complete the trip by October 31, 2026.

Visa approval remains subject to UAE immigration requirements, so an eligible booking does not automatically guarantee visa issuance.

Which Travel Partners Are Participating?

The programme is available through selected travel companies and online travel agencies. The participating partners include MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook & SOTC, Thrillophilia, Akbar Holidays, Utazzo.com, Kesari Tours, Riya Travels, Royal Tours, PickYourTrail and Aaryan Leisure, among others.

The official Experience Abu Dhabi website also lists participating partners, including MakeMyTrip, Thrillophilia, Akbar Holidays and PickYourTrail.

How Much Can Indian Travellers Save?

The visa benefit is worth AED 285 per eligible traveller. For families or groups, the saving can add up significantly because the visa cost is normally applicable to each traveller.

However, travellers will still have to pay for flights, accommodation, food, sightseeing and other holiday expenses.

Why Abu Dhabi Is Targeting Indian Tourists

India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s most important international tourism markets. The emirate recorded 436,124 Indian hotel guests in 2025, an increase of 22% from the previous year, according to DCT Abu Dhabi data cited by The Economic Times.

The visa subsidy is part of Abu Dhabi’s wider effort to attract more Indian visitors by working with airlines, online travel agencies and travel agents and by making holiday packages more competitive.

For Indian travellers already planning a three-night-or-longer Abu Dhabi trip before October 31, the offer can reduce the overall cost of the holiday, provided the booking meets the programme’s eligibility requirements.