The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting tourism from India by continuing its visa-fee subsidy program. As of September 2, 2026, eligible Indian passport holders can receive a waiver on the Dh285 UAE tourist visa fee when booking specific holiday packages. This initiative is limited to the first 20,000 visas and applies to travel completed by October 31, 2026.
- Visa-fee subsidy program extended for Indian travelers until October 31, 2026.
- Limited to the first 20,000 visas for travel completed by October 31, 2026.
- Eligible travelers must book specific holiday packages through 11 participating travel partners.
To qualify,
travelers must book a package that includes a return flight from India and a minimum of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel. Bookings must be made through one of 11 participating travel partners: Holiday Tribe, Thomas Cook & SOTC, Thrillophilia, Akbar Holidays, Utazzo.com, Kesari Tours, Riya Travels, Royal Tours, PickYourTrail, MakeMyTrip, and Aaryan Leisure.
Independent hotel bookings, individual flight tickets, or self-applied visas do not qualify for the subsidy.The subsidy does not equate to visa-free entry;
all applicants remain subject to standard UAE immigration evaluation and approval processes. Valid passport documentation and adherence to immigration history checks are mandatory. There is no fast-track or guaranteed entry status provided by this program. For families,
the savings can reach Dh1,140 for a group of four. However, every individual traveler must meet the eligibility criteria, and visa approval is determined on a case-by-case basis. The program is strictly for travel originating from India and does not cover stays in other Emirates or trips starting from third countries. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, stated on September 2 that the department remains focused on collaborating with airlines, online travel agencies, and travel partners to strengthen the Indian market.
Travelers are advised to obtain written confirmation from their chosen partner that the package is enrolled in the DCT Abu Dhabi visa subsidy program before completing payment.