The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has launched a complimentary entry visa pilot program for Indian passport holders traveling from India. The initiative, running from August 1 to October 31, 2026, aims to cover up to 20,000 visas in its initial phase. To qualify, travelers must book a holiday package through a participating travel partner or online travel agency that includes a minimum of three consecutive nights in an Abu Dhabi hotel and a return flight from India. Individual visa applications or self-filed requests do not qualify for the subsidy.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi officials, participating travel partners can either process visas through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company, where the cost is covered directly by the authority, or use their existing DMC partners, in which case a reimbursement of up to Dh285 per issued visa is available. This program is part of a broader strategy to boost the Indian tourism market, which experienced a 10% year-on-year decline in 2026 due to regional conflicts.
Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT, stated on September 15 that the program was developed after feedback from Indian travel partners indicated that high airfares and currency depreciation were significant barriers to travel. While early response to the pilot is encouraging, particularly for the upcoming Diwali period, officials warn that the benefit is not a general free visa for all.
Travelers are advised to obtain written confirmation from their agency regarding the package's eligibility under the DCT pilot before making payments. Furthermore, the authority noted that Indian travelers possessing valid US, UK, or European visas who may already be eligible for a visa-on-arrival should verify their status through official UAE immigration channels before booking. Because the pilot is capped at 20,000 visas and concludes on October 31, 2026, travelers are urged to verify that their package includes the visa waiver, covers the required hotel stay, and aligns with their travel dates to ensure the subsidy is applicable.
