Abu Dhabi Free Visa Pilot Boosts Diwali Travel Bookings for Indians
Abu Dhabi, September 17, 2026: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has reported an encouraging rise in travel bookings from India as its complimentary entry-visa pilot program gains momentum ahead of the Diwali season. The initiative allows eligible Indian passport holders to save Dh285 on a 30-day UAE tourist visa when booking a qualifying holiday package through participating travel partners.
- Travel window runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, with all travel completed by October 31 deadline
- Offer is capped at 20,000 complimentary visas
- Qualifying packages must include a minimum three-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi and a return flight from India
Program Requirements and Partners
The benefit cannot be claimed independently and must be processed through one of 11 approved partners: Holiday Tribe, Thomas Cook & SOTC, Thrillophilia, Akbar Holidays, Utazzo.com, Kesari Tours, Riya Travels, Royal Tours, PickYourTrail, MakeMyTrip, and Aaryan Leisure. While the program removes the cost of the visa, it does not guarantee automatic approval, as standard UAE immigration and security checks remain in effect.
Market Recovery and Family Savings
DCT Abu Dhabi Director of International Operations Abdulla Yousuf stated that the visa subsidy was introduced in response to feedback regarding high airfares and currency challenges. Although Indian arrivals to Abu Dhabi had seen a 10 percent year-on-year decline earlier this year, the market is showing signs of recovery. Families are advised that there is no specific per-family cap, potentially allowing a four-member family to save up to Dh1,140 in visa fees. However, because the total pool is limited to 20,000 visas, travelers should confirm slot availability and eligibility in writing with their travel agency before making payments. Travelers holding valid US, UK, or European visas should also verify their existing eligibility for visa-on-arrival, as that is a separate mechanism from this pilot program.