"India continues to be one of our most important international markets, and we remain committed to working closely with our travel partners to make Abu Dhabi even more accessible for Indian travellers. By covering the cost of UAE entry visas, we are making it simpler for Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi while giving our travel partners another compelling reason to recommend the destination."

In a significant move to boost international tourism and expand its footprint in South Asia, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially launched a travel trade campaign offering complimentary United Arab Emirates entry visas to eligible Indian passport holders. Running from August 1 through October 31, 2026, the three-month pilot program covers up to 20,000 visas, translating to a total subsidy value of roughly AED 5.7 million ($1.5 million) aimed at lowering the upfront travel expenses for prospective Indian visitors.

Under the terms of the program, Indian tourists departing from India can receive their UAE entry visa at no additional charge—a savings of AED 285 ($77) per person—when purchasing a qualifying holiday package. To be eligible, the booking must be made through participating travel agencies or online travel agencies (OTAs) and must include a return flight from India alongside a minimum stay of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel. Direct consumer applications are not eligible, as the initiative has been deliberately structured to leverage travel trade distribution partners to drive longer stays rather than transit-only visits.

To facilitate smooth operations across the travel sector, DCT Abu Dhabi has provided travel companies with two processing pathways for qualifying customer bookings. Participating agencies can opt to process entry visas through a DCT-appointed Destination Management Company (DMC), which allows the tourism department to absorb the visa fee directly upfront. Alternatively, travel partners choosing to maintain their existing DMC relationships can submit claims to receive a standard AED 285 reimbursement per issued qualifying visa.

The policy reflects Abu Dhabi's strategic emphasis on India, which remains one of the emirate's largest and fastest-growing source markets for international leisure and business travel. Commenting on the initiative, Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized that India continues to be an essential pillar of their tourism strategy. He noted that by removing visa costs for families and holidaymakers, Abu Dhabi aims to simplify travel decision-making while giving travel trade partners a compelling advantage when promoting the destination. The pilot complements recent efforts by the emirate to expand direct flight connectivity and deepen trade ties across major Indian metropolitan hubs.