Free UAE entry visa for Indian tourists booking 3-night Abu Dhabi holidays
On August 10, 2026, DCT Abu Dhabi said Indian passport holders travelling from India can get their UAE entry visa free of charge when booking an Abu Dhabi holiday of at least three nights under a new tourism initiative. The pilot programme will run from August 1 to October 31, 2026, and will initially cover up to 20,000 visas.
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Abu Dhabi has rolled out a free visa pilot scheme for Indian travellers, identified rising travel costs as the biggest obstacle facing Indian households looking to visit the emirate. The decision followed direct feedback from Indian trade partners during a senior-level visit to Abu Dhabi in May. Indian passport holders travelling from India can get their UAE entry visa free of charge when booking an Abu Dhabi holiday of at least three nights. The pilot programme runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, and will initially cover up to 20,000 visas. Travellers using the scheme must stay in Abu Dhabi for a minimum of three nights before the end of October. Early bookings are encouraging, with some reflecting interest in timing trips around Diwali. India remains Abu Dhabi's top international source market, alongside China and Russia. Many Indian travellers holding a valid US, UK or European visa already qualify for visa-on-arrival in the UAE.
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Reported by: Khaleej Times 15 Sept 2026 Read the original ↗ More from Khaleej Times →
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Khaleej Times (UAE).
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15 Sept 2026.
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Read the original at Khaleej Times: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/free-abu-dhabi-visa-for-indians-early-bookings-are-encouraging-says-senior-official
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