What is the duration of Abu Dhabi's visa cost coverage scheme for Indian tourists?

The scheme is active from August 1, 2024, until October 31, 2026, or until the allocation of 20,000 visas is reached.

Who is eligible for the covered UAE entry visa under this new programme?

Indian passport holders flying from India are eligible if their trip is booked as a package through a DCT Abu Dhabi-partnered travel agency or online platform, includes a return flight, and guarantees a minimum of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.

What is the normal cost of the UAE entry visa that DCT Abu Dhabi is covering?

The normal cost for a UAE entry visa, which DCT Abu Dhabi is covering for eligible travellers, is AED 285.

How does Abu Dhabi plan to cover the visa costs for travel agencies?

Travel agencies working with DCT Abu Dhabi-appointed destination management companies will have visas paid for upfront, while those using their own existing partners will be reimbursed AED 285 per visa issued under the programme.

What are Abu Dhabi's overall tourism goals by 2030, which this scheme supports?

The programme supports Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million annual visitors and AED 90 billion in annual tourism-linked economic output.

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Policy·12 August 2026

Abu Dhabi Funds Visa Costs for Indian Tourists Under New Scheme

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is covering the cost of UAE entry visas for eligible Indian tourists, aiming to boost hotel stays from a key market.

Abu Dhabi has launched a new initiative, active from August 1 to October 31, 2026, offering to cover the cost of UAE entry visas for up to 20,000 eligible Indian passport holders. The scheme, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is designed to encourage longer hotel-based stays in the emirate.

Eligibility Requirements

This is not a blanket waiver; specific conditions must be met for Indian travellers to qualify. The offer targets Indian passport holders flying from India who book their trip as a package through a travel agency or online platform officially partnered with DCT Abu Dhabi. Independent visa applications are not covered.

Key eligibility criteria include:

Booking a return flight from India.
A stay of at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.

Short layovers or single-night stays do not qualify for the programme.

How the Visa Cost is Covered

The standard UAE entry visa typically costs AED 285. DCT Abu Dhabi will cover this fee for each qualifying traveller. The method of payment depends on the travel agency's operational model:

Agencies working with destination management companies appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi will have the visa paid for upfront.
Agencies partnering with their own existing destination management companies will be reimbursed AED 285 for each visa issued under the programme.

Boosting Tourism and Economic Goals

The initiative follows a strong performance by the Indian market, which was Abu Dhabi's largest international hotel source in 2025, contributing 436,124 hotel guests. This represented 13% of the total and a 22% increase over 2024 figures. Abdulla Yousuf, DCT Abu Dhabi's director of international operations, stated, "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."

This programme aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million annual visitors and generate AED 90 billion in tourism-linked economic output by 2030. Travellers are advised to confirm with their travel agency that their specific package qualifies and that the visa fee waiver is applied before finalising payment, as the 20,000-visa allocation could be exhausted before the October 2026 deadline.

Frequently asked

Questions, answered

What is the duration of Abu Dhabi's visa cost coverage scheme for Indian tourists?: The scheme is active from August 1, 2024, until October 31, 2026, or until the allocation of 20,000 visas is reached.
Who is eligible for the covered UAE entry visa under this new programme?: Indian passport holders flying from India are eligible if their trip is booked as a package through a DCT Abu Dhabi-partnered travel agency or online platform, includes a return flight, and guarantees a minimum of three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
What is the normal cost of the UAE entry visa that DCT Abu Dhabi is covering?: The normal cost for a UAE entry visa, which DCT Abu Dhabi is covering for eligible travellers, is AED 285.
How does Abu Dhabi plan to cover the visa costs for travel agencies?: Travel agencies working with DCT Abu Dhabi-appointed destination management companies will have visas paid for upfront, while those using their own existing partners will be reimbursed AED 285 per visa issued under the programme.
What are Abu Dhabi's overall tourism goals by 2030, which this scheme supports?: The programme supports Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million annual visitors and AED 90 billion in annual tourism-linked economic output.

Reported by

Google News — Dubai Tourism & Hotels

View original coverage

This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.

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