Tezzbuzz Desk- This news is a relief for Indian tourists planning to visit Abu Dhabi. Now some eligible Indian travelers can get UAE entry visa without any extra charges. This facility is being provided under a special program launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
This offer will be applicable from 1st August to 31st October 2026. That is, DCT Abu Dhabi will bear the cost of UAE entry visa for tourists making eligible bookings under this scheme, which will last for about 92 days. However, this facility is not available to every Indian tourist and it will be necessary to fulfill the prescribed conditions.
Which Indian tourists will get the benefit?
The scheme is for Indian passport holders traveling from India to Abu Dhabi. To avail the free visa, tourists must book a holiday package through select travel partners or online travel agencies associated with DCT Abu Dhabi. The most important condition is that the package must include a minimum three consecutive nights' stay at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. Along with this, the package must also include return flights from India to Abu Dhabi and back to India.
This means that passengers making separate bookings only for hotels or only flights will not get the benefit of this scheme. Bookings must be made through a travel partner that participates in the DCT Abu Dhabi programme.
Special arrangements for travel partners also
Under this scheme, travel partners have been given two options for arranging visas. In the first option, they can work with the Destination Management Company (DMC) appointed by DCT Abu Dhabi. In such a case, the cost of the visa will be borne by DCT Abu Dhabi.
In the second option, travel partners can complete the visa process through their existing DMC partner. In such cases DCT Abu Dhabi will refund up to UAE Dirhams 285 for each visa issued. In Indian currency this amount comes to around Rs 7,390.
You will get benefit up to 20 thousand visas
This scheme has currently been started as a pilot program. Under this, initially a maximum of 20,000 UAE visas will be covered. It aims to increase the number of tourists visiting Abu Dhabi from India and strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector with Indian travel partners.
Waiver of visa fee under the scheme may result in some savings in the total travel expenses of eligible passengers. However, passengers will have to bear their own hotel, flight and other travel expenses.
Offer will be applicable till 31st October
If you are an Indian passport holder, traveling to Abu Dhabi from India and book a package consisting of a minimum of three nights hotel and return flights from an authorized travel partner, you may not have to pay separate fees for UAE entry visa under this scheme.
However, this offer will be applicable only till 31 October 2026 or up to the prescribed limit of 20,000 visas. Therefore, people planning a trip should check whether the travel agency in question is participating in this special DCT Abu Dhabi program before booking.
-
No Ghar Wapsi for Raja Singh, to face BJP in Goshamahal polls
-
Felt ‘sting of untouchability’ in purification ritual: Kharge
-
Saransh Jain’s India Call-Up Came At A Temple After 10 Years Of Waiting
-
Who Is Sukhbir Singh Badal? SAD Chief Attacked At Nanded Gurdwara
-
Sukhbir Badal Attacked With Kirpan At Nanded Gurdwara, PSO Also Injured
