UAE Visa Free for Indians 2026: Indian travellers planning a UAE trip have a new offer from Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has started a special programme under which eligible Indian passport holders can get a UAE entry visa without paying the visa fee.
The offer is running from August 1 to October 31, 2026. It is not a general free visa for every Indian traveller. The benefit is linked to an eligible Abu Dhabi holiday booked through participating travel partners. The programme is part of Abu Dhabi’s effort to bring more Indian tourists to the emirate.
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Who Can Get The Free UAE Visa?
The offer is mainly for Indian passport holders travelling from India. The holiday must be booked through a participating travel agency or online travel partner connected with the Abu Dhabi tourism programme.
There is also a stay condition. Travellers must book a hotel in Abu Dhabi for at least three continuous nights. A return flight from India is also required for the offer.
The visa is processed through the participating travel company as part of the eligible holiday booking. Travellers cannot simply apply on their own and ask for the visa fee to be removed. Reports on the programme say the first 20,000 eligible travellers are covered under the scheme. The visa fee of AED 285 per eligible traveller is covered under the programme.
This can make the trip cheaper for Indian tourists who were already planning to visit Abu Dhabi. However, hotel, flight and other travel costs still have to be paid by the traveller.
How to Apply for a Passport Online?
People who do not have a valid passport will need to complete the passport process before planning their international trip. The application can be started online through the official Passport Seva website.
- The applicant has to register on the Passport Seva Portal by choosing “New User Registration”.
- After creating the account, the applicant can log in and select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport”.
- Personal details, family information and the present residential address must then be entered carefully.
- After submitting the form, the applicant can use the application details to continue with payment and appointment booking.
The government says online payment is compulsory for booking appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). Payment options include UPI, internet banking and debit or credit cards.
Once the payment is completed, applicants can choose an available PSK or POPSK appointment. The appointment confirmation is sent by SMS. Applicants should carry the required documents when visiting the passport centre.
Documents Needed For A Passport
- Identity proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card or Voter ID
- Address proof: Electricity bill or another accepted address document
- Date of birth proof: Birth certificate or another approved document
Applicants should check the current document list for their specific case before visiting the passport centre. The Passport Seva website also notes that Aadhaar alone may not be enough for passport processing in some locations, so applicants should carry the additional documents required for their application.
