As part of its efforts to make travel to the emirate more accessible and encourage greater demand from the Indian market, Abu Dhabi rolled out a visa subsidy programme in August that will conclude in October. The initiative not only offers eligible Indian travellers an added incentive to visit the emirate but also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s engagement with Indian airlines, online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel trade partners to drive visitor growth.
Under the programme, the AED 285 visa fee is waived for eligible travellers staying for a minimum of three nights, while visitors receive a 30-day UAE visit visa. The benefit gives Indian travellers more flexibility to extend their trip and explore Abu Dhabi beyond a short stopover.
With 20,000 eligible visas allocated under the pilot, the initiative is also designed to generate fresh demand and give Indian travel agents and online travel agencies (OTAs) a stronger offer to promote Abu Dhabi.
Major players, including MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, Akbar Holidays and Thrillophilia are among the partners involved. The visa benefit can be combined with flights, hotels, attractions and experiences, turning the incentive into a complete holiday package rather than simply a visa offer.
The strategy builds on an already strong Indian market. Abu Dhabi welcomed 436,124 Indian hotel guests in 2025, up 22% from 2024.
According to Abdulla Yousuf, Director (International Operations), DCT Abu Dhabi, the emirate will continue working with airlines, OTAs, tour operators and travel agents across India to build on this demand.
The bigger goal is to encourage more Indians to choose Abu Dhabi as a holiday destination and stay longer.
For Abu Dhabi, the visa subsidy is therefore more than a cost-saving measure. It is a way to strengthen its India travel network, give partners a stronger booking proposition, and turn growing interest into actual arrivals.
For Indian travellers, the subsidy offers a timely opportunity to plan an Abu Dhabi holiday with the visa cost covered, while for the emirate, it is another push to turn growing Indian interest into more arrivals and longer stays.
