Visa

Planning a trip to Russia from the UAE? Get to know the 2025 Russia visa process for UAE residents, requirements, processing time, and expert tips from Arooha Leisure. 

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world, where you can find history and architecture rich. Russia also offers an incredible natural wonder such as Lake Baikal, Golden Ring, Sochi. Russian tourism shows a growing number each year. As a traveler, you will find a variety of activities to do in Russia from Dubai that will suit your interests, whether you are interested in its iconic landmarks or unique cuisines, Arooha Leisure offer a variety of Russia tour packages from Dubai.

According to Tourism-Review, Russia welcomed around 65,300 visitors from the United Arab Emirates in 2024, and expected an increase in 2025. If you are planning to travel to Russia this 2025 from Dubai, here’s what you need to know about the visa related:

Russia Visa Free Countries

If you are travelling to Russia from Dubai, the needs of the visa will be based on your nationality. UAE residents do not require a visa to enter Russia. These are the following list of country that do not need to apply for a visa to enter Russia:

Abkhazia | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Argentina | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Armenia | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Azerbaijan | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Belarus | Unlimited stay

Bolivia | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Bosnia and Herzegovina | For tourists the period of stay should not exceed 30 days within each 60, for any other purposes – not more than 90 days; documents confirming the purpose of visit required

Brazil | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Brunei Darussalam | Period of stay not more than 14 days for non-commercial purposes (not for employment or study)

Chile | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Colombia | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Costa Rica | Period of stay not more than 90 days (not for holders of diplomatic and service passports)

Cuba | Up to 30 days

Dominican Republic | Period of stay not more than 60 days within 180 for non-commercial purposes

Ecuador | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Fiji | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Guatemala | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Guyana | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Honduras | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Israel | Period of stay is not more than 90 days within a year. There is an agreement between Russia and Israel on abolition of guest and tourist visas. For trips the passport valid not less than 6 months from the date of entrance is required. Presence of any other documents is not provided by the Agreement

Kazakhstan | Period of stay not more than 90 days. Allowed to enter on internal passports

Korea, Republic of | Period of stay does not exceed 60 days per a trip and is not more than 90 days within a year

Kyrgyzstan | Period of stay not more than 90 days. Allowed to enter on internal passports

Moldova | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Mongolia | Up to 30 days

Montenegro | Up to 30 days

Nicaragua | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

North Macedonia | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Peru | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purpose

Serbia | Period of stay up to 30 days for holders of biometric passports issued after April 8, 2008 

South Africa | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Tajikistan | Allowed to enter on internal passports. Period of stay not more than 90 days

Thailand | Up to 30 days

Turkey | Period of stay does not exceed 30 days per a trip and is not more than 90 days within six months

Ukraine | Period of stay not more than 90 days. Allowed to enter on internal passports

United Arab Emirates | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Uruguay | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes

Uzbekistan | Period of stay not more than 90 days within a year

Venezuela | Period of stay not more than 90 days within 365 for non-commercial purposes.

Countries for Russia E-Visa

Russia has been operating the E-Visa system, and it's preferred for  a short-term visit like tourism. Unlike the traditional visa, E-Visa doesn’t require an invitation letter or visit the consulate physically. Russia E-Visa is valid for 60 days from the issued date and it allows the visitor to stay up to 16 days for a single entry. These are the following list of countries that can apply for Russia E-Visa:

Austria

Barbados

Bahrain

Belgium

Bulgaria

Bhutan

Cambodia

China (including Taiwan)

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Eswatini

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Kenya

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Monaco

Myanmar

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Oman

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Saint Lucia

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turkey

Vatican

Vietnam

Zimbabwe

E-Visa Requirements for visiting Russia

UAE residents traveling to Russia from Dubai will require a  visa. UAE nationals should apply for a tourist visa, which is typically valid for 30 days. Russia issues other types of visas such transit visas, business and humanitarian visas.These following list are the documents that required:

Passport

Passport validity must be at least six months after the departure day from Russia. Prepare the passport and have two vacant spaces to place the visa stamp. If your visa does not meet the requirement, the visa application can only be processed after the renewal of the passport.

Photograph

You need to prepare a digital photo that has white background and is taken no older than 6 months. Also, make sure the face covers up 70-80% of the photo.

Prepare travel insurance that is valid during your stay in Russia. It might not require you to submit for the E-Visa, but will be required upon Russian immigration when you enter the country. Be prepared with travel insurance that is valid during your stay in Russia and a valid UAE Residence as u apply the visa from Dubai. These two documents might not be required by the time you submit for the Russia E-Visa, but will be required upon your arrival in Russian immigration. 

Applying for Russia E-Visa

Russia E-Visa can be applied though the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. It will usually take 4 calendar working days since the day of submission. Russia E-Visa fee is approximately AED 150 and payment can be made by bank card. 

If you are not eligible for the Russia E-Visa, you can apply for the Russia Traditional Visa. Applying for this visa typically through the Russian Federation in Dubai. You need to prepare documents such as Passport, UAE Residence, Photograph, Hotel Voucher, Return Air Ticket, Medical Insurance, Proof of Financial Means and Tourist Voucher or Visa Support Letter. The processing times may vary, particularly depending on your nationality for residents, make sure to apply well in advance and review the criteria before applying, as you may require additional paperwork.

Sometimes working on a visa applicant can be overwhelming, especially if the application is rejected. For years, Arooha Leisure's expert team specializes in managing travel and global visas. Let Arooha Leisure arrange your Russia travel with just one click away!

#RussiaVisa #RussiaEVisa #TraveltoRussia #RussiafromDubai

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