UAE Visa for Russian
For nationals of Russia, the United Arab Emirates is one of their favorite destinations. But for many, it’s an unexpected destination for visa applications. Since a UAE Visa for Russian Citizens can be easy to get, you might need some convincing before you start looking for the solutions. Our UAE Visa For Russian Citizens blog will guide you through everything you need to know about UAE VISA FOR RUSSIAN CITIZENS!
The UAE visa for Russian citizens is mainly used to visit the United Arab Emirates. There are different kinds of UAE visas that you can apply for while in this country. They depend on your purpose and how long you plan to stay there. If you want to study at UAE universities, then you should apply for an educational visa, which allows a maximum of one year. If you want to work there, then you need to apply for an employment visa.
If you are a citizen of Russia and you are planning to travel to the United Arab Emirates, then you should know that it is not easy to get an UAE visa. In fact, the UAE visa process is very complex and it can take several months to complete. This process includes an interview with immigration officials and submitting all necessary documents including your passport and other identification documents.
To obtain an UAE visa, you need to apply for it at least two weeks before your trip date. You will also need to make sure that your passport has at least six months remaining validity from when it was issued as well as proof of your financial stability (such as bank statements).
Once you have completed these steps, you can schedule an appointment with the immigration office so that they may review your application and decide whether or not they will grant you an UAE visa.
W VISA-ON-ARRIVAL RULE FOR RUSSIAN VISITORS TO THE UAE
Russian visitors to the UAE will soon be granted visas on arrival at all entry points to the country.
The ruling will provide citizens of the Russian Federation entry visas for 30 days for the first time, renewable one time only for another 30 days, as per UAE regulations.
UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved the decree for the visa rule last week.
It is hoped the relaxation of visa rules for Russian citizens will strengthen economic and tourism ties between the two countries, and improve the UAE’s international competitiveness as a global hub for tourism and trade.
UAE tourism executives have welcomed the move, saying it will boost Russian tourism to the country.
“Russian travellers normally make a decision for travelling abroad at the last moment and a visa on arrival will help them to choose the UAE as a vacation destination and increase arrivals,” Edward Grigoriev, the country manager for Russia and CIS markets at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), told local media.
“It will help to minimise travel costs and increase the budget segment of travellers to the UAE from Russia and give more business access not only to luxury beachfront properties, but city hotels as well.”
The UAE has received more than 600,000 Russian tourists in the past two years.
Dubai received 210,000 visitors from Russia during the first 11 months of 2016 alone, up 10 percent from 191,000 during the same period in 2015.
It’s the fifteenth largest tourism source market for Dubai, according to the latest data from Dubai Tourism.
UAE carriers currently operate 56 flights per week between the two countries. This number is expected to increase after the decree comes into force.
The UAE is Russia’s most important trading partner in the GCC region. In 2015, non-oil trade between the two countries was worth $2.45 billion.
Do I Need a Separate Dubai Visa if I Have a UAE Visa?
No, you do not. There is actually no separate “Dubai Visa” since Dubai is not a country on its own; it is part of the UAE. If you have a visa allowing you to enter the UAE, then you can travel to any of its emirates, Dubai included.
Do I Need a Separate Abu Dhabi Visa if I Have a Dubai/UAE Visa?
Abu Dhabi is one of the seven emirates making up the UAE, as well as the capital. As such, if you are planning on visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you do not need to get a separate visa for each. If you are a visa-required national, you only have to apply for a UAE Tourist Visa and you can visit all seven of its emirates, including Abu Dhabi.
If you are exempt from UAE Tourist Visas, the process is even simpler since you can travel with just your passport.
What are the Types of UAE Visas?
The four main types of visas that the UAE offer are:
- UAE Tourist Visas, which, as the name suggests are issued for tourism purposes or any other purpose which is shorter than 30 days and does not require you to take up employment and long-term residence in the UAE.
- UAE Residence Visas are for foreigners who wish to relocate to the UAE. This includes:
- Long-Term Residence Visas (Investor Visa), which is issued for a period of 5-10 years and does not require a sponsor. However, you must invest a substantial amount of money in the UAE to qualify for this type of visa.
- UAE Transit Visas, which are issued to foreigners who have to transit through the UAE. These types of visas are issued for 48 or 96 hours.
What is a UAE Residence Visa?
Foreigners who want to move to the UAE need to have a Residence Visa. However, prior to that, they must also obtain an Entry Permit. The difference between an entry permit and a residence visa for the UAE is:
The UAE Residence Visa is the document you have to obtain after you are already in the UAE with an Entry Permit and want to stay longer than the number of days the permit allows. Your sponsor (who must meet GDRFA’s requirements) has to apply for your Residence Visa.
UAE Visa Requirements
When applying for a tourist visa for the UAE, you must have several documents to support your application, such as:
- Photocopies of your passport and the passport of your sponsor. You need a passport that has at least 6 months validity.
- Photocopy of the passport’s relevant pages. In some cases, you may not need to submit your original passport at all. You may include photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport (or all the pages on your passport).
- Passport-size pictures, in line with UAE visa photo requirements.
- If you are a female travelling alone: A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your father or husband.
- A confirmed round-trip airline ticket or an airline ticket for onward travel. If you are applying through an airline, the ticket must be from that airline.
- Proof of accommodation, such as your hotel.
- Proof of purchased travel medical insurance for UAE
- A letter from you, stating the purpose and duration of your visit
- Proof of legal residence in your country (ie. your visa or residence permit). This only applies if you are not a citizen of the country in which you are living.
- If you have a host:
- Proof of your relationship to the host
- Proof of their residential status: A copy of your host’s UAE Resident Visa and/or their Emirates ID
- Proof of their financial status: Certified copy of their work contract or their salary certificate
- Proof of previous travels:
- If you have been to the UAE in the last year, submit copies of the entry and exit stamps on your passport
- Copies of any visas to the USA, UK, Schengen Area, Canada, Russia, Australia or New Zealand you have received within the past 5 years
- You may also be required to provide:
- Proof of your financial status
- Proof of your current address
- Marriage certificate
- Any additional documents required by the relevant visa issuing authorities in Dubai/UAE
How to Apply for a Visa for UAE?
Unlike most countries, the UAE does not issue visas through its embassies or consulates overseas. Additionally, you cannot submit a UAE Visa application yourself – you must have a sponsor in the UAE or apply through an authorized agency to submit it on your behalf, such as:
- A host or sponsor who is living in the UAE.
- A licensed travel agency through which you purchase the travel ticket. Travel agencies in your country may also be collaborating with a local tour operator in the UAE and offer tourist packages. Make sure that the travel agency you hire is reputable and licensed before you pay them.
- The hotel in which you are staying in the UAE.
- One of the following airlines provided that you’ll be flying with them:
Where to Apply for a UAE Visa?
UAE visa applications can be submitted either online or in-person at one of the following agencies:
- Through the eChanel portal of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – ICA ,through which hosts, travel agencies or other sponsors can apply for a UAE Visa on your behalf. (online only)
- Through the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA (online and in-person).
- The websites of the GDRFA in each emirate:
- Mobile apps:
Conclusion
The UAE visa requirement for Russian citizens is not as complicated as it used to be a few years ago, when you had to either be sponsored by an employer or have enough money in your bank account to deposit around 25000 USD for 2 years (the amount of the deposit depended on your profile and circumstances). Nowadays, obtaining an UAE tourist visa is possible without too much trouble, but there are still some issues that should be addressed.
