Moscow and St Petersburg are a five-hour direct flight from Dubai, and Russia has become a regular trip for UAE residents. How you get in depends on your passport. Emirati citizens need no visa for stays of up to 90 days. Many expat passports, including Indian and Filipino, can use Russia’s unified e-visa. Others, including Pakistani passports, still apply through the Russian consulate or visa centre in the UAE.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ e-visa portal and published guidance for applicants in the UAE. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- The unified e-visa
- The consulate route
- After you arrive: registration
- Money: plan for cash
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Entry to Russia |
|---|---|
| UAE | Visa-free, up to 90 days |
| India | Unified e-visa (US$52) |
| Philippines | Unified e-visa (US$52) |
| Pakistan | Visa from the Russian Embassy, Consulate General or visa centre in the UAE |
| Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria | Check the e-visa nationality list; if not listed, use the consulate route |
| UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Not eligible for the e-visa; consulate route |
The e-visa is decided by nationality only. Your UAE residence matters for the consulate route: Russian missions in the UAE accept applications from people living legally here.
The unified e-visa
| Official portal | evisa.kdmid.ru (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| Fee | US$52, paid by card; free for children under 6; not refundable |
| Entries | Single entry |
| Stay | Up to 30 days from entry |
| Validity | 120 days from issue |
| Processing | Up to 4 calendar days, not counting the day you apply |
| Purposes | Tourism, business, family visits, events — no invitation needed |
- Apply at evisa.kdmid.ru — no agency is needed.
- Upload a passport scan and a photo, and enter your trip details.
- Pay US$52 by card.
- Print the e-visa notification and carry it with your passport.
Check your entry and exit points. The e-visa works only at listed checkpoints, which include the main Moscow and St Petersburg airports. Your exit point must also be on the list.
The consulate route
If your passport is not eligible for the e-visa, apply at the Russian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General in Dubai, or the Russian visa centre in the UAE. The consulate charges only its fee but appointments can be weeks away; the visa centre adds a service fee and is often easier to book. Either way, the consulate decides.
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip, with blank pages.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Online application form, printed and signed, and a photo.
- A tourist invitation (voucher and confirmation) from a Russian tour operator or hotel registered with the Russian authorities.
- Medical insurance valid in Russia.
Visa centres and consular sections change their opening arrangements from time to time. Confirm they are accepting applications before you book.
After you arrive: registration
Foreign visitors must be registered within 7 working days of arrival. Hotels do this automatically. If you stay with friends or in a private flat, your host must register you. Keep proof of registration until you leave.
Russia is also testing an optional RuID arrival notice, recommended at least 72 hours before entry, as an experiment running until the end of 2027. Medical insurance is not checked at the border for visa-free or e-visa visitors, but it is strongly recommended.
Money: plan for cash
Cards issued by UAE banks on the Visa and Mastercard networks generally do not work in Russia. Most UAE travellers carry enough cash — US dollars, euros or dirhams — to exchange on arrival, and some use cards on other payment networks. Plan your budget before you leave, because you cannot rely on withdrawing money with a UAE card in Russia.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using an agency for the e-visa when the official portal costs US$52.
- Entering or leaving through a checkpoint not listed for the e-visa.
- Staying with friends without being registered.
- Travelling with only a UAE debit card.
Questions people ask
Do UAE citizens need a visa for Russia?
No. Emirati passport holders can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Can Indians in Dubai get a Russia e-visa?
Yes. India is on the unified e-visa list: US$52, up to 30 days, about 4 days to process.
How do Pakistani residents of the UAE get a Russia visa?
Through the Russian Embassy, Consulate General or visa centre in the UAE, with a tourist invitation from a Russian tour operator or hotel.
Related guides
- Kazakhstan visa for UAE residents
- Uzbekistan visa for UAE residents
- Azerbaijan visa for UAE residents
- Armenia visa for UAE residents
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation — unified e-visa portal: evisa.kdmid.ru
- Russiable — Russia e-visa guide, updated 19 September 2026; travelling to Russia from the UAE, updated 5 October 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.