UAE to grant Russian visitors visas on arrival

Tuesday, 31 January 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dubai (Reuters): The United Arab Emirates will offer Russian visitors visas on arrival in the country in a bid to boost tourism and trade, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday.

Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has approved a cabinet decree recommending Russians be granted visas as soon as they arrive, WAM reported.

The report did not say when the change would come into effect.

The UAE, home to global tourism hub Dubai, is keen to bolster trade and tourism as visitor numbers from once core markets, including Russia, have declined due to economic slowdowns and a strong dollar. The UAE’s dirham is pegged to the dollar.

Last September, the UAE granted visas on arrival to holders of Chinese passports.

Over 600,000 Russian tourists have visited the UAE over the past two years, according to WAM.