The UAE will grant visas on arrival to Russian visitors following the approval of a cabinet decree by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to state news agency WAM

Russians will be granted a 30 day entry visa on arrival, renewable one time only for another 30 days.

It was unclear from when visas on arrival would be granted.

The UAE received more than 600,000 Russian tourists in the past two years and there are 56 weekly flights between the two countries.

Russia has long been considered one of the UAE’s most important tourist markets, but traveller numbers have been hit in recent years by an economic downturn in the country linked to Western sanctions.

The number of Russian visitors is expected to rise following the decree, according to WAM.

The UAE also granted visas on arrival to Chinese citizens last year.

Source: albawaba.com