Russian tourists to the UAE will now be granted visa on arrival at all entry points to the Emirates, said a report.

The cabinet decree proposing the granting of entry visas to citizens of the Russian Federation was approved by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said a report in WAM.

Under the decree, citizens of the Russian Federation are granted an entry visa for 30 days for the first time, renewable one time only for another 30 days, as per UAE regulations.

The decree will enhance strategic co-operation and the common ambitions of the two countries. It will also create new horizons of economic and touristic co-operation serving common interests and goals, as it strengthen the UAE’s international competitiveness as a vibrant economic, commercial, and tourist hub in the region.

The UAE ranks first in the GCC states as Russia’s most important business partner, and is considered the 10th largest foreign investor in Russia, with projects valued at Dh66 billion ($17.9 billion) up to 2014.

During 2015, the non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh9 billion ($2.4 billion), and the UAE is investing around Dh18 billion ($4.8 billion) in infra-structures in Russia. The average growth of foreign non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia over the past 5 years is 31 per cent.

The UAE has received more than 600,000 Russian tourists in the past two years, and there are 56 weekly flights between the two countries by UAE National carriers. This number is expected to rise after the issuance of the decree and its positive impact on trade and tourism.