Dubai – Mubasher: The UAE announced that Emiratis will have visa-free entry to Russia, following signing a mutual visa waiver agreement between the two countries in 2018.

Russia has started implementing the new visa policy on Sunday, 17 February.

“Citizens of the UAE from the regular passport holders can travel to the Federal Republic of Russia without prior visas as of Sunday, February 17, based on the agreement signed in the Russian city of Kazan on July 6, 2018,” the UAE embassy in Moscow said on Twitter.

The step reflects growing bilateral relations between the two oil-rich nations, opening new opportunities for UAE citizens in the areas of tourism, investment, trade and cultural exchange.

It is worth noting that the number of Russians who visited the UAE reached 579,608 in 2017, while the number of UAE tourists who visited Russia in 2016 stood at 1,085 visitors, according to UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The number of weekly flights between the two countries recorded 84, operated by UAE national carriers; namely Etihad, Emirates and flydubai.