Vietnam Visa for Russian Passport Holders in Dubai
Do Russian passport holders in Dubai need a visa for Vietnam?
No for visits of up to 45 days — Russian passport holders are visa-exempt in Vietnam for a stay of up to 45 days per entry under Vietnam's unilateral visa-exemption scheme, which applies regardless of passport type or purpose of visit. This exemption is based on Russian nationality, not on UAE residency: a UAE residence visa neither grants nor removes it. Two things move a Russian traveller outside the exemption: a stay longer than 45 days, or moving to Vietnam to live, work or study long-term — for a longer visit the route is the online Vietnam e-visa (USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple, valid up to 90 days) at evisa.gov.vn, while long-term work or study needs a sponsored visa. The e-visa is processed in about three working days and must be arranged before travel. Two cautions are specific to this route: the 45-day cap is per entry, not a running total, so it resets if you exit and re-enter; and the exemption is a TEMPORARY scheme currently set to run until 14 March 2028 — re-confirm it on the official portal before booking, especially for travel close to or after that date, as the policy can be renewed or changed.
Key Takeaway
- No for visits of up to 45 days — Russian passport holders are visa-exempt in Vietnam for a stay of up to 45 days per ent...
- Channel: Visa-free up to 45 days per entry (to 14 Mar 2028) — e-visa beyond that
- UAE residency: No effect — exemption is by Russian nationality
- Exemption window: Temporary scheme, set to run until 14 March 2028
- E-visa fee (pivot case): USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple (~AED 92 / ~AED 184)
- Processing (e-visa): About 3 working days
- Source: Vietnam Government Portal — visa-exemption resolution, June 2026
Russian nationals are a substantial and growing community in the UAE, and Vietnam is one of the most popular long-haul-value destinations reachable from Dubai. For Russian passport holders the entry rules are unusually generous: Russia is one of the small group of countries Vietnam exempts from visas under its unilateral scheme, so a Russian passport holder can enter Vietnam visa-free for a stay of up to 45 days — one of the longest visa-free windows Vietnam offers, and far more than the e-visa route most nationalities must use.
There are two important qualifications. First, the 45-day exemption is a TEMPORARY scheme: the current period runs until 14 March 2028, after which it may be renewed, amended or ended — so it must be re-confirmed before travel, particularly for trips close to or after that date. Second, the exemption covers stays of up to 45 days per entry; a longer single stay, or moving to Vietnam to live, work or study, falls outside it and needs a visa.
This guide sets out exactly when a Russian passport holder in Dubai is visa-exempt, the expiry window to keep in mind, when an e-visa is required instead, and the e-visa process for that pivot case. OraVisa handles the Vietnam e-visa for Russian nationals in Dubai whose trip runs beyond the visa-free window.
Russian Passport Holders and Vietnam: Visa-Free up to 45 Days
A Russian passport is visa-exempt for entry to Vietnam for a stay of up to 45 days, under Vietnam's unilateral visa-exemption scheme for a small group of countries. The exemption applies regardless of passport type and purpose of entry, provided the standard entry conditions are met — no e-visa, no embassy application and no fee are required to enter within that window. This is one of the longest visa-free allowances Vietnam grants, and for Russian nationals it replaces the e-visa route used by most other nationalities.
Key Takeaways
- Russian passport holders are visa-exempt in Vietnam for up to 45 days per entry
- The exemption applies regardless of passport type or purpose of visit
- It is based on Russian nationality — UAE residency neither grants nor removes it
- It is a TEMPORARY scheme currently set to run until 14 March 2028 — re-confirm before travel
- Stays beyond 45 days, or long-term work/study, need a visa (e-visa or sponsored visa)
When a Russian in Dubai Still Needs a Vietnam Visa
The 45-day window covers most holidays comfortably, but two situations fall outside it. The first is a single stay longer than 45 days — you cannot enter visa-free and then extend, so a six- or eight-week trip needs a visa from the day you arrive. The second is purpose of a settled kind: while short visits for business or tourism are covered, moving to Vietnam to work, study or reside requires the appropriate sponsored visa. For a longer holiday the practical route is the online Vietnam e-visa, which is open to all nationalities and allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Russian Travel to Vietnam: Visa-Free vs E-Visa
| Your trip | Route | Fee | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any purpose, up to 45 days | Visa-free — no application (until 14 Mar 2028) | No visa fee | Up to 45 days per entry |
| Tourism, 46–90 days | Vietnam e-visa (single entry) | USD 25 (~AED 92) | Up to 90 days |
| Multiple separate trips | Visa-free repeats each entry, or e-visa (multiple) | No fee / USD 50 (~AED 184) | 45 days each / 90 days e-visa |
| Long-term work or study | Sponsored visa via employer/host | Varies by type | Per visa type |
Any purpose, up to 45 days
- Route
- Visa-free — no application (until 14 Mar 2028)
- Fee
- No visa fee
- Maximum stay
- Up to 45 days per entry
Tourism, 46–90 days
- Route
- Vietnam e-visa (single entry)
- Fee
- USD 25 (~AED 92)
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
Multiple separate trips
- Route
- Visa-free repeats each entry, or e-visa (multiple)
- Fee
- No fee / USD 50 (~AED 184)
- Maximum stay
- 45 days each / 90 days e-visa
Long-term work or study
- Route
- Sponsored visa via employer/host
- Fee
- Varies by type
- Maximum stay
- Per visa type
The 45-day exemption is per entry, not a running total — it resets when you exit and re-enter. It is a temporary scheme currently set to expire on 14 March 2028; confirm the current rule before booking.
How Russians Apply for the Vietnam E-Visa
When an e-visa is needed — typically for a stay longer than 45 days — the process is entirely online, with no embassy visit and no need to submit your physical passport. You apply at the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, uploading a passport-bio-page scan and a passport-style photo, and pay the government fee of USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa (valid up to 90 days) or USD 50 for multiple entry. Approval is typically issued in about three working days, after which you print the e-visa to present on arrival. Travellers planning to leave and re-enter Vietnam within one trip should choose the multiple-entry option.
The Expiry Window, Conditions and Common Mistakes
Russian Visa-Free Entry to Vietnam — Conditions & Catches
| Item | Requirement | Russian-specific note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages | Any passport type qualifies for the 45-day exemption |
| Stay limit | Up to 45 days per entry | Per entry, not a running total — resets on re-entry |
| Scheme validity | Unilateral exemption set to run until 14 March 2028 | A temporary scheme — re-confirm for travel near or after that date |
| Purpose | Any purpose within 45 days | Long-term work, study or residence still needs a sponsored visa |
| Beyond 45 days | Vietnam e-visa (up to 90 days) | Arrange before travel — about 3 working days |
Passport
- Requirement
- Valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages
- Russian-specific note
- Any passport type qualifies for the 45-day exemption
Stay limit
- Requirement
- Up to 45 days per entry
- Russian-specific note
- Per entry, not a running total — resets on re-entry
Scheme validity
- Requirement
- Unilateral exemption set to run until 14 March 2028
- Russian-specific note
- A temporary scheme — re-confirm for travel near or after that date
Purpose
- Requirement
- Any purpose within 45 days
- Russian-specific note
- Long-term work, study or residence still needs a sponsored visa
Beyond 45 days
- Requirement
- Vietnam e-visa (up to 90 days)
- Russian-specific note
- Arrange before travel — about 3 working days
The exemption can be renewed or amended by the Vietnamese government; the 14 March 2028 date reflects the scheme in force in 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official portal before booking.
Staying in Vietnam Longer than 45 Days? OraVisa Handles Your E-Visa
OraVisa prepares and submits the Vietnam e-visa for Russian nationals in Dubai whose trip runs beyond the 45-day visa-free window — getting the application right the first time.
Start My Vietnam E-VisaFrequently Asked Questions
Do Russian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
Not for visits of up to 45 days. Russian passport holders are visa-exempt in Vietnam for a stay of up to 45 days per entry under Vietnam's unilateral exemption scheme, which applies regardless of passport type or purpose. A visa — in practice the online Vietnam e-visa — is needed for a stay longer than 45 days, and a sponsored visa is needed for long-term work or study. The exemption is based on Russian nationality, not on UAE residency.
How long can a Russian stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Up to 45 days per entry. The limit is per entry, not a running total, so it resets if you exit and re-enter Vietnam. For a single stay of 46 days or more, apply for a Vietnam e-visa (USD 25 single entry, valid up to 90 days) before you travel.
When does Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption for Russians expire?
The current unilateral exemption is set to run until 14 March 2028. It is a temporary scheme that the Vietnamese government can renew, amend or end, so re-confirm it on the official portal before booking — particularly for travel close to or after that date.
Does UAE residency affect the Vietnam exemption for Russians?
No. The 45-day visa-free entry attaches to the Russian passport, not to where you live, so a UAE residence visa neither grants nor removes it. A Russian resident of Dubai enjoys the same exemption as a Russian travelling from Moscow, and likewise needs a visa once a single stay exceeds 45 days or is for long-term work or study.
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Written by
Priya Sharma
Senior Visa Consultant — Asia & Americas
Senior Visa Consultant specializing in Asian & American destinations. 8 years of experience with a proven track record in complex multi-country applications.
Expert reviewed by Ahmed Al Rashid
Senior Visa Consultant
Last updated: · 12+ years of visa consultancy experience
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