The Consular Department of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has circulated a request from the Russian Consulate General in Dubai: applicants who cannot attend a scheduled consular appointment should cancel it in advance. The message concerns unused appointment slots, sometimes described as “no-show” or inactive bookings, which prevent other people from using available times.

Who the request concerns

The request is addressed to people who already have an appointment at the Russian Consulate General in Dubai and do not plan to attend. A consular appointment is a pre-booked time for applying for or receiving a consular service, such as submitting documents or resolving another matter handled by the consulate.

The published message does not state that a new requirement has been introduced. It also does not announce penalties for missing an appointment, changes to visa procedures, or special consequences for applicants who do not cancel. Its practical purpose is to encourage applicants to release slots they will not use.

What to do before your scheduled visit

First, check whether you can still attend at the date and time shown in your appointment confirmation. If you cannot attend, cancel the booking in advance rather than simply failing to appear. The notice does not specify a minimum number of hours or days before the visit when cancellation must be made.

The cancellation method should be verified through the official resources of the Russian Consulate General in Dubai or the appointment system used for your booking. Do not assume that replying to an email, calling a general number, or making a new booking automatically cancels the existing appointment unless the official instructions say so.

What this means for visas, entry and border documents

This notice does not change the rules for entering Russia. It does not set out new requirements for an electronic visa, a regular visa, an invitation, border documents, migration registration after arrival, or residence-related procedures. If your planned consular visit concerns a Russian visa or another travel document, check the requirements for that specific service separately.

Before submitting a visa application or arranging travel, confirm the applicable procedure with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs where relevant, or the specific Russian consulate where you will apply. Nationality, country of application, application channel, fees, processing periods and required documents are not stated in this notice and must be checked with the competent authority.

A reminder for applicants at other Russian missions

The Consular Department noted that unused appointments are a problem for many Russian foreign missions. However, the published information is a request connected with the Russian Consulate General in Dubai. It does not state that identical cancellation rules, deadlines or procedures apply at every Russian embassy or consulate abroad.

If you hold an appointment at another Russian mission, use that mission’s official website and its own booking instructions. Check whether the appointment can be cancelled online, whether a confirmation is issued after cancellation, and whether you need to take any further action before booking a new date. Keep any cancellation confirmation for your records.

Что проверить

  • Review your appointment date and time at the Russian Consulate General in Dubai.
  • If you cannot attend, cancel the appointment in advance.
  • Check the official consulate resource or the booking system for the correct cancellation method.
  • Do not rely on this notice as a source of visa, entry or migration-registration requirements.
  • For visa category, documents, place of application, cost and timing, verify the details with the Russian Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry or the relevant Russian consulate.
  • If you have an appointment at another Russian mission, follow that mission’s own published instructions.