Russia and Saudi Arabia introduce visa-free travel
Russia and Saudi Arabia introduce visa-free travel
07 April
An agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the mutual abolition of visa requirements will enter into force on May 11, 2026. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the document was signed on December 1, 2025, in Riyadh.
According to the agreement, Russian citizens will be able to stay in Saudi Arabia visa-free for up to 90 days per year, both cumulatively and continuously. The visa-free regime applies to both tourism and business trips.
However, visas remain mandatory for travelling for work or studies, and for performing Hajj and Umrah during the Hajj period. Meanwhile, Russia introduced a visa-free regime for Saudi Arabian citizens effective December 1, 2025.
The introduction of a visa-free regime coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and reflects the progressive development of bilateral cooperation.
The agreement comes into force one day before the opening of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum,” which will be held on May 12–17 in Kazan. Saudi Arabia is traditionally a key participant of the Forum.
Earlier, during a meeting with a delegation from Tatarstan in Riyadh in February 2026, the Kingdom’s Minister of Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, confirmed his intention to send an official delegation to participate in the KazanForum.
According to the agreement, Russian citizens will be able to stay in Saudi Arabia visa-free for up to 90 days per year, both cumulatively and continuously. The visa-free regime applies to both tourism and business trips.
However, visas remain mandatory for travelling for work or studies, and for performing Hajj and Umrah during the Hajj period. Meanwhile, Russia introduced a visa-free regime for Saudi Arabian citizens effective December 1, 2025.
The introduction of a visa-free regime coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and reflects the progressive development of bilateral cooperation.
The agreement comes into force one day before the opening of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum,” which will be held on May 12–17 in Kazan. Saudi Arabia is traditionally a key participant of the Forum.
Earlier, during a meeting with a delegation from Tatarstan in Riyadh in February 2026, the Kingdom’s Minister of Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, confirmed his intention to send an official delegation to participate in the KazanForum.
