Saudi Arabia and Russia/representative image
Starting May 11, citizens of Saudi Arabia and Russia will be able to travel between the two countries without a visa, marking a shift in the possibility of bilateral travel.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the visa exemption will come into effect as part of a broader agreement between the two countries aimed at facilitating travel and strengthening relations.
This step comes in the wake of the mutual visa exemption agreement signed on December 1, 2025, during the Saudi-Russian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh.Under this arrangement, citizens of both countries will be allowed visa-free entry for short-term visits. Travelers can stay for up to 90 days within a one-year period, either continuously or across multiple trips.The exemption applies to travel for tourism, business and family visits, providing greater flexibility and encouraging closer people-to-people contact between the two countries.However, the Ministry clarified that the visa exemption policy does not extend to travel for work, study, residence, or religious purposes such as Hajj. Individuals traveling for these purposes will still be required to obtain appropriate visas in advance.This step is expected to simplify travel procedures while supporting broader cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia through tourism, business and cultural exchange.
