Saudi Arabia, Russia launch 90-day visa-free travel deal
New agreement enables tourism, business and family visits under simplified entry framework
DUBAI – Saudi Arabia and Russia have officially brought into force a mutual visa exemption agreement, marking a significant shift in travel relations between the two countries.
The arrangement became effective on Monday, May 11, 2026, enabling citizens of both nations to travel without visas for short stays. It applies to all categories of passports, including diplomatic, special and ordinary documents.
The agreement also aligns with the 100-year commemoration of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Moscow, highlighting a long-standing partnership entering a new phase of mobility and exchange.
Visa-free travel
Under the new framework, citizens of Saudi Arabia and Russia can travel visa-free for tourism, business activities, or personal visits to friends and relatives. Travellers are permitted to stay for up to 90 consecutive days per visit, or for multiple stays that do not exceed a combined total of 90 days within a single calendar year. The agreement is notable for extending visa-free access to holders of ordinary passports, making Russia the first country to achieve such an arrangement with the Kingdom across all passport types.
Officials have indicated that the initiative is expected to significantly increase mutual travel flows, supporting stronger tourism links and facilitating business engagement. The move is also positioned as a step towards deeper cultural interaction between the two populations, encouraging greater familiarity and cooperation across multiple sectors.
Restrictions apply
Despite the broad travel facilitation, the exemption does not cover individuals travelling for employment, long-term residency, academic study, or religious pilgrimage. Separate visa requirements will continue to apply for those categories, including Hajj-related travel, which remains governed by existing regulatory procedures.
Authorities on both sides have emphasised that the agreement is strictly intended for short-term visits and does not alter established immigration frameworks for long-term stays. The arrangement preserves existing safeguards while simplifying entry for eligible travellers under defined conditions.
Diplomatic milestone
The activation of the agreement during the centenary year of diplomatic relations adds symbolic weight to the development. It is widely viewed as a reinforcement of growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia across economic, tourism, and cultural domains.
The policy shift is expected to encourage more frequent exchanges, strengthening bilateral engagement and supporting broader international connectivity initiatives as both countries expand their global partnerships.