Kamal Ghorui
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 bilateral travel access.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 easing travel and strengthening ties. The move follows a mutual visa exemption deal signed on December 1, 2025, during the Saudi-Russian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh.Under the arrangement, nationals from both countries will be allowed to enter without a visa for short-term visits. Travellers 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, offering greater flexibility and encouraging closer people-to-people connections between the two countries.However, the Ministry clarified that the visa-free policy does not extend to travel for work, study, residency, or religious purposes such as Hajj. Individuals travelling for these purposes will still be required to obtain the appropriate visas in advance.The move is expected to simplify travel procedures while supporting broader cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia across tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
