No Visa Needed: Russia-Saudi Agreement

On 11 May 2026, the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on mutual visa exemption for citizens of both countries entered into force. The document was signed in Riyadh on 1 December 2025.

Citizens of Saudi Arabia can now enter Russia without a visa for tourism or short-term visits, staying up to 90 days within any calendar year — either as one continuous trip or spread across multiple visits. This visa-free privilege applies as long as they do not engage in paid work, enroll in full-time study, or take up residency in the Russian Federation. For those travelling to Russia for employment, education, long-term residence, or to perform Hajj or Umrah specifically during the Hajj season, a relevant visa remains mandatory. As a reciprocal arrangement, Russian citizens enjoy the same visa‑free access to Saudi Arabia under identical terms and conditions.

The new visa‑free regime is expected to significantly boost tourism, business exchanges, and people‑to‑people contacts between the two countries, while maintaining separate entry rules for long‑term stays and religious pilgrimages during the Hajj period. Travellers from both nations are advised to check entry requirements before their trip to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement.