RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Russia’s mutual visit visa waiver agreement has entered into force to boost tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries and support broader people-to-people engagement.
The Kingdom and Russia signed the mutual visa-exemption agreement on the sidelines of the Saudi–Russian Investment and Business Forum, held in Riyadh on Dec. 1, 2025.
It was inaugurated by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, minister of energy, and Alexander Novak, Russia’s deputy prime minister.
BACKGROUND
Saudi Arabia and Russia signed the mutual visaexemption agreement on the sidelines of the Saudi–Russian Investment and Business Forum, held in Riyadh on Dec. 1, 2025
The agreement reflects the shared commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia to strengthen ties and expand opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.
The waiver covers all passport types — diplomatic, special, and ordinary — and, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia is the first country with which the Kingdom has signed a mutual visa-exemption agreement that also includes ordinary passport holders.
Under the waiver, citizens of both countries may enter without a visa for visit purposes, including tourism, business, or visiting relatives and friends, and may stay for up to 90 days, either consecutively or in separate periods within a single calendar year.
The waiver does not apply to travelers entering for work, study, residence, or Hajj, for which the appropriate visa is still required.
The entry into force coincides with the two countries’ commemoration of 100 years of Saudi–Russian diplomatic relations.
It is expected to increase mutual visits and strengthen tourism, as well as economic and cultural cooperation, contributing to enhanced partnership between the two countries.
