Saudi Arabia and Russia implement 90-day visa-free travel starting from May 11: Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces | World News

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 foreign ministry announced that the visa-free policy will come into effect as part of a broader agreement between the two countries aimed at facilitating travel and strengthening ties. Previously, a mutual visa exemption agreement was signed on December 1, 2025 during the Saudi-Russian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh.According to the arrangement, nationals of both countries will be able to enter the country without a visa for short-term visits. Travelers can stay up to 90 days in a year and can travel consecutively or multiple times.The exemption applies to tourism, business and family travel, providing greater flexibility and encouraging closer people-to-people ties between the two countries.However, the ministry clarified that the visa exemption policy does not apply to travel for work, study, residence or religious purposes such as Hajj. Individuals traveling for these purposes will still need to obtain the appropriate visa in advance.The move is expected to simplify travel procedures while supporting broader cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia in tourism, business and cultural exchanges.