Saudi Arabia and Russia Visa-Free Travel Starts 11 May 2026: What You Need to Know

What the Saudi–Russia Visa-Free Arrangement Covers

Starting 11 May 2026, citizens of Saudi Arabia and Russia can visit each other’s country without a visa for up to 90 days per calendar year.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the date on 6 April 2026, after both governments completed their domestic ratification procedures.

The arrangement applies to all passport types: diplomatic, special or service, and ordinary. This makes Russia the first country to hold a mutual visa exemption with Saudi Arabia that includes regular passport holders.

You can use your 90 days in one go or spread them across multiple trips within the same calendar year. The permitted purposes include:

• Tourism and sightseeing
• Business meetings and conferences
• Visiting family and friends
• Cultural, scientific, economic and sports events
• Transit

What’s NOT Covered — Work, Study and Hajj Still Need Visas

The visa-free arrangement is strictly for short-term visits. If you’re planning to work, study or live permanently in either country, you still need to apply for the appropriate visa through the usual channels.

Hajj is also excluded. Russian citizens who want to perform Hajj must still apply for a dedicated Hajj visa through the official process. The visa-free arrangement does not cover religious pilgrimage.

You can search for flights to Jeddah, flights to Riyadh or flights to Moscow on Wego to compare prices and routes.

Sources

1. Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Saudi Arabia and Russia Sign Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption
2. Gulf News — Saudi Arabia and Russia Announce Visa-Free Travel From May 11
3. TASS — Visa-Free Travel Regime Between Russia and Saudi Arabia to Begin in Early 2026
4. Al Arabiya — Saudi Arabia and Russia Sign Mutual Visa Waiver Agreement
5. Saudi Gazette — Saudi Arabia, Russia Visa-Free Travel Begins May 11
6. TASS — Saudi Arabia Enters Top Three for Tourist Trips to Russia
7. Saudi Tourism Authority — Vision 2030 Tourism Strategy
8. Travel and Tour World — Azimuth Airlines Launches Direct Flights Between Russia and Saudi Arabia
9. AeroRoutes — Azimuth Plans Sochi–Riyadh May 2026 Launch

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.