MAKHACHKALA, May 11 – RIA "Dagestan." Starting today, a visa-free regime between Russia and Saudi Arabia has come into effect, allowing citizens of both countries to travel more freely for tourism, business visits and family trips.
Under the new arrangement, Russian citizens can now stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days without a visa. As explained by Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the simplified entry procedure does not apply to work trips, study or long-term residence. Russian citizens still require a visa for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, which remain subject to separate quota and coordination procedures managed by authorized religious and travel organizations.
The same rules apply reciprocally to Saudi citizens wishing to travel to Russia. The agreement is expected to facilitate people-to-people contacts, strengthen bilateral economic ties and support tourism development between the two nations. Travelers are advised to verify entry requirements with official consular sources before departure, as implementation details may vary depending on purpose of visit and duration of stay.