Saudi Arabia and Russia have signed their first ever mutual visa-free travel agreement, enabling citizens of both countries to visit the other for tourism, business or family visits for up to 90 days per year.

The accord was finalised during the Saudi–Russian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh, with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirming that following ratification the policy could enter into force early next year.

Under the framework, existing visa requirements will be abolished for ordinary travellers.

The agreement excludes work, residence and study stays, and does not apply to Russian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

As part of the package, both countries also signalled plans to expand direct flights between them, a move expected to significantly enhance connectivity and travel flows.

Industry observers anticipate a substantial boost to tourism: analysts from Russia’s leading tour-operators association project that visitor traffic between the two countries could double or even triple once visa-free travel is implemented.

For Russia, the arrangement offers a chance to diversify tourism sources.

For Saudi Arabia, the deal supports broader strategic goals — reinforcing economic ties, promoting cultural exchange and advancing an increasingly outward-looking foreign policy.

The agreement comes amid a series of diplomatic and economic initiatives between Riyadh and Moscow, marking perhaps the closest yet in decades of cooperation.

It underscores a shared interest in fostering business, tourism and people-to-people links, as well as reflecting a mutual desire to deepen bilateral partnership in an evolving global context.

If ratified and implemented as planned, the visa waiver could take effect within months — presenting a new era of travel, trade and engagement between the world’s largest energy exporter and a major Eurasian power.