The visa-free regime between Russia and Saudi Arabia will come into effect on May 11.

      April 6, 2026 16:00 Society Starting May 11, an agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia on mutual visa cancellation will come into effect. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as conveyed by 360.ru. According to the new rules, Russian citizens will be able to visit Saudi Arabia without a visa for up to 90 days annually, provided they do not reside, study, or work there. A special visa is still required for performing Hajj or Umrah. Similarly, Saudi citizens will be able to stay in Russia for up to 90 days without a visa. Earlier, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Russia's intention to further develop bilateral cooperation with the countries of the Persian Gulf. He emphasized that the Kremlin highly values relations with the states of this region, including Saudi Arabia. It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree introducing a visa-free regime for Chinese citizens, effective until September 14, 2026. China has also previously introduced similar requirements for Russian citizens: starting September 15, 2025, Russian travelers can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days. The introduced regime may be a step towards the complete abolition of visas between the two countries. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+