The mutual visa waiver for visits between Saudi Arabia and Russia took effect on Monday, marking a significant strategic step to strengthen economic and tourism openness between them.
The waiver helps save time and simplify procedures, and reduces costs for businesspeople, investors, and tourists, helping increase the frequency of direct travel and expanding opportunities for establishing business and investment partnerships.
On the business level, facilitating visa-free entry for up to 90 days gives Saudi and Russian companies greater flexibility to hold meetings, explore opportunities, and participate in trade fairs and economic events without bureaucratic complications, especially in sectors such as energy, industry, technology, tourism, and logistics.
This also boosts private sector confidence and encourages greater trade and joint investments.
The volume of trade between Saudi Arabia and Russia increased by more than 60% in 2024, reaching $3.8 billion. Both countries are taking accelerated steps to expand this trade and increase the volume of investments.
For tourism, the decision paves the way for more travel between the two countries, given the growing interest of Russian tourists in new Saudi destinations under Vision 2030, such as AlUla and the Red Sea, as well as entertainment and cultural events and tourist seasons. In return, Saudis are given greater flexibility to explore Russian cities, and cultural and natural destinations.
Facilitating movement
The agreement carries an important diplomatic dimension as it reflects the development of Saudi-Russian relations and their shift towards a deeper partnership at the economic, tourism, and cultural levels, in line with global trends aimed at facilitating the movement of people and deepening international cooperation.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, experts believe that the mutual visa waiver is a significant shift in relations as they are no longer limited to political coordination and energy, but are moving towards strengthening direct economic and tourism exchanges.
The experts said these steps often have a quick impact on investors and companies as they reduce procedural barriers and provide greater flexibility for holding meetings and exploring business opportunities, especially in sectors that attract mutual interest such as tourism, energy, technology, and logistics services.
Trade exchange
Dr. Salem Baajajah, an economics professor at King Abdulaziz University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the move will pave the way for investment and increase the volume of trade between the two countries, allowing businesspeople to discover commercial and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Russia.
From a tourism perspective, the agreement comes at an important time with the rapid development of the Saudi tourism sector under Vision 2030 as the Kingdom seeks to attract more international tourists and diversify its target markets, he added.
Economic researcher Fadwa AlBawardi told Asharq Al-Awsat the implementation of the mutual visa waiver is an important strategic step that deepens bilateral relations between the two countries at all levels.
The agreement is part of Saudi Arabia and Russia’s efforts to facilitate the movement of citizens and businesspeople, and to boost cultural and economic exchange, especially amid aspirations to achieve sustainable development and strengthen economic ties between the two sides, she went on to say.
