The expert announced the strengthening of business contacts after the cancellation of visas with Saudi Arabia

The cancellation of visas between Russia and Saudi Arabia creates new opportunities for both tourists and the business community of the two countries. Kristina Tancura, CEO and Managing Partner of SKY Consulting Group, an expert on business development in the Middle East, head of the committee for work with the UAE and the Gulf States of the Association of Exporters and Importers, told Izvestia on December 1.

According to her, the main advantage will be the convenience and time savings that Russians and Saudis spent on visa paperwork.

"In addition, the mutual tourist flow is expected to increase. According to the results of the first nine months of 2025, Saudi Arabia is among the top 5 countries supplying tourists to Russia. And it was necessary to apply for visas. Now we should expect a multiple increase of two to three times. Especially in the summer months, when it is unbearably hot in Saudi Arabia, and the weather conditions in Russia are very comfortable," the expert noted.

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Why is the kingdom becoming more and more attractive for tourists

Tancyura recalled that the kingdom is actively developing its tourism infrastructure and already has serious plans to expand it. Saudi Arabia reached 29.7 million tourists in 2019, and plans to increase the flow to 53 million by 2027. Due to the signing of an agreement and favorable offers from tour operators, this is quite possible.

In addition, according to the expert, the kingdom invests significant resources in the construction of hotels, the creation of new routes and the development of transport, and the unique natural landscapes, including deserts, surpass similar territories in the UAE and Qatar in many characteristics.

"For Russians, traveling to Saudi Arabia can also be interesting from a religious point of view. Saudi Arabia is a center of Islamic pilgrimage, and the abolition of visas will allow Russian Muslims to touch the holy sites," said Tancura.

The agreement will have an equally significant effect on business. Simplification of entry will create favorable conditions for establishing business contacts. Now businessmen will be able to fly to the country without restrictions and not worry about the length of stay, which will have a positive impact on cooperation between the countries, she concluded.

Earlier on December 1, Russia and Saudi Arabia signed an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for holders of all types of passports. The parties also signed an agreement on cooperation on climate change and low-carbon development.

On November 27, the Russian government approved a draft agreement with Saudi Arabia on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for citizens of the two countries. The draft noted that citizens of the countries can continuously stay in the territory of another state without a visa for 90 days. It will also be possible to divide this period into several periods, but the total duration during one calendar year should not exceed the established period.

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