Russia's Foreign Tourist Boom Hits 37% Growth in Early 2026
Russia has seen a sharp rise in foreign visitors, with arrivals jumping by 37% in January 2026 alone. Over the past two years, the number of tourists entering the country has grown by 1.5 times, reaching 5.6 million. This surge follows a series of new visa-free agreements with several nations. The push for easier travel began in 2025, when Russia secured visa-free deals with China, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. China's policy took effect on September 15, 2025, allowing Russian citizens to visit without a visa for up to a year. Talks are now underway to extend this arrangement until September 14, 2026.
Another agreement with Jordan was activated on December 13, 2025. Meanwhile, a mutual visa waiver with Saudi Arabia, signed on December 1, 2025, is expected to launch in the coming months. Russia is also in discussions with Malaysia, Bahrain, and Kuwait about potential visa-free travel. However, no concrete steps have been taken yet, and no other country has introduced reciprocal exemptions for Russian travellers. The government's goal is to attract 10 million foreign tourists annually, building on the recent growth in visitor numbers.
With visa-free access now in place for several key markets, Russia's tourism sector is expanding. The country's agreements with China, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have already boosted arrivals. Further deals could push visitor numbers even higher in the near future.
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