Russia and Jordan have officially signed a visa-free travel agreement, making short holidays between the two countries much easier for their citizens. The new deal allows travellers to skip the usual paperwork, fees, and airport queues for stays of up to 30 days.
Before the agreement, Russian tourists could enter Jordan with a visa on arrival, which cost 40 Jordanian dinars (approximately USD 56.42) and was valid for a single month. The same benefits extend to Jordanians heading to Russia, who previously had to apply in person at consulates with an invitation letter and supporting documents.
As reported by Gulf News, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed off on the mutual exemption, which allows travellers to stay visa-free for up to 30 calendar days at a time. The only condition? The total visit must not exceed 90 days within a year.
This visa-free agreement between Jordan and Russia comes at a time when Jordan’s tourism sector is on an undeniable high. In the first two months of 2025 alone, the country saw a 16.3 percent surge in tourism revenue, pulling in USD 1.28 million, according to the Central Bank of Jordan.
That boom was driven by an 18.5 percent increase in tourist arrivals, with spending by Jordanian expats up 12 percent, and American travellers alone contributing nearly 15 percent more than the previous year.
Russia, on its part, is adjusting its infrastructure, rolling out 1% tourist tax from 2025 to help fund local travel development, set to rise to 3% by 2027. Starting June 30, 2025, tourists entering Russia without a visa must also submit a digital pre-arrival application through the RuID mobile app, no later than 72 hours before arrival.
The app requires a photo, passport details, and trip information, and will generate a QR code needed at the border, where biometric data will also be collected.
