As per the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tirana, Albania, Saudi citizens can now enter and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days without a visa, effective from May 1 to October 31, 2024. However, this visa exemption is only applicable to organized tourist groups that enter the country and depart on direct flights.
To facilitate the visa application process for Saudi tourists, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tirana, Albania, stated that visas can be obtained from diplomatic and consular posts in Montenegro. If reaching these posts is not feasible, applications can be submitted at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the visa exemption, Saudi tourists must present proof of payment for travel arrangements, an invitation letter from a tourist office in Montenegro, and evidence of their planned return to their home country. The Embassy also highlighted the growing economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Montenegro, citing a total exchange of goods worth €14.680 between January and September 2020, with exports amounting to €7.170 and imports totaling €7.510.
Previously, Saudi citizens enjoyed visa-free access to three Balkan countries, including Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro, until the end of 2023. From April 20, 2023, to December 31, 2023, citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Thailand were granted visa-free entry to Albania and Kosovo. Montenegro extended this visa exemption until October 31, 2023.
Regarding travel to North Macedonia, another Balkan country, Saudi citizens can enter with a valid Schengen visa, United States visa, United Kingdom visa, or Australian visa, provided it is a multiple-entry visa that has been previously used. As of May 2024, the Montenegrin passport ranks 76th in the world according to the VisaGuide Passport Index, allowing Montenegrin citizens visa-free travel to 96 countries worldwide. However, for entry into other countries, Montenegrin passport holders must obtain a visa in advance.
