Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to Sign Visa Exemption Agreement During Ankara Talks
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Diplomacy & Travel
ANKARA — Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a landmark agreement on Wednesday to ease or eliminate visa requirements for certain categories of travelers, most notably holders of diplomatic and special passports, as part of a broader effort to deepen ties between the two regional powers.
The agreement is expected to be finalized during the third meeting of the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council, which will be co-chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Ankara .
🛂 Agreement Scope and Details
According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the visa deal is expected to apply primarily to holders of diplomatic passports and special (or “green”) passports—the latter of which are issued to government officials, senior civil servants, and a limited group of businesspeople .
Some reports have also indicated that the agreement could be extended to cover holders of ordinary (burgundy) passports, though this aspect remains under discussion or may be implemented in phases . Turkish officials have confirmed that negotiations to further ease travel restrictions for all citizens could be part of a longer-term roadmap for bilateral relations .
🤝 Repairing Relations After Khashoggi Crisis
The visa deal represents a significant milestone in the normalization of relations between Ankara and Riyadh, which were severely strained following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul . Turkey had accused senior Saudi officials of orchestrating the murder, leading to a prolonged diplomatic freeze.
Since 2020, however, both countries have actively worked to repair ties. Turkey dropped its accusations of Saudi state involvement in the Khashoggi case and launched a broader diplomatic effort to mend relations with regional rivals . The relationship has since improved markedly, with high-level visits and the revival of the bilateral coordination council mechanism.
🏛️ The Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council
The Coordination Council, established in 2016 to institutionalize bilateral cooperation, oversees five subcommittees covering:
- Political and diplomatic affairs
- Defense and security
- Culture and tourism
- Social development
- Trade and investment
The council held its first meeting in Ankara in February 2017, followed by a second round in Riyadh in May 2025 . Wednesday’s meeting marks its third session and is expected to yield concrete deliverables beyond the visa agreement.
🌍 Regional Context: Iran War and Strait of Hormuz
Beyond bilateral issues, the two foreign ministers are expected to discuss the ongoing war with Iran and rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz .
According to a Turkish diplomatic source, Foreign Minister Fidan will reiterate Ankara’s commitment to “regional ownership” in addressing Middle East crises and will emphasize that developments in the Strait of Hormuz should not lead to “new tensions and provocations” .
Turkey has positioned itself as a key mediator in the Iran conflict, offering to facilitate ceasefire negotiations and maintain open channels of communication with all parties involved. The talks with Saudi Arabia are part of broader Turkish diplomatic efforts to coordinate positions with Gulf states amid the ongoing crisis.
📈 Strengthening Economic and Trade Ties
The visa deal is also expected to facilitate increased economic cooperation. Turkish construction companies, which have long been active in the Saudi market, stand to benefit from reduced bureaucracy . Additionally, Saudi investment into Turkey’s defense and technology sectors is expected to grow as political barriers are removed .
The Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council will also focus on bolstering bilateral trade volume, which has grown steadily since the diplomatic thaw began in 2021 .
🔮 What Comes Next
The agreement is scheduled to be signed on Wednesday, May 6, following the opening of the Coordination Council meeting in Ankara.
While the visa exemption for diplomatic and special passport holders appears finalized, both sides are expected to continue negotiations on further easing travel restrictions for other citizens, including ordinary passport holders, in future phases of the partnership .
The deal marks the latest step in the rapid realignment of Middle East diplomacy, as regional powers prioritize economic and security cooperation over past rivalries in the face of shared challenges, including the ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| What’s happening | Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to sign visa exemption agreement |
| When | May 6, 2026 (during Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council meeting) |
| Location | Ankara, Türkiye |
| Who’s involved | Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan (Türkiye) and Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Arabia) |
| Who benefits | Diplomatic and special (green) passport holders initially; ordinary passport holders may be included in future phases |
| Broader context | Part of ongoing rapprochement following 2018 Khashoggi crisis |
| Regional issues discussed | Iran war, Strait of Hormuz tensions, regional security cooperation |
| Next steps | Agreement to be implemented following signing ceremony |
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