Russia
Indian Tourists May Soon Travel to Russia Visa-Free by Spring 2025. Indian tourists may soon be able to visit Russia without a visa as early as spring 2025. This significant development comes as both nations aim to strengthen tourism ties and ease travel restrictions.
Currently, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries worldwide.
Progress on Bilateral Visa-Free Agreement
The momentum towards visa-free travel picked up in June 2024, when Moscow and New Delhi began consultations on a bilateral agreement for group tourist exchanges. Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, stated, “India is at the final stage of internal state coordination.” He further emphasized that the goal is to finalize the agreement by the end of the year.
This initiative follows the introduction of e-visas for Indian travelers in August 2023. These e-visas, processed within just four days, significantly simplified travel to Russia for Indian citizens. Last year alone, Russia issued 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, accounting for 6% of the total e-visas granted by Moscow. This places India among the top five countries receiving simplified travel access to Russia.
Rising Number of Indian Visitors to Russia
In recent years, Russia has witnessed a steady rise in Indian tourists. According to Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, 28,500 Indian travelers visited Moscow in the first half of 2024. This figure marks a 1.5-fold increase compared to the same period in 2023.
“In 2023, India ranked high among non-CIS countries for travelers coming to Moscow, with over 60,000 visitors. This represents a 26% increase compared to 2022,” Kozlov told Business Standards.
Business and Work: Major Drivers for Indian Visitors
Most Indian tourists visiting Russia travel for business or work. Kozlov noted, “India ranked third among visitors from non-CIS countries for business tourists in the first quarter of this year. Moscow considers India one of the priority markets due to the strong, time-tested ties between the two countries.”
Strengthening Cultural and Economic Ties
The introduction of visa-free group travel is expected to deepen cultural and economic relations between India and Russia. This agreement aligns with Moscow’s broader strategy to attract tourists from priority markets, including India.
With simplified travel procedures, Indian travelers will find it easier to explore Russia’s historic landmarks, vibrant cities, and scenic landscapes. As Russia moves closer to joining the list of visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders, both nations are poised to benefit from increased tourism and stronger bilateral ties.
