Indian Passport Holders May Soon Enjoy Visa-Free Travel to Russia by Spring 2025

Indian tourists could soon add Russia to their list of visa-free travel destinations as early as spring 2025. This move is expected to further strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two nations.

Since August 2023, Indian travelers have been eligible for e-visas to Russia, which are processed in just four days. Building on this development, discussions on a bilateral agreement to enable visa-free group tourist exchanges began in June 2023. Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, stated earlier this year that the process is nearing completion.

Moscow has been a popular destination for Indian tourists, with a significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years. In the first half of 2024, Moscow welcomed 28,500 Indian travelers—a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In 2023 alone, over 60,000 Indian visitors explored the Russian capital, marking a 26% rise from the previous year.

India also ranks high among non-CIS countries for business tourism in Russia, with Indian visitors contributing significantly to Moscow’s tourism economy. “India remains a priority market for Moscow tourism due to the robust and time-tested ties between the two nations,” said Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

Russia issued 9,500 e-visas to Indian travelers in 2023, making India one of the top five countries to benefit from Russia's streamlined visa process. With the upcoming visa-free travel agreement, the number of Indian visitors is likely to grow further, fostering closer economic and cultural connections between the two countries.