Russia to introduce visa-free travel for Indian tourists beginning in 2025
Visa-Free Travel to Russia for Indian Tourists Starting in 2025
Russia plans to offer visa-free travel to Indian tourists starting in 2025, with the first group of visa-free tourists from India expected to arrive in Moscow by spring, according to a recent report by the *Economic Times* (ET). This initiative is part of Russia's efforts to strengthen tourism ties with India.
“The number of travelers from India visiting Moscow is anticipated to grow thanks to the agreement currently being developed,” stated Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
In June, Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, highlighted that Russia and India are actively working towards visa-free group tourist exchanges.
Understanding Visa-Free Travel
Visa-free travel allows tourists to enter a country without needing to apply for a visa beforehand. Visitors present their passports on arrival, simplifying the entry process and reducing costs. Currently, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries.
Growing Tourism in Moscow
Indian tourism to Moscow has seen a steady increase. Kozlov reported that in the first half of 2024, Moscow welcomed 28,500 Indian visitors—1.5 times more than during the same period in 2023. In 2023, India ranked among the top non-CIS countries visiting Moscow, with over 60,000 visitors—a 26% increase compared to 2022.
Business and work remain key reasons for Indians visiting Moscow. “India ranked third among non-CIS countries for business tourism in the first quarter of this year,” noted Kozlov. Moscow views India as a priority market due to their strong bilateral ties.
Visa Options and E-Visas for Indian Travelers
Since August 2023, Indian travelers have been eligible to apply for an e-visa, processed in about four days, for short stays of up to 16 days. Kozlov shared that India was among the top five countries for e-visa issuance, with 9,500 granted last year, making up 6% of all e-visas to Russia.
Russia’s existing tourist exchange program, which began in August 2023 with China and Iran, has been successful. Russia aims to achieve similar results with India through this new agreement.
Current Visa Options for Indians Visiting Russia
Indian travelers who still require a visa can choose from the following types:
- Tourist Visa: for sightseeing and leisure
- Business Visa: for professional events or meetings
- Private Visa: for visiting friends or family
- Work Visa: for employment
- Student Visa: for education in Russia
- E-Visa: for short-term stays in designated regions
Visa Processing Times and Fees
Processing times for Russian visas vary by type:
- Normal visas take approximately 2-3 weeks.
- E-visas are processed within four days.
Russian Visa Fees
- Normal Visa (Single Entry): Rs 6,480 (4-20 working days)
- Normal Visa (Double Entry): Rs 10,368 (4-20 working days)
- Normal Visa (Multiple Entry): Rs 19,440 (4-20 working days)
- Urgent Visa (Single Entry): Rs 12,960 (1-3 working days)
- Urgent Visa (Double Entry): Rs 20,736 (1-3 working days)
- Urgent Visa (Multiple Entry): Rs 38,880 (1-3 working days)
Through this upcoming visa-free travel initiative, Russia hopes to enhance its tourism connections with India and boost the number of Indian visitors to Moscow and other destinations.