In a development that could further boost tourism between India and Russia, it has been reported that Indian travellers may soon journey to the Siberian country visa-free from spring 2025. According to reports, an agreement is currently being worked out, which is predicted to increase the number of travellers from India to Moscow, the Russian capital.
Previously, the Russian and Indian governments had hoped to start visa-free travel between the two countries by the end of 2024. A visa-free arrangement allows entry into a country without the need to apply for a visa in advance. Travellers have to present their passport upon arrival, making the process quicker and eliminating visa costs. Indian passport holders already enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries.
Moscow has been attracting more Indian visitors over the years. According to Evgeny Kozlov, the chairperson of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, in the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian travellers visited the Russian capital, a 1.5-fold increase from the previous year. India ranked high among non-Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, with over 60,000 visitors in 2023, a 26 per cent rise from 2022. The main reasons for Indian citizens visiting Moscow are business and work-related trips.
Currently, Indian travellers can visit Russia on a tourist visa (for leisure travel), a business visa (for attending professional meetings), a private visa (for visiting family and friends), a work visa (for employment opportunities), a student visa (for enrolling in educational institutions) and an e-visa (short-term visits to specific regions). Since August 1, 2023, Indian travellers have been able to apply for an e-visa, which takes about four days to be processed.
Russia already offers visa-free entry to citizens from China and Iran under its tourist exchange programme, which began on August 1, 2023, and has seen considerable success. The hope is to replicate this programme with India.
(With inputs from multiple news agencies)