India and Russia are in discussions to introduce a visa-free arrangement for Indian tourists, potentially starting in spring 2025. This follows talks in June about a bilateral agreement aimed at facilitating group tourist exchanges without the need for visas.
This move builds on India’s recent inclusion in Russia’s e-visa program, launched in August 2023, which allows Indian travelers to apply for visas online, typically processed within four days. In 2023, India was among the top five countries receiving e-visas, with 9,500 issued, representing 6% of the total.
While most Indian visitors to Russia travel for business, the number of Indian tourists to Moscow increased by 26% in 2023, with over 60,000 visitors. By early 2024, India had become the third-largest non-CIS country for business tourism, with nearly 1,700 e-visas issued in the first quarter.
Currently, Russia offers visa-free access to citizens from China and Iran, which has been successful. Russia is now looking to extend the same benefit to Indian tourists, recognizing the growing demand for travel between the two countries.
