Indian Travelers to Explore Russia Visa-Free - News

Indian travelers may soon explore Russia without the hassle of a visa. By March 2025, Russia plans to introduce visa-free entry for Indian citizens, joining 62 other countries with similar status. The move follows discussions between the two nations in June to ease travel restrictions and foster stronger ties. Presently, Indians need visas for tourism, business, employment, study, etc. However, visa-free travel will enable travelers to get in with a passport (on arrival) only, cutting out the processes of visa and associated costs.

Moscow has already seen a growing interest from Indian visitors. As per Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman, Moscow City Tourism Committee, 28,500 Indians visited the Russian capital in the first half of 2024, which is 1.5 times as the figure for the similar period in the previous year. In 2023, India ranked high among non-CIS countries for visitors, with over 60,000 travelers—a 26 percent jump from 2022. Business tourism remains a key driver, with India ranking third in this category among non-CIS nations in early 2024.

For now, Indian travelers can use Russia’s Unified E-Visa (UEV) system, introduced on August 1, 2023. The UEV is processed within four days and is valid for single-entry travel across Russia for tourism, business, cultural, or sporting events. Applications can be made through the Consular Division of the Russian Embassy or nearby consulates. In addition to visa-free options, Russia is interested in further development of the tourism sector and increasing Indian tourist flow while strengthening cultural and economic relations with India.