Indians may soon be able to travel to Russia visa-free, with plans for a new system set to begin in the spring of 2025. This initiative is part of a bilateral agreement between India and Russia aimed at easing visa restrictions and introducing visa-free group tourist exchanges.
Since August 2023, Indian nationals have been eligible for e-visas to Russia, with the process taking around four days for approval. In 2023, India ranked among the top five countries for e-visa issuance, with 9,500 e-visas granted to Indian travelers, reflecting growing interest in travel to Russia.
Currently, Indian nationals need a visa issued by the Russian Embassy or Consulates to enter, stay, and exit Russia. This process can be quite extensive. However, a significant change is on the horizon. As of 2023, more than 60,000 Indians visited Moscow, marking a 26% increase from the previous year. Business and official purposes continue to dominate the reasons for Indian travel to Russia. In the first quarter of 2024, India ranked third among non-CIS countries for business tourism, with over 1,700 e-visas issued.
Russia currently offers visa-free entry for travelers from China and Iran through its tourist exchange program. This initiative has been successful and Russia hopes to extend the same privilege to India. If successful, the new system could enhance tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.
India already enjoys visa-free access to 62 countries and ranks 82nd on the Henley Passport Index 2024. Indian passport holders can travel without a visa to popular tourist destinations like Indonesia, Maldives, and Thailand. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a visa.
Should the visa-free initiative be realized, it could significantly improve travel options for Indian tourists, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
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