Russia to Introduce Visa-Free Travel for Indian Tourists in 2025

Russia plans to introduce visa-free travel for Indian tourists in spring 2025, aiming to boost bilateral tourism. This follows discussions that began in June 2024, alongside the successful implementation of e-visas for Indian travelers in August 2023. E-visas, issued to 9,500 Indians in 2023, have reduced processing times to four days. In 2023, over 60,000 Indians visited Moscow, marking a 26% rise from 2022. Russia already offers visa-free travel to China and Iran, prompting similar provisions for India. Visa-free access would enhance India's global mobility, already at 62 countries, while strengthening India-Russia cultural and economic ties.