The first visa-free tourist groups from India expected to reach Russia in Spring 2025.
According to a recent report by the Economic Times (ET), by Spring 2025, the first visa-free tourist groups from India are expected to reach Moscow. The relaxation in Russia visitor visa process for Indian nationals comes as Russia looks to boost tourist ties with India.
The Russia-India agreement on visitor visas is currently in the development phase. The agreement will lead to more travellers from India visiting Russia for tourism. Russia and India are all set for setting up visa-free group tourist exchanges between the 2 countries.
Visa-free travel means that you can visit a country without the need for getting a prior visa before boarding the airplane. You can enter the country with your passport and secure a visa upon arrival.
The visa-free process is simpler, quicker, and eliminates costs.
There are many countries that give visa free travel to Indians. However, the specific eligibility requirements differ from country to country.
As per official statistics revealed by Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, 28,500 Indians travelled to Moscow during January to June 2024. This was 1.5 times more when compared to the number of Indian travellers the same time last year.
Additionally, there were a total of 60,000 Indian visitors to Russia in 2023, registering a 26% increase when compared to 2022.
The primary reasons for Indian citizens visiting Russia are business and work-related trips. India was at the third place among non-CIS countries for business tourists in Q1 2024. India is considered to be among the priority markets by the Russian Government.
Here, by CIS is implied the Commonwealth of Independent States. There are 9 members of the CIS -
Mongolia has an observer status, while Turkmenistan has an observer status.
With visa-free travel for Indians to be introduced from Spring 2024, more Indians are expected to visit Moscow in 2024.
Russia has already begun visa-free entry for citizens of China and Iran since August 1, 2023. Now, the Russian Government is gearing up to grant Indians visa-free entry into Russia from 2024. Russia hopes to replicate its visa-free process success with China and Iran with Indian nationals.
There are many options available for Indian nationals that plan to visit Russia.
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Russian Visa Types Available for Indian Nationals |
|
|
Tourist visa |
For holiday, vacation, leisure travel, sightseeing |
|
Business visa |
For attending business meetings or conferences, taking part in professional events |
|
Private visa |
For visiting friends or family members living in Russia |
|
Work visa |
For employment opportunities |
|
Student visa |
To enter and stay in the country as an international student |
|
E-visa |
Specifically for short-term visits to particular regions on Russia |
The Russian visa fees will be as per the type of visa applying for.
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Russian Visa Fees for Indians in 2024 |
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|
Type of visa |
Number of entries permitted |
Cost in Indian Rupees |
|
Normal visa |
Single entry |
₹6,480 |
|
Normal Visa |
Double entry |
₹10,368 |
|
Normal Visa |
Multiple Entry |
₹19,440 |
|
Urgent visa |
Single entry |
₹12,960 |
|
Urgent visa |
Double entry |
₹20,736 |
|
Urgent visa |
Multiple Entry |
₹38,880 |
Between 2-3 weeks is the average processing time to secure a Russian visa from India. The specific Russian visa processing time will depend on the particular category and type of visa applying for.
A Russian E-visa is generally processed within 4 days. You can stay in Russia for up to 16 days with an e-visa.
The processing time will be as per the visa applied for. The average processing time for a Russian visa ranges from 4 to 20 working days.
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Russian Visa Processing Time for Indians in 2024 |
|
|
Type of visa |
Processing time |
|
Normal visa - Single entry |
4-20 working days |
|
Normal Visa - Double entry |
4-20 working days |
|
Normal Visa - Multiple entries |
4-20 working days |
|
Urgent visa - Single entry |
1-3 working days |
|
Urgent visa - Double entry |
1-3 working days |
|
Urgent visa - Multiple entries |
1-3 working days |
For many years, Russia was out of bounds under Soviet Rule. However, with the country now accessible, there has been a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Russia.
Top 5 reasons to visit Russia for tourism include -
With a rich history and tradition, Russia has much to offer history enthusiasts. For those interested in nature, Russia offers spectacular nature reserves. There are 26 UNESCO World Heritage sites across the country.
The architecture also is another major tourist attraction. Many visitors go to see the Moscow Kremlin, the most well-known fortress in Russia. There is a unique blend of diverse styles in Russian architecture.
With visa-free Russia travel to be introduced in early 2025, more Indians will visit Russia to explore the famous cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod.
The right planning ensures that you have a great trip without worrying about the visa process. Get expert guidance for the Visitor visa process for Indians. Free consultation available.