Indians may soon be able to travel to Russia without a visa, as both countries are working on a new system set to begin in the spring of 2025. Earlier in June, it was reported that Russia and India were in talks to ease visa rules and allow visa-free group tourism exchanges.

According to a report by The Indian Express, Indian nationals have been able to apply for e-visas to travel to Russia since August 2023, with processing taking about four days. Last year, India was among the top five countries for e-visa issuance, receiving 9,500 e-visas for Indian travellers.

At present, Indian nationals must obtain a visa from the Russian Embassy or Consulates in India to enter, stay, and leave Russia. The process of getting this visa has been time-consuming and detailed. Most Indian visitors travel to Russia for business or official reasons. In 2023, over 60,000 Indians visited Moscow, marking a 26% increase compared to 2022.

The report says India ranked third among non-CIS countries for business tourism at the start of this year, with approximately 1,700 e-visas issued in the first quarter of 2024. Russia currently offers visa-free entry to travellers from China and Iran through its tourist exchange program, which has been successful. Moscow aims to introduce a similar program for India as well.

Visa-free countries for Indians

Currently, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 62 countries. Ranked 82nd on the Henley Passport Index 2024, an Indian passport allows visa-free access to popular tourist destinations such as Indonesia, Maldives, and Thailand.

The Henley Passport Index is based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). It assumes passport holders meet basic entry requirements, are adult citizens travelling solo, and are visiting for tourism or business purposes. The index excludes cases like diplomatic travel, emergency or temporary passports, and transit stays.