Come 2025, Indians may get to travel to Russia visa-free
By spring 2025, the first visa-free tourist groups from India are anticipated to visit Moscow, leading to a significant rise in Indian travellers. In 2023, India ranked among the top countries for visitors to Moscow, with business and work being t...
By Anumeha Chaturvedi, ET Bureau | Updated:
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New Delhi: By the spring of 2025, the first visa-free tourist groups from India are expected to travel to Moscow, a senior official told ET.
"It is predicted that thanks to the agreement, which is now under development, the number of travellers from India coming to the Russian capital will significantly increase," said Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
Kozlov said Moscow continues to attract travellers from India.
"In the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian travellers visited the Russian capital which is 1.5 times more than in the same period last year," he said.
"In 2023, India entered the list of leaders in terms of number of travellers coming to Moscow among non-CIS countries. Over the entire year, more than 60,000 travellers from India visited the Russian capital, which also exceeded the figures for 2022 by 26%, he added.The most popular purposes of travel to Moscow among Indian citizens are business and work-related reasons.
"In the first quarter of this year, India was in third place among visitors from non-CIS countries for the number of business tourists. India is considered by the Moscow authorities as one of the priority markets, taking into account its long-lasting and time-tested relationship with Russia," said Kozlov.
From August 1 last year, travellers from India can apply for an e-visa (it takes about four days to issue an e-visa).
"Last year, India entered the top five countries in terms of the volume of e-visas issued. In total, Indians were issued 9,500 thousand electronic visas, which is 6% of the total number of electronic visas received by foreigners to visit Russia, he said.
"In January of this year, Indian tourists were issued about 1700 electronic visas," he added.
Kozlov said the Russian capital with its year-round festivals, exhibitions, summits and conferences has become an 'important centre' for event and business tourism.
He has previously said Moscow would also like to attract more Indian weddings to Moscow.
Kozlov had previously said by 2030, Moscow plans to increase its hotel room stock by 25,700 rooms.
"It is predicted that thanks to the agreement, which is now under development, the number of travellers from India coming to the Russian capital will significantly increase," said Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
Kozlov said Moscow continues to attract travellers from India.
"In the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian travellers visited the Russian capital which is 1.5 times more than in the same period last year," he said.
"In 2023, India entered the list of leaders in terms of number of travellers coming to Moscow among non-CIS countries. Over the entire year, more than 60,000 travellers from India visited the Russian capital, which also exceeded the figures for 2022 by 26%, he added.The most popular purposes of travel to Moscow among Indian citizens are business and work-related reasons.
"In the first quarter of this year, India was in third place among visitors from non-CIS countries for the number of business tourists. India is considered by the Moscow authorities as one of the priority markets, taking into account its long-lasting and time-tested relationship with Russia," said Kozlov.
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From August 1 last year, travellers from India can apply for an e-visa (it takes about four days to issue an e-visa).
"Last year, India entered the top five countries in terms of the volume of e-visas issued. In total, Indians were issued 9,500 thousand electronic visas, which is 6% of the total number of electronic visas received by foreigners to visit Russia, he said.
"In January of this year, Indian tourists were issued about 1700 electronic visas," he added.
Kozlov said the Russian capital with its year-round festivals, exhibitions, summits and conferences has become an 'important centre' for event and business tourism.
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He has previously said Moscow would also like to attract more Indian weddings to Moscow.
Kozlov had previously said by 2030, Moscow plans to increase its hotel room stock by 25,700 rooms.
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