Russia Set to Introduce Visa-Free Access for Indian Tourists by 2025

By spring 2025, Russia plans to grant Indian tourists visa-free entrance, facilitating their travel to Moscow. This new strategy is expected to improve India-Russia tourism cooperation and expedite travel.

Visa-free travel is expected to start as early as spring 2025, meaning Indian tourists may soon be allowed to visit Russia without a visa. Evgeny Kozlov, the chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, recently announced this initiative, which is part of a calculated attempt to boost Indian travel to Moscow.

Visa-Free Travel to Russia

The visa-free travel plan is to increase travel from India, a major market for Russian tourism, and make Moscow more accessible to Indian tourists. Kozlov claims that this action will streamline travel and provide new opportunities for Indian tourists who are eager to experience Moscow’s diverse commercial and cultural offers.

The Increase in Travel to India

Moscow is attracting more and more Indian tourists. In the first half of 2024 alone, more than 28,500 Indian tourists traveled to the Russian capital, a 1.5-fold increase over the same period the year before. By the end of 2023, India has risen 26% from 2022 to become one of the top non-CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries for tourists visiting Moscow.

Key Highlights:

• 28,500 Indian visitors in the first half of 2024, according to visitor growth
• 1.5 times as many Indian visitors as there were at the beginning of 2023
• Top Market: India is the most popular non-CIS nation for travel to Moscow.
• Significant Increase: from 2022 to 2023, Indian tourist numbers increased by 26%.

Current E-Visa Process

Currently, Indian tourists can visit Russia by applying for an e-visa, which normally takes four days to process. With almost 9,500 e-visas granted to Indian nationals in 2023, India was one of the top five countries for e-visas to Russia. Even before the visa-free regime, there was a high level of interest, as seen by the 1,700 e-visas issued to Indian travelers in January 2024 alone.

Improving Relations Between Russia and India

The goal of this visa-free travel program is to strengthen India-Russian cultural and commercial relations. By making it simpler for Indian tourists to arrange hassle-free vacations to Russia, the new policy will promote greater travel and deepen ties between the two nations.

A More Easy Journey Is Awaiting

Indian travelers might anticipate a smooth trip to Russia with the possible implementation of visa-free travel in 2025. Moscow will become a popular travel destination for Indian tourists as a result of this project, which portends a bright future for more tourism and improved relations between India and Russia. As this fascinating development progresses, stay tuned for further updates.

Russia Unveils New Pathway for Temporary Residency

President Vladimir Putin recently approved a rule that streamlines the process for foreign nationals to obtain temporary residency in Russia. This new policy, which lowers application standards and provides a haven from Western rules, seeks to draw people who uphold traditional Russian values.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has made a historic decision by signing an order permitting foreign nationals and stateless people to apply for temporary residency in Russia. The proclamation, which provides a substitute for people fed up with Western policies, is largely seen as a reaction to the increasing tensions with Western nations.

Who Can Benefit?

The edict is directed at people who share the “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values,” as defined by the Russian government. It offers a haven for people trying to get away from the neoliberal ideology of the West.

Importance of the Residency Process Changes

• Application Process Simplified: The new policy greatly streamlines the application procedure. Language and Knowledge Requirements: Applicants are no longer required to demonstrate their familiarity with the Russian language, laws, or history. This is one of the main changes.
• No Quotas: There are no longer any customary quotas governing the number of temporary residency permits.

How to Obtain a Temporary Residence Permit

Outside the purview of the recent decree, foreign nationals who are interested in relocating to Russia must apply for a temporary residency permit. This is the initial step toward obtaining Russian citizenship and permanent residency.

Types of Temporary Residence Permits

• Study
• Employment
• Medical Purposes
• Family Reunification

Processing Time and Validity

• Processing Period: About 20 days
• Duration of Validity: Three Years

Required Documents

• A valid passport
• Unblemished criminal history
• Certifications of medical
• Negative HIV test results

How to Obtain Permanent Residency

Those with a two-year-old temporary resident permit can apply for permanent status. What you should know is as follows:

Permanent Residency Details

• Validity: Five years, renewable indefinitely.
• Benefits: Permanent residents are exempt from requiring new visas to travel or work.

Required Documents:

• A valid passport
• Evidence of income and housing
• Health coverage
• Rudimentary proficiency in the Russian language

Who Can Apply in 2024?

Who is eligible to apply for these permits is specified by Russia’s Immigration Law. Generally, candidates must show that they are knowledgeable about Russian legislation, history, and language. But there are several exclusions:

Among the exclusions are:

• People who are over 60 or under 18
• International pupils attending Russian universities
• Experts in disciplines with high demand
• Individuals with relatives in the former Soviet Union